Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1913-05-30

story. The deep-set eyes of the man
addressed twinkled a little y have
a good notion to tell you lads a story;
l just heard you talking among your
selves that this was a day of the
young man, and that old fellows would
have to take a back seat Now, I'll
tell you an experience of mine that
may help YOU TO see light"
He leaned forward. Just twenty
years ago tonight l was sitting with
the sheriff of a jail in place that
won't be mentioned. Let it suffice to
say that we had in that Jail a criminal
who had committed an atroeious
crime, against whose life the people
around had sworn revenge.
1T was growing on towards evening
"a dark, quiet night. A young cap
tain of militia, the sheriff, and vet
eran of the Civil war. the commander
of company of veterans, were there
In the place.
1.-The old sheriff said to the militia
commander, 'Breen, IL they start to
rush us. caA you and your men hold
them orr
"Breen laughed, Well, / should say
30. We're right on the job! These
old buildings are surrounded by my
men, and they won't get any nearer
than ten PAGES
Then Colonel Reed, the veteran,
company could be of use, let me
know
-Breen stared at him, then roared,
Well, that's good one! You old fell
lows couldn't keep up steam enough
to GET down here--Great Caesarl What
an ideal
The gray4haired soldier stiffened.
My young friend, we aren't as young
as weeased to be--we have been there;
and every man of us has driven bay
onet home; and up at the old quarters
we have our stuff ready. Sheriff, If
you need help, send
THE two older men shook hands.
THE hight air brought the low muir
muir of voices all around the Jail
buildings They listened, then the
sheriff spoke up. What they will try
to do is to rush the front door, and
probably they will try to set fire to
the outer buildings. You will have
to keep your men on the alert.
"Breen went out and around the line
of his men. They were nervous, that
he could see. Across the street. and
all around the Jail at a distance the
groups of men we're coming thicker:
now and then a louder voice than tine
others spoke up threateningly. Slow
~ but surely the demon of revenge
and hate was bringing his forces to-
gether.
"At one place where he had posted
two men, he found no one He recalled
who they were, and realized that both
men undoubtedly had relatives in the
mob that was gathering. But he felt
sure of most of his men.
AS he turned to go in again, he
heard the sound of thick rustling;
a sharp cry split the night; voice of
warning answered, and he heard a
rifle speak; then bediam broke loose.
A scattering rife fire broke the medley
of yells, followed by a derisiYe,
screaming shout A group of shad-
ows started toward him; he fired into
their midst; they came on. A man,
one OF his men, seized him-'Come.
get insidel they've got usi'
''In spite Of his struggles Breen was
drawn in. and the heavy door
slammed; as it closed an avalanche
seemed to strike il, and muffled, inhu-
man yelis went up outside.
From his small upper window
Breen looked out; the crowd had with
drawn from the jail; but he knew 1t
was to plot further mischief.
Suddenly there was an ominous
crackle; sharp yell went up, hide
GUS, screeching. then a stream OF
fame mounted. lighting the night like
a great torch; then Breen saw what
VAS up, they were preparing 10 batter
down the great door. They had some
thing large In their midst-looksd like
a great log.
He hurried down to where the old
sheriff was standing before the cell
OF the prisoner. grim, silent, logged.
As Breen started TO shout what he
had seen, something struck the door
with a terrific crash; sound went up
like the bowling of wolves.
"'You stay here. Breen with me-
the rest OF 'em have beat it,
"Breen saw In the old mans eyes
the challenge that questioned his man