Evening star., 1915-01-17

that harms them even more than it harms
their victims?"
The Captain looked bewildered. "If they
lose, that's their lookout. Anyway, gambling
is their business; same's helottery business.
@The lottery!7 blazed Father. II could
wreck that Infamous trade with my own
hands,"
4Wreck the lottery?" The Captain was
added now. @AIan, are you daft? Why,
the lottery is business, and grand big busi-
ness!7 He peered at Father suspiciously.
"Sir, you're a gentleman. You're not one
of those damn agitators! Wreck the lottery!
Next thing, you'll be forbidding us to own
slaves. Wreck the lottery. You'll want to
wreck the distilleries next"
Il would indeed! I'd break up every
business that swaps money for souls!'
Fathers voice shook.
The Captain wiped his sweating brow.
"You jest, Sir. How'd we till our soil with
out slaves? Tell me that! How'd we pay
our taxes without lotteries and grogshops!
This world has always had slaves and lot
teries and rum. It's always going to have
them. Can't run business without them"
"If believed that began Father.
RUT in that breath out rang shout of
anger. Up sprang one guest, brandlsh-
ing card.
You low-down sharper! You snealing
river rat!- His voice rose high above 4The
Blue Juniata" Look at that card, Boys!
l caught it off his knee. You houn' dog!
Cheating in gentleman's game"
The orchestra stopped short. Instantly the
room was in an uproar. Men shouldered to
the front, with a storm of excited questions.
They're playin us with a packed decls!'
ragged the young man, waving the card.
"Cheatin' right and left!'
He whirled, thrust his hand behind him.
There was cry, scuffie, then four pistol
shots thundered like cannon. With shiv-
ering crash the great mirror opposite fell
in splinters The room was a welter of
smoke and screams and panic.
Gentlemen, Gentlemen" The Captain
thrust forward. Remember the ladies!
Don't draw YOUR weapons, Gentlemen! Re
member the ladiesl"
The roomful swayed, caught at self-con-
troll. Another breath; the ring of men part
ed Three of the dandys shots had gone
wild The fourth had grazed the boy gam
ber's arm. He stood gripping the bleeding
wrist. He stood straight and tall, his eyes
cleaning with insolent laughter.
Nobody hurt, Gentlemen the Captain
beloved reassuringly. "Strike up the music,
Boys. Lively now!"
lie lGllSlOU lOOSGllSd ilC SlO"o J)otiSo,
irresolute. The negro leader, spotted ashy
with frigh ook up his bow. But before
note sounded my father had pushed to the
front.
Gentlemen all, beg your attention for
one moment
He stood in that ring of prosperous, citified
men, gaunt, awkward, old figure IN his
coarse, homemade clothes; his head was
fi,h, his gray hawk eyes afame.
Gentlemen, you have all witnessed this
disgraceful scene You know it is only by a
miracle that no lives were lost in this fray.
You know what these men are. Their busi-
ness in life is to cheat and to corrupt. 1 ask
you, Gentlemen, is it right that these men
should remain another hour aboard the
Matte Lee?'
There was a dead silence. The great
roomful stared at Father. Curious, super
cilious, hostile, felt those scores of eyes as
if they burnt on my own flesh. Tall, un-
calmly, silent, Father stood before them, as
utterly alone as if he stood upon another
planet.
THEN, like wind through leaves, great
! signing breath went through the cabin.
Three or four gentlemen pushed to my
fathers side.
al agree with you, Sir. r."-aAnd I."-@And
I."-"These men should be put ashore at