Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-01-17

not murder. He's had shady past
here, as this court will know If 1t
keeps a record"
whats this hear about you, Bo?
Get up and speak for yourself" said
Longstreth, gruffiy.
Snecker got up, not without fur
tive glance at Duane, and he had
shuffied forward few steps toward
the mayor. He had an evil front, but
not the boldness even Of a rustler.
ut amt so. Longstreth." he began.
loudly. II went in Laramie's place
fer grub. Some Teller | never seen
before come In from the hall an hit
Laramie an wrastled him on the floor.
went out. Then this big ranger
!. chased me an fetched me here. I
didn't do nothin'. This rangers hank
erin to arrest somebody. Thet's my
bunch, Longstreth."
Longstreth said something In an
undertone to Judge Owens, and that
worthy nodded his great busky head.
..Bo, you're discharged" said Long
streth. bluntly. 'Now the rest Of you
clear out Of here"
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
That was his rebuff to Duane-his
slap in the face to an interfering
ranger service. II Longstreth was
crooked he certainly had magnificent
nerve. Duane almost decided he was
above suspicion. But his noncha-
lance, his air Of finality, his authOrit-
alive assurance these to Duane's
keen and practised eyes were in sig
nificant contrast to certain tense
ness OF line about the mouth and q
slow paling of his olive skin.
Then the prisoner, Snecker, with a
cough that broke the spell Of silence,
shuffled couple Of steps toward the
door. 4
Hold on" called Duane. The call
halted Snecker, as II it had been q
bullet.
..Longstreth, l saw Snecker attack
Laramie said Duane, his voice still
ringing. "What has the court to say
to that?"
.aThe court has this to- say. West
/. OF the Pecos well not aid any ranger
service. We don't want you out here.
Fairdale doesn't need yon."
THAT'S a lie, Longstreth," retorted
Duane. 'Tve letters from Fairdale
citizens all begging for ranger serv-
ice"
Longstreth turned white. The veins
corded at his temples. He appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at
. loss for quick reply.
Floyd Lawson rushed In and up to
the table. The blood showed black
and thick In his face; his ,utterance
was incoherent, his uncomfortable
outbreak OF temper seemed ont Of al
proportion to any cause he should
reasonably have had for anger. Long
slfeth showed him back with curse
and . warning glare
where's your warrant to arFeee
Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
Il don't need warrants to make
arrests. Longstreth, you're ignorant
Of the power OF Texas Rangers"
.You'll come none Of your. damned
ranger stunts out here. I'll block
you" ss
That passionate reply Of Long
streth's was the signal Duane had
been waiting for. He had helped ON
the crisis. He wanted to force Long
streth's hand and show the town his
stand.
Duane backed clear Of everybody.
men! I call on you ALL" cried
Duane, piercingly. II call on you to
witness the arrest Of q criminal pre-
vented by Longstreth, mayor Of Fair
dale. 1t will be recorded in the re-
port to the Adjutant- General at
Austin. Longstreth, you'll never pre-
vent another arrest"
Longstreth sat white with working
jaw.
"Lopgstreth." said Duane, in voice
that carried far and held those who
heard. "Any honest citizen of Fair
dale can now see what's plain. In
the two years you've been mayor
you've never arrested one rustler.
Strange, when Fairdale's nest for
rustlers You've never sent a prison
er to Del Rio, let alone to Austin.
You hive no Jail. There have been
nine murders ldaisag your office