Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 551 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“ Whereas, a certain class of citizens have hereto- fore had exclusive control in all way, shape and manner, thereby monopolizing all public offices, and the benefits accruing therefrom, and ruling the people tothe detriment of the gentlemen in this place assembled: * Resolred, that we, the people, now request and demand that the party in power do stand aside for the space of one year, yield their claim to the use of ti whole earth, and give somebody else a show; and, ** Resolved, that if our just and proper request is not grantee, we will mak> Rome howl, and place a candidate of our own choosing in the mayor’s chair, even though we fight our way there with revolver and knife; and, ** Resolve’, that Nathan Bradley, Thad Johnson and August Pahckakoff be appointed a committee to wait upon Judge Abram Brackett to make known our demands.”’ Tiere the document ended, though enough resolutions were suggested to have used up all the stationery at Jack’s Delight, had they been adopted. They were only declined because they were practically repetitions of what had already been put on paper. : A year before Jack’s Delight had left its swaddling garments, emerged from a state where every man was a law to himself, and elected a judge, a mayor and divers other offi- cers. The term of the former was fixed at three years, while that of fhe mayor and his subordi- nates was limited to one year, The place had a by-far-too large population of Troughs, but the better cJass of citizens out- numbered them, voted together and elected as mayor aman who received not ®ne vote from the rougher part of the voters. The latter received no recognition whatever, and during the ensuing eleven months they meditated on their alleged wrongs, studied on the future and grew angry o Judge Brackett they could not disturb in his Official position, as his term was not half com- ipleted, but they were resolved to supplant _ | Mayor Elijah Nicholson with one of their own clique. By common consent the two factions had become known as the Blacks and the Reds, The first class was composed of ps citizens, many of whom wore garments of fair quality, nd their name arose from the fact that the judge and the mayor always dressed in black, ‘On the other band, the rougher element ulti- mately wore red shirts toa man, thereby making ‘their name equally appropriate. When the Reds passed the foregoing resolu- tions it was not empty campaign talk, They ;were ominously in earnest, They had determined that Nathan Bradley, their leader, should be the next mayor; their numbers did not admit of their electing him by the mere force of votes; so they were determined that the Blacks should refrain from putting a candidate in the field, give the minority the offices for a year, and let ‘them run things to their hearts’ content; or to inaugurate a state of affairs which should be the French Révolution over again, as far as disre- gard of law and good citizenship was concerned. Tue meeting did not adjourn, but remained in session while the committee went to call upon Judge Brackett and request his co-operation, Nathan Bradley, who headed the committee, and was the Reds’ candidate for mayor, was a fit leader of bis party. He had a degree of education; could assume the manners of a entleman; was possessed of a measure of good ooks; and his thirty years’ experience with the world had made him shrewd, cool, and, in a certain way, capable. No more could be said in his favor. He was thoroughly unscrupulous, and was with congenial spirits when among the Thad Johnson’ had no redeeming trait. He |. was big, burly, ignorant, cunning and lawless— an undesirable man to have in any community. August Pahckakoff was a man of foreign na- tivity who, even since his birth, had been ina state of rebellion against all things and all men. Too lazy to work, he hated those who did, whether they had a million dollars, or only one dred dollars back of them. He had been an tor in the Old World until it became too ot for him; he had aired his ideas freely in cago until compelled to move on; and, finally, in the broad arena of the Far West, he was around at a remarkable rate, ad- vocating the cause of labor against capital, but never working, himself. There was only one good thing to be said about him—bis ease of the English language was so limited that he could with difficulty be understood, and, con- sequently, was less an annoyance to honest men, whether they were rich or 4 These three men marched toward Judge Brackett’s house. “Tl bet we git left,” observed Johnson, “* Get