The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-09-09

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, I am so glad you have got
home safe!" she exclaimed They
have been here"
Who has been here?" questioned
Grifiiths.
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 ultimatum."
Yes. 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.
IL you don't give way"
mot an inch!" pronounced Grit
fths, determinedly.
Then. sir, don't show yourself on
the streets. The mob is drunk and
ugly, and bound to do you up II you
don't grant that license"
Grif1ths 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 Griffiths proceed
ed quietly to his office. He had
heard of a wild debauch at the tav-
ern and Of this imported bravo, Giant
Gabe, and his gang. 1t seems they
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 convivialists Of the evening
previous were, it seemed, sleeping off
the effects Of their debauch during
the morning. Just after noon, how
ever. as Griflths was crossing the
public square he saw hooting, strag-
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.
Griflths doubted not that this was
Giant Gabe. Urged by the crowd he
hustled along to the spot where Grit.
fiths had halted. He squared of 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-I eat 'em!"
Giant Gabe glared horribly. leaped
up two feet in the air and cracked his
heels together.
"Dnawite!" he roared-"I sleep
over q box Of IT."
Calmly Grifflths 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 a
tenderfoot, I'm going to wipe you out
with one whack!"
Swish! Giant Gabe struck out, but
Grifnths lodged. Then up came his
fist. The burly bully lay in a 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 q revolver, grabbed him
by one ear.
you great hulking bluffer!" she
cried. You'd shoot at the unarmed
man. Ell? There! and there! and
there!" and she cuffed him scundly.
Know who this man is?" she de-
manded, pointing to the mayor Hes
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
a pigmy.
An hour later word went out from
Giant Gabe to his adherents to return
to their homes. To the rebellious
hometown mob Gabe sent other word,
that II any further move was made
against the new mayor he would
wade in and clean out the crowd, tav.
ern and ALL"
So Nancy, wife Of Giant Gabe, saved
the day, and Tplliver Gulch settled
down into responsibility. and its may
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