The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-03
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY
The North Point Law
b. ARcHEY CAMERON NEW.

- UNSTABLE MATTHEWS stood
at the door OF his little thatch.
~ ed cottage and shifted inquisit-
lively at the air, when broad smile OF
contentment beamed on his wide,
happy face and his keen gray eyes
twinkled.
Gosh, but this weather's fine" he
exclaimed to himself, and then his
glance strayed down the road toward
the town store and large group OF
) men standing in front Of it. plan
/. MIN some parade, reckon" And
then he sauntered forth toward the
q store but not on police business. In
fact, Sam Matthew seldom went any
where on police business-because
that business was exceedingly dull at
North Point.
"Hlo, Sam" greeted some Of the
men in front OF the store, as the Of
ficer hove into view. Gonna pinch
some snuff?'
The joke was the Oldest in North
Point, but Sam hesitated at the store
steps and grinned amiably.
mo, Just pluggin' along" he coun-
tered, humorously, as he pointed to an
empty Jaw, usually filled with quid.
And then, as he turned his back on
the crowd of men and was about to
enter the store, name came to his
ears that brought him up short.
.Classon!" Always name to be
reckoned with, unused SAM, as he
peereds across the bridge toward Par
ksboro "A name either feared, hated
or loved, according TO circumstances.
To be feared or hated, when the owner
of the big mills at Parksboro was
mentioned. Nearly so per cent OF the
men at North Point drew Classon
Wooden Mills pay envelopes-and
nearly 80 per cent. OF them hated the
owner cordially. For he was hard
taskmaster and thoroughly selfish.
sn gazed alphabetically toward
his group of fellow townsmen as he
thought Of Classon's latest offense
against his workers. refusal TO in
stall a co operative lunch room where
they might get their lunches at cost.
And thinking OF lunches, Sam smiled
reminiscently sighed as he thought OF
the bright, captivating and minister
ing little angel-who also bore the
name OF Classon.
How. many OF those men, unused
Sam tenderly, took slices, of chicken,
bits Of luscious fruit and the like in
their lunch boxes = borne to their
women folks by Dorothy Classon.
Dorothy was so unlike her father in
every way as to make North Pointers
forget she was Classon-generous
to her finger-tips, lovable to her
slipper tips, and democratic to "a
fault.
Sam listened to the wrangling for
few minutes listlessly-for it was
all too well known to him-and was
about to enter the store when a
dominant voice in the group arrest
ed his attention, and he crouched in
4 the dark of the porch to listen un-
seem What he heard. chilled every
fiber Of his body.
They couldn't do this thing, he
gasped, as he crouched lower, listen
ing intently. And use him, Sam
Matthews, as tool for, their pur-
poses-impossible! 1t was all very
we'll to hate Classon, to denounce
him, revile him, IL they would-but
this thsng-br-r-r, he shuddered.
And then he sorrowfully realized
that they were right-they could use
him-he was their constable, sworn
to uphold the law.
Without entering the store, he
waited until the crowd dispersed to-
ward their homes. in whispering
groups, before he dragged his listless
steps up the road toward his home.
The moon had risen and threw its
silyery ray against the silver OF his
mottled, downcast head, as he stood
at his front gate, wrapped in IN
happy reflection.
And then, after few minutes. he
heard footsteps at his back, crunch
ing on the gravel path. They were
coming after him-after their con-
stab1e--to make him do his duty.
He hung his head and slightly
turned his face toward the house.
Then he breathed easier, for the
footsteps again receded up the street
and he looked up, then was startled.
He recognized the couple. 1t was
Dorothy, and he noted regretfully
her happy profile as she leaned on
her escorts arm and smiled into his
face. Sam knew OF the romance of
this couple and his warm old heart
had rejoiced as, for months past,
he had seen the girl stray past his
home on the arm Of George Fulton,
the young assistant superintendent
IN iUuG 1uHlo. "A llue IudlCu, ue dSTSeu.
Fulton had fought his way through
the mills to the position he now
held--pe perhaps the only one besides
Dorothy who commanded a civil word
from the elder Classon. Before this
might he had gazed fondly at the
picture of Fulton's dark handsome
head against the golden head OF Dor
othy as they strolled through North
Point.
ID Sam shuddered now, and then ne
gazed apprehensively toward the
store. No one was in sight. Perhaps
1t wasn't too late-yet. He might
avert trouble after all And no COM
plant had yet been made to him as
an officer.
He followed the pair stealthily,
and then, as Dorothy entered the
gate of Mrs. Waters, the widow of
an old mill employee, Sam noted that
Fulton waited for her. He ,quickened
his step and, passing Fulton with
barely a nod, hurried up the walk
and rang the bell.
: "G'd eyenin', Mrs. Waters he
greeted the widow briefly as she ad-
mitted him. And then. noting Dor-