River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1915-05-20

value of the disguised officers pres
ence with them.
Think OF it, Mr.. Townley," he said
to his brother minister, "the fact that
this guide of ours is an officer of the
law in Bronson assures these dive
keepers that the visit means no dam
ger to them. Think of it! Anarchy
organized into government here in
Bronson. Lawlessness protected by
law"
Hush" cautioned the police officer
They approached a house which looked
desolate and deserted from the outside.
The policeman knocked with four sin
gle taps. There was no response. The
knock was repeated. Slowly and more
cautiously than in the former instance
the door was opened. "Hello, rummy,"
said the policeman to the fellow at the
door, pushing him aside and walking
into the hall. The man seemed little
in doubt and tried to shut the door in
the officers face.
None of that" said the policeman
sternly. pulling a revolver with his
right hand and pulling back his coat
with the left
At the sight Of the star the mans
confidence was restored, 9nd he said,
1--WE have to be mighty careful for
awhile, as lots of our friends have gone
daft since Billy Sunday was here"
Lending the way into the inner room.
he ushered the investigators OF Bron-
sons night revelries into a large well
lighted place, fitted up with all the fix
lures needed in gambling games. Sew
eral of the tables were empty, but
there was fair crowd present.
The policeman seated himself at one
of the tables. motioning to his COM
panions to do likewise, and the four
men sat down and gaZed around. The
door man was somewhat suspicious as
he looked at the quartette. especially
since he could not recognize the wearer
OK the star.
whats your name?" he asked the
officer in a doubtful tone Of voice.
None of your business" was the
curt reply.
Allan Rutledge shuddered as he look.
ed at the votaries of Americas nation.
al sin. He remembered wildly some
Of the burning words of Mr.. Sunday.
who knows so we'll the actual life Of
the average American. 1t was during
the evangelist's we'll known sermons on
'AmuSementS," in which he denOunc-
ed the modern dance as the mother OF
wantons and the fashionable card party
as the starting point for the gambler.
Il am more afraid of your fashionable
card party" the evangelist had shout
ed, "than | am OF the bunch in the
gamblers hades. If my boy is not
tempted to gamble at fashionable
card party he will never learn from
the degenerate. blackleg gamblers in
the joint. You have no right TO find
fault with the city officials" Billy
Sunday declared, If they fail to sup
press gambling when n thing SO near
akin to 1t Is carried on in your own
homes. Society as it is constituted to-
lay in America is doing more to damn
The spiritual life Of the churches than
all the grogshOps and dives in the
land"
The doortender was becoming very
uncomfortable. He saw Reginald Mel
son making notes, and his fears were
finally confirmed when one Of the play
ers, happening TO look toward the four
men, exclaimed, What are those -
preachers doing hereW
'Squealers, squealers" yelled the
fellow, arousing the players and point
ing to the investigators.
A number Of guns flashed in the
hands Of the startled men, and Allan
Rutledge feared that there was dan
ger. He was about to speak to the
excited gamblers when the policeman
carelessly threw the lapel of his coat
back and cried: shut up, sir, or | will
have your Joint pulled! Don't you
know this star tells you that we are
all right? If you treat officers like this
we will raise the rent on your!
The policeman arose and the others
with him, and they made for the door.
Allan Rutledge was the last to pass
out. AS he was shutting the door the
crack Of gun was heard, and bullet
splintered the top of the door. The lit
tie party proceeded hastily TO the
street, the policeman hurrying in front
"a lot Of cutthroats in that gang" he
declared "This is one Of the joints
that ought to be closed In the interests
of public safety"
In silence the little company made
their way to the Courier office. Inc
policeman slipped away, and the three
friends sat in silence for few mo-
ments. I'VE now have the information
we desired. We are witnesses or the
actual conditions fostere0 by Bud Nc
Crea's policy" 1t was Reginald Mel
son who spoke. Allan Rutledge arous-
ed himself. Bronson shall be clean!
he exclaimed almost ferceiy. Let us
think over what we have seen ana
beard for a few days, and then we
can formulate plan Of campaign"
The report Of the strange tour OF the
so1P opnointad investigators spread