left! Why so?” Bradley asked. “You know what a stubborn galoot the jedge is,” ‘ ** And you know we mean business.” **T don’t forgit the jedge’s ae “Grit can be got away with.” “You see how Brackett will talk!” “T can bend him like a green twig. ‘You don’t know my power. Our resolutions were all right, and capable of scaring a common man- ** Which the jedge ain’t.” “Which he is not,” calmly agreed Bradley. | ** All the same, I shall make hira meek enough, I shall, if necessary, tackle him on personal | grounds.” ‘** What d’ye mean by that?” ‘You folks here don’t know much about Abram Brackett. You see him in bis official position, dealing out decrees without mercy, and with a bulldog will that has made you fel- lows nickname him ‘The Iron Judge;’ you see him with a beautiful wife and a blind daughter; but what more do you know about the family?” ‘‘T know Garry Kean is sweet on the blind al.” ‘Drop Garry Kean!” exclaimed Bradley, with mauifest irritation. ‘‘He is a strolling actor who would be in prison if he had his rights; a dandy, who hasan undue measure of popularity because he played Mare Antony here like a routing novice, and got into a quar- rel which, without ary good reason, gave him the sobriquet of ‘The Man with Backbone.’” Jobnson winked sagely. ** You don’t like him, Brad.” **T do not, and you know it!” Mr. Bradley spoke sharply, emphasizing his confession, ** Wal, what about the Iron Jedge? You say we don’t know him here,” . ‘Right! yon don’t. J do! I tell you, Thad, there is a wer to the Iron Judge’s heart, and it is through his blind daughter, Alice. The shadows of the past fall upon him and the girl, and I krow all about it.” ‘* What's the secret?” Thad asked, eagerly. Bradley smiled craftily. ‘‘ Whatever it is, I shall use it to down Brack- ett.” The speaker knew his business well. The office of mayor was not the = point to which his ambition pointed. While the Reds of Jack’s Delight followed his lead they were likely to find him Joyal, but his first interest was all for Na- than Bradley, and he was playing for a double stake, Such being the case, he had no notion of shar- ing his secret with Thad Johnson. . The trio soon reached Judge Brackett’s house, Young as Jack’s Delight was, it already had some very substantial private residences, among these being the houses of the judge, Colonel Yoke Norman, and of Mayor Elijah Nicholson, The building before which the committee paused would have done credit to many a village far older and more famous. They ascended the steps; they rung the bell; an old woman answered the summons; andin a short time they were in the presence of the own- er of the house. : Abram Brackett was the leading man of Jack’s Delight. ‘Honors might rest markedly upon Colonel Norman and Elijah Nicholson, but in many ways the judge utterly eclipsed them. He was forty-two years old. He looked his age in certain ways, but his thick black hair was stil} without gray threads. He was a trifle tall- er and heavier than the average of men, and strongly formed. He dressed well, and made a notable figure wherever he went. For this his face was chiefly responsible. It was a face of power. He was abundantly gifted with manly good looks, but when the observer's gaze was at- tracted, as it was sure to be, he would not think of that. He would see the broad, full, keen and intelli- gent face; the square, firm jaws; the resolute mouth; the large, dark, expressive eyes; and the high, full forehead ; and the impression would grow upon him that Abram Brackett wasa man of wonderful courage, firmness and capability. .“* The Iron Judge,” they called him at Jack’s Delight. All gave bim credit with being a severe servant of justice, and his enemies de- clarel that. he was without mercy or human feeling; but his friends, noticing his tender care for his blind daughter, averred that under his iron exterior lay a kind heart. : Such was the man upon whom the committee had called. : He received them with cold courtesy, and from the way he studied their faces with his large, dark eyes, it was apparent at the first that he did not expect any good to come of the visit. Nathan Bradley began diplomatically. He stated that he and his friends desired the judge’s co-operation ina matter of great importance. He reminded Brackett that at the previous elec- tion of a mayor there had been two parties. One had won, and the offices of the “ city” had been at their disposal during the past year. The defeated party had received nothing; they felt that they ought now to have their turn; and they “r tfully” asked Judge Brackett to lend his aid to accomplish their desires. Could they count upon him? The ice was broken, and the embassadors ly studied the countenance of their host. They might as well have studied the Sphinx; his iron face told nothing. P “Tf you wish to elect a certain man” he ans- wered, calmly, ‘‘ why don’t you place. him in nomination, and vote for him?” My It would do no good,” Bradley answered, so?” ** He woul be defeated. The Blacks will go solidly for their candidate, unless prevailed up- ~* nounced sentence upon some lawless Red. citizens, judge, men have resolved in meeting?” lic? ‘might as well on to refrain from putting up a man, and they outnumber the Reds.” ‘“*Can you not draw votes from them?” ** The question seems superfluous, judge. You must be aware how tight party lines are drawn here; the Reds have nothing to hope for from the Blacks, unless an influential man like you will take up the game and prevent the nomina- tion of a second candidate in opposition to us,” ‘* Elections are rare where there is but one candidate,” _ ** We will not object to opposition, if you will influence fifty men to come over to us,” ‘Well, Mr. Bradley, I cannot do that, I do not think one in my position should be a wire- puller. <A judge should attend to his duties, and favor no one particular faction; a man who sits on the bench of "heh East or West, has no business to dabble in politics, He should be neutral.” The embassadors began to be angry, and Thad would have vented his wrath had not Bradley given him a stern look, The man had promised to let his leader conduct affairs, and Bradley in- tended to do so. ‘* Judge,” he returned, “if you will help us, we will go for you to a man when your term as judge expires,” — Abram Brackett frowned. ‘*T decline to make any bargain!” he answer- ed, coldly. ‘** Does our friendship go for nothing?” “1 do not say anything against you, but when my successor 18 appointed, two years hence, I shall leave the whole matter to the voters of Jack’s Delight. I will not sell my manhood to any man; I give, and require, no pledges, The election of two years hence must be decided by honest voting; so must the one so closé upon us, for all I shall do!” He’ spoke firmly, inexcrably, if not harshly. That tone had been heard before; it had been heard when, from the bench, he sternly = | he Iron Judge was thoroughly himself, Chagrin and pee 23 were plainly depicted in Nathan Bradley’s face, but he forced himself to remain temperate in word and manner, ‘*'You will disappoint many of your fellow- Read how our honest, eager He passed over the set of Resolutions, ‘This will not influence me,” remarked the jndge, quietly, ‘but if it will oblige you, I will read it.’ ‘*' Pray do so!” The Iron Judge read. While he was occupied the trio looked at him still more eagerly, but again his face was as stoical as that of an Indian. When he was through he raised his eyes and im- perturbably asked: ¥, Do you intend to make this document pub- “ec Yes,” “Then you will never name the Mayor of Jack’s Delight!” CHAPTER II. THE IRON ON THE ANVIL, BRADLEY’S face flushed with anger. ‘* Why do you say that?” he asked, ‘* Have the terms of this paper been carefully considered?” sc Yes.” ** According to this you ‘demand’ that your candidate be given a clear field?” *“* Exactly. ““And say that if your demand is not com- plied with, you will place your man in the Sala chair with revolver and knife, if need ** That’s it, sir.” ‘I could not find terms too severe to express my opinion of the framer of this intemperate article, so I will not try. But, Mr. Bradley’ I should suppose a man of your education, and one with your worldly experience, would know better. t me advise you to burn this paper, and replace it with a calm, respectful petition. Leave out all incendiary talk about revolvers and knives, and request, not demand, what you desire,” ; \ ‘‘ We've heard you patiently, judge, but you o away from the mark, We tried the peaceful odge a yearago. We voted for ourmen. We ave not voted at all. We lost; our votes went for nothing; and, instead of get- ting an occasional favor from Mayor Nicholson we have been scorned. slighted, ignored and arrested ever since. We are done with child’s play ¥ ** Suppose you base your claim on knives and revolvers instead of yotes—will you not still be in the minority?” ‘No, by Jndas!" interrupted Thad Johnson, fiercely. ‘‘One Red can whip a dozen Blacks, and we'll clean ’em out so slick that, after ‘lec- tion, all there will be necessary ter do will be ter count our votes an’ bury their buddies!” ‘Bear in mind that I am a judge!” ** What of it?” ' ‘You have confessed a premeditation to re- sort to deeds of bloodshed.” * We'll do it, too!” : i ‘ ; ; ; 9 : j : ‘ “s , Eomichooks