The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-03-13
she might as we'll have been talking
over a dead wire.

SUt as "NAA D~'
over a dead wire.
One man alone against the tide
rather, the man who has seen tide
rise at his orders now finding all It's
sweep against Misunderstanding, accus-
toned to have millions of men move
at his command, found himself, one
man out of the millions, still and help
less while they moved of their own I'M
pulses.
AS news Of positions lost came In,
he could only grimly repeat, "Holu!
Tell them to hold" fruitlessly, like ad-
jurations to the wind to cease blowing.
The bell of the long distance kept
ringing unheeded. until at last his aide
came to say that the premier must
I speak either to him or to the vice
chief. Westerling staggered TO MS
feet and with lurching steps went INTO
the closet. There he sank down on the
chair in a heap, staring at the teie-
phone mouthpiece. Again the bell rang
Clenching his hands in rocking ef
| fort, he was able to stiffen his spine
once more as he took down the re-
ceiyer. To admit defeat to the pre-
mier-no, he was not ready tor tna'
yet.
THE truth is out!" said the premier
without any break In his voice anu
with the fatalism Of one VINO never
allows himself to blink fact. Ieieg-
raphers at the front who got our OF
touch with the staff were still in toucn
with the capital. Once the reports De-
gan to come, they poured in-decima-
ton of the attacking column, panic
and retreat in other portions OF me
line-chaos!"
Its a lie!" Westerling declared
vehemently.
THE news has reached the press,
the premier proceeded. Editions are
already in the streets"
What! Where is your censorship"
gasped Westerling.
1T is helpless, straw protesting
against a current" the premier re-
piled. "A censorship goes back to
physical force, as every law does IN
the end-to the police and the army;
and all, these days, finally to public
opinion. After weeks of secrecy. of re-
ported successes, when nobody really
knew what was happening, this sudden
disillusioning announcement OF the
truth has sent the public mad"
TT Is your business to control the
public!" complained Westerling.
with what, now? With speech or
, a lullaby? AS we'll could you stop the
retreat with your naked hands. My
: business to control the public, yes, but
not unless you win victories. / gave
YOU the soldiers. We have nothing but
: police here, and tell you that the pub
: lie is in mob rage-the whole public,
bankers and business and professional
q men included. / have just ordered the
+ stock exchange and all banks closed"
There's a cure for mobs!" cried
Westerling. Let the police fire few
= volleys and they'll behave"
Would that stop the retreat Of the
army? We must sue for peace"
e Sue for peace! Sue for peace when
r. we have five millions against their
e three!"
e 1T seems so, as the three millions
e are winning!" said the premier.
8 Sue for peace because women &c
3. hysterical? Do you suppose that the
d Browns will listen now when they
s think they have the advantage? Leave
IS peace to me! Give me forty-eight hours
A. more! have told our troops to holt
8, and they will hold. l don't mistake
If cowardly telegraphers' rumors To-
D. facts"
g Pardon me a moment" the premie
Of interrupted. 81 must answer a loca
j. CALL" So astute a man OF affairs a.
he knew that Westerling's voice, storm
r ing, breaking, tightening with effort a
W control, confirmed all reports Of dis
le aster. "In fact, the crockery is broker
&c for you and for mel" said the pre-
In mier when he spoke again. His LII
es had been a gamble and the gamble ha
e turned against him in playing for
&c great prize There was an admirabl
"a stoicism in the way he announced tn
e. news he had received from the locs
81 call: "The chief of police calls me u
a to say that the uprising is too vast 70
oy him to hold. There isn't any muffin!
IT. but his men simply have become
ne part of public opinion. A mob Of won
en- and children is starting for the pa
a. ace to ask me what have done wit
KS their husbands, brothers, sons. and 4
no theirs. They won't have to break in
ou find me. I'm very tired. I'm ready.
lc- shall face them from the balcony. Ye
Westerling. you and have achieved
Ill place in history, and they're far mol
ny bitter toward you than me. Howeve
r! you don't have to come back"
mo, don't have to go back! N
ut I was not to go back IL failed!" sa
ne Westerling dizzily.
tut CTO BE COETINUED)