There was a hush at these ominous words, and every facedarkened as gloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent andunchallenged had they been that the very thought that there waspossible retribution in the background had been banished from theirminds. And yet the idea struck a chill to the most reckless of them.
“It is my advice,” the speaker continued, “that we go easier uponthe small men. On the day that they have all been driven out thepower of this society will have been broken.”
Unwelcome truths are not popular. There were angry cries asthe speaker resumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon hisbrow.
“Brother Morris,” said he, “you were always a croaker. So longas the members of this lodge stand together there is no power inthe United States that can touch them. Sure, have we not tried itoften enough in the lawcourts? I expect the big companies willfind it easier to pay than to fight, same as the little companies do.
And now, Brethren,” McGinty took off his black velvet cap andhis stole as he spoke, “this lodge has finished its business for theevening, save for one small matter which may be mentioned whenwe are parting. The time has now come for fraternal refreshmentand for harmony.”
Strange indeed is human nature. Here were these men, to whommurder was familiar, who again and again had struck down thefather of the family, some man against whom they had no personalfeeling, without one thought of compunction or of compassionfor his weeping wife or helpless children, and yet the tender orpathetic in music could move them to tears. McMurdo had a finetenor voice, and if he had failed to gain the good will of the lodgebefore, it could no longer have been withheld after he had thrilledthem with “I’m Sitting on the Stile, Mary,” and “On the Banks ofAllan Water.”
In his very first night the new recruit had made himself one ofthe most popular of the brethren, marked already for advancementand high office. There were other qualities needed, however,besides those of good fellowship, to make a worthy Freeman, andof these he was given an example before the evening was over. Thewhisky bottle had passed round many times, and the men wereflushed and ripe for mischief when their Bodymaster rose oncemore to address them.
“Boys,” said he, “there’s one man in this town that wantstrimming up, and it’s for you to see that he gets it. I’m speaking ofJames Stanger of the Herald. You’ve seen how he’s been openinghis mouth against us again?”
There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath.
McGinty took a slip of paper from his waistcoat pocket.
“LAW AND ORDER!”
That’s how he heads it.
“REIGN OF TERROR IN THE COAL AND IRON DISTRICT“Twelve years have now elapsed since the first assassinationswhich proved the existence of a criminal organization in our midst.
From that day these outrages have never ceased, until now they havereached a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of the civilizedworld. Is it for such results as this that our great country welcomesto its bosom the alien who flies from the despotisms of Europe? Isit that they shall themselves become tyrants over the very men whohave given them shelter, and that a state of terrorism and lawlessnessshould be established under the very shadow of the sacred folds ofthe starry Flag of Freedom which would raise horror in our minds ifwe read of it as existing under the most effete monarchy of the East?
The men are known. The organization is patent and public. How longare we to endure it? Can we forever live—
“Sure, I’ve read enough of the slush!” cried the chairman, tossingthe paper down upon the table. “That’s what he says of us. Thequestion I’m asking you is what shall we say to him?”
“Kill him!” cried a dozen fierce voices.
“I protest against that,” said Brother Morris, the man of thegood brow and shaved face. “I tell you, Brethren, that our hand istoo heavy in this valley, and that there will come a point where inself-defense every man will unite to crush us out. James Stanger isan old man. He is respected in the township and the district. Hispaper stands for all that is solid in the valley. If that man is struckdown, there will be a stir through this state that will only end withour destruction.”
“And how would they bring about our destruction, Mr.
Standback?” cried McGinty. “Is it by the police? Sure, half of themare in our pay and half of them afraid of us. Or is it by the lawcourts and the judge? Haven’t we tried that before now, and whatever came of it?”
“There is a Judge Lynch that might try the case,” said BrotherMorris.
A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion.
“I have but to raise my finger,” cried McGinty, “and I could puttwo hundred men into this town that would clear it out from endto end.” Then suddenly raising his voice and bending his hugeblack brows into a terrible frown, “See here, Brother Morris, I havemy eye on you, and have had for some time! You’ve no heart yourself,and you try to take the heart out of others. It will be an ill day for you,Brother Morris, when your own name comes on our agenda paper,and I’m thinking that it’s just there that I ought to place it.”
Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees seemed to give wayunder him as he fell back into his chair. He raised his glass in histrembling hand and drank before he could answer. “I apologize,Eminent Bodymaster, to you and to every brother in this lodgeif I have said more than I should. I am a faithful member—youall know that—and it is my fear lest evil come to the lodge whichmakes me speak in anxious words. But I have greater trust in yourjudgment than in my own, Eminent Bodymaster, and I promiseyou that I will not offend again.”