Chapter 3
Lodge 341, Vermissa
On the day following the evening which had contained so many excitingevents, McMurdo moved his lodgings from old Jacob Shafter's and took uphis quarters at the Widow MacNamara's on the extreme outskirts of thetown. Scanlan, his original acquaintance aboard the train, had occasionshortly afterwards to move into Vermissa, and the two lodged together.There was no other boarder, and the hostess was an easy-going oldIrishwoman who left them to themselves; so that they had a freedom forspeech and action welcome to men who had secrets in common.
Shafter had relented to the extent of letting McMurdo come to his mealsthere when he liked; so that his intercourse with Ettie was by no meansbroken. On the contrary, it drew closer and more intimate as the weekswent by.
In his bedroom at his new abode McMurdo felt it safe to take out thecoining moulds, and under many a pledge of secrecy a number of brothersfrom the lodge were allowed to come in and see them, each carrying awayin his pocket some examples of the false money, so cunningly struckthat there was never the slightest difficulty or danger in passing it.Why, with such a wonderful art at his command, McMurdo shouldcondescend to work at all was a perpetual mystery to his companions;though he made it clear to anyone who asked him that if he livedwithout any visible means it would very quickly bring the police uponhis track.
One policeman was indeed after him already; but the incident, as luckwould have it, did the adventurer a great deal more good than harm.After the first introduction there were few evenings when he did notfind his way to McGinty's saloon, there to make closer acquaintancewith "the boys," which was the jovial title by which the dangerous gangwho infested the place were known to one another. His dashing mannerand fearlessness of speech made him a favourite with them all; whilethe rapid and scientific way in which he polished off his antagonist inan "all in" bar-room scrap earned the respect of that rough community.Another incident, however, raised him even higher in their estimation.
Just at the crowded hour one night, the door opened and a man enteredwith the quiet blue uniform and peaked cap of the mine police. This wasa special body raised by the railways and colliery owners to supplementthe efforts of the ordinary civil police, who were perfectly helplessin the face of the organized ruffianism which terrorized the district.There was a hush as he entered, and many a curious glance was cast athim; but the relations between policemen and criminals are peculiar insome parts of the States, and McGinty himself standing behind hiscounter, showed no surprise when the policeman enrolled himself amonghis customers.
"A straight whisky, for the night is bitter," said the police officer."I don't think we have met before, Councillor?"
"You'll be the new captain?" said McGinty.
"That's so. We're looking to you, Councillor, and to the other leadingcitizens, to help us in upholding law and order in this township.Captain Marvin is my name."
"We'd do better without you, Captain Marvin," said McGinty coldly; "forwe have our own police of the township, and no need for any importedgoods. What are you but the paid tool of the capitalists, hired by themto club or shoot your poorer fellow citizen?"
"Well, well, we won't argue about that," said the police officergood-humouredly. "I expect we all do our duty same as we see it; but wecan't all see it the same." He had drunk off his glass and had turnedto go, when his eyes fell upon the face of Jack McMurdo, who wasscowling at his elbow. "Hullo! Hullo!" he cried, looking him up anddown. "Here's an old acquaintance!"
McMurdo shrank away from him. "I was never a friend to you nor anyother cursed copper in my life," said he.
"An acquaintance isn't always a friend," said the police captain,grinning. "You're Jack McMurdo of Chicago, right enough, and don't youdeny it!"
McMurdo shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not denying it," said he. "D'yethink I'm ashamed of my own name?"
"You've got good cause to be, anyhow."
"What the devil d'you mean by that?" he roared with his fists clenched.
"No, no, Jack, bluster won't do with me. I was an officer in Chicagobefore ever I came to this darned coal bunker, and I know a Chicagocrook when I see one."
McMurdo's face fell. "Don't tell me that you're Marvin of the ChicagoCentral!" he cried.
"Just the same old Teddy Marvin, at your service. We haven't forgottenthe shooting of Jonas Pinto up there."
"I never shot him."
"Did you not? That's good impartial evidence, ain't it? Well, his deathcame in uncommon handy for you, or they would have had you for shovingthe queer. Well, we can let that be bygones; for, between you andme--and perhaps I'm going further than my duty in saying it--they couldget no clear case against you, and Chicago's open to you to-morrow."
"I'm very well where I am."
"Well, I've given you the pointer, and you're a sulky dog not to thankme for it."
"Well, I suppose you mean well, and I do thank you," said McMurdo in novery gracious manner.
"It's mum with me so long as I see you living on the straight," saidthe captain. "But, by the Lord! if you get off after this, it's anotherstory! So good-night to you--and goodnight, Councillor."
He left the bar-room; but not before he had created a local hero.McMurdo's deeds in far Chicago had been whispered before. He had putoff all questions with a smile, as one who did not wish to havegreatness thrust upon him. But now the thing was officially confirmed.The bar loafers crowded round him and shook him heartily by the hand.He was free of the community from that time on. He could drink hard andshow little trace of it; but that evening, had his mate Scanlan notbeen at hand to lead him home, the feted hero would surely have spenthis night under the bar.
On a Saturday night McMurdo was introduced to the lodge. He had thoughtto pass in without ceremony as being an initiate of Chicago; but therewere particular rites in Vermissa of which they were proud, and thesehad to be undergone by every postulant. The assembly met in a largeroom reserved for such purposes at the Union House. Some sixty membersassembled at Vermissa; but that by no means represented the fullstrength of the organization, for there were several other lodges inthe valley, and others across the mountains on each side, who exchangedmembers when any serious business was afoot, so that a crime might bedone by men who were strangers to the locality. Altogether there werenot less than five hundred scattered over the coal district.
In the bare assembly room the men were gathered round a long table. Atthe side was a second one laden with bottles and glasses, on which somemembers of the company were already turning their eyes. McGinty sat atthe head with a flat black velvet cap upon his shock of tangled blackhair, and a coloured purple stole round his neck, so that he seemed tobe a priest presiding over some diabolical ritual. To right and left ofhim were the higher lodge officials, the cruel, handsome face of TedBaldwin among them. Each of these wore some scarf or medallion asemblem of his office.
They were, for the most part, men of mature age; but the rest of thecompany consisted of young fellows from eighteen to twenty-five, theready and capable agents who carried out the commands of their seniors.Among the older men were many whose features showed the tigerish,lawless souls within; but looking at the rank and file it was difficultto believe that these eager and open-faced young fellows were in verytruth a dangerous gang of murderers, whose minds had suffered suchcomplete moral perversion that they took a horrible pride in theirproficiency at the business, and looked with deepest respect at the manwho had the reputation of making what they called "a clean job."
To their contorted natures it had become a spirited and chivalrousthing to volunteer for service against some man who had never injuredthem, and whom in many cases they had never seen in their lives. Thecrime committed, they quarrelled as to who had actually struck thefatal blow, and amused one another and the company by describing thecries and contortions of the murdered man.
At first they had shown some secrecy in their arrangements; but at thetime which this narrative describes their proceedings wereextraordinarily open, for th
e repeated failures of the law had provedto them that, on the one hand, no one would dare to witness againstthem, and on the other they had an unlimited number of stanch witnessesupon whom they could call, and a well-filled treasure chest from whichthey could draw the funds to engage the best legal talent in the state.In ten long years of outrage there had been no single conviction, andthe only danger that ever threatened the Scowrers lay in the victimhimself--who, however outnumbered and taken by surprise, might andoccasionally did leave his mark upon his assailants.
McMurdo had been warned that some ordeal lay before him; but no onewould tell him in what it consisted. He was led now into an outer roomby two solemn brothers. Through the plank partition he could hear themurmur of many voices from the assembly within. Once or twice he caughtthe sound of his own name, and he knew that they were discussing hiscandidacy. Then there entered an inner guard with a green and gold sashacross his chest.
"The Bodymaster orders that he shall be trussed, blinded, and entered,"said he.
The three of them removed his coat, turned up the sleeve of his rightarm, and finally passed a rope round above the elbows and made it fast.They next placed a thick black cap right over his head and the upperpart of his face, so that he could see nothing. He was then led intothe assembly hall.
It was pitch dark and very oppressive under his hood. He heard therustle and murmur of the people round him, and then the voice ofMcGinty sounded dull and distant through the covering of his ears.
"John McMurdo," said the voice, "are you already a member of theAncient Order of Freemen?"
He bowed in assent.
"Is your lodge No. 29, Chicago?"
He bowed again.
"Dark nights are unpleasant," said the voice.
"Yes, for strangers to travel," he answered.
"The clouds are heavy."
"Yes, a storm is approaching."
"Are the brethren satisfied?" asked the Bodymaster.
There was a general murmur of assent.
"We know, Brother, by your sign and by your countersign that you areindeed one of us," said McGinty. "We would have you know, however, thatin this county and in other counties of these parts we have certainrites, and also certain duties of our own which call for good men. Areyou ready to be tested?"
"I am."
"Are you of stout heart?"
"I am."
"Take a stride forward to prove it."
As the words were said he felt two hard points in front of his eyes,pressing upon them so that it appeared as if he could not move forwardwithout a danger of losing them. None the less, he nerved himself tostep resolutely out, and as he did so the pressure melted away. Therewas a low murmur of applause.
"He is of stout heart," said the voice. "Can you bear pain?"
"As well as another," he answered.
"Test him!"
It was all he could do to keep himself from screaming out, for anagonizing pain shot through his forearm. He nearly fainted at thesudden shock of it; but he bit his lip and clenched his hands to hidehis agony.
"I can take more than that," said he.
This time there was loud applause. A finer first appearance had neverbeen made in the lodge. Hands clapped him on the back, and the hood wasplucked from his head. He stood blinking and smiling amid thecongratulations of the brothers.
"One last word, Brother McMurdo," said McGinty. "You have already swornthe oath of secrecy and fidelity, and you are aware that the punishmentfor any breach of it is instant and inevitable death?"
"I am," said McMurdo.
"And you accept the rule of the Bodymaster for the time being under allcircumstances?"
"I do."
"Then in the name of Lodge 341, Vermissa, I welcome you to itsprivileges and debates. You will put the liquor on the table, BrotherScanlan, and we will drink to our worthy brother."
McMurdo's coat had been brought to him; but before putting it on heexamined his right arm, which still smarted heavily. There on the fleshof the forearm was a circle with a triangle within it, deep and red, asthe branding iron had left it. One or two of his neighbours pulled uptheir sleeves and showed their own lodge marks.
"We've all had it," said one; "but not all as brave as you over it."
"Tut! It was nothing," said he; but it burned and ached all the same.
When the drinks which followed the ceremony of initiation had all beendisposed of, the business of the lodge proceeded. McMurdo, accustomedonly to the prosaic performances of Chicago, listened with open earsand more surprise than he ventured to show to what followed.
"The first business on the agenda paper," said McGinty, "is to read thefollowing letter from Division Master Windle of Merton County Lodge249. He says:
"DEAR SIR:
"There is a job to be done on Andrew Rae of Rae & Sturmash, coal owners near this place. You will remember that your lodge owes us a return, having had the service of two brethren in the matter of the patrolman last fall. You will send two good men, they will be taken charge of by Treasurer Higgins of this lodge, whose address you know. He will show them when to act and where. Yours in freedom,
"J. W. WINDLE D. M. A. O. F.
"Windle has never refused us when we have had occasion to ask for theloan of a man or two, and it is not for us to refuse him." McGintypaused and looked round the room with his dull, malevolent eyes. "Whowill