The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1915-09-16
and support that Grifiths had been

but a bed of roses. The rough ele-
ment of the Gulch was opposed to in
novations. Defeated at the polls, they
went about cross-grained and venge-
full There were mutterings of dis
content and yelled threats. The out
cast element, however, feared the
law, and the dignity and determine
ton Of the judge had SO far prevented
any serious outbreak.
Grifiths reached the Gulch just aft
er dark AS he passed the Red Beav
er tavern he caught the echoes of
some wild jubilation. He learned its
cause when he reached home His
landlady looked frightened and agi-
tated
"Oh, am so glad you have got
home safe!" she exclaimed. They
have been here"
who has been here?" questioned
Griffiths.
1.-THE committee from the rustlers.
It's about renewing the license of the
dance hall. SIR"
Il answered them once" spoke Crit.
fiths, his lips setting firmly. They
have had my u,timatum."
Eyes, sir: but they threaten big
row. They had Giant Gabe with them,
and his gang 1t seems they've hired
him to come here and upset the town.
if you don't give way"
mot an inch!" pronounced Grit
fiths, determinedly.
Then, sir, don't show yourself on
the streets. The mob is drunk and
ugly, and bound to do you up If you
don't grant that license"
Griffiths paid no attention to this
warning. He felt it beneath his dig
nifty. He called upon Velma that
same evening. Her father was seri-
GUS and she anxious over the situa-
ton. Neither, however, attempted to
influence him to recede one step from
his fixed position regarding the carry
ing out of the law.
The next morning Griff1ths proceed
ed quietly to his Office. He had
heard Of wild debauch at the tav-
ern and of this imported bravo, Giant
had appeared in similar circumstances
as hirelings to help the half-subdued
rowdy element of the towns voting for
reform, hoping to intimidate the
champions of the new movement.
The conviyialists of the evening
previous were, it seemed, sleeping off
the effects of their debauch duriag
the morning. Jsst after noon, how
ever, as Griff1ths was crossing the
public square he saw hooting, stray
Cling mob pouring out through the
doors of the tavern.
AT their head was a red-shirted,
brawny-fisted fellow over six feet in
height and viciously intoxicated.
Griff1ths doubted not that this was
Giant Gabe. Urged by the crowd he
hustled along to the spot where Crit
fiths had halted. He squared off in
front of him, egged on by his turbu.
lent cohorts.
You're the mayor, they tell mel"
he beloved. well, I'm nominated
by the people to protect their liber-
ties. Rattlesnakes-1 eat 'em!"
Giant Gabe glared horribly, leaped
up two feet in the air and cracked his
heels together.
"Dnawite!" he roared-T sleep
over box of i'll"
Calmly Griffiths regarded the
mouthy demagogue, but planted firm
ly. his glance noting every movement
of the raging bully.
Powder and shot-my chewing
gum! You goody-doody specimen of
tenderfoot, I'm going to wipe you out
with one whack!"
Swish! Giant Gabe struck out, but
Grifiths lodged. Then up came his
fist The burly bully lay in heap at
his feet.
None of that, you big coward"
A woman's rasping tones uttered
the words. She shot through the
crowd, and as Giant Gabe tugged at
his belt for revolver, grabbed him
by one ear.
you great hulking bluffer!" she
cried. You'd shoot at the unarmed
man, Ell? There! and there! and
lueIe! anu Suo CuuSu uilA oouAuiy'
Know who this man is?" she de-
manded, pointing to the mayor. He's
the man who saved all our valuable
papers when our old shanty burned
down. march,"
Giant Gabe struggled to his feet
and slouched away from the spot.
Most of the crowd roared with laugh
ter The tiny woman dominated the
great rugged giant as though he were
pigmy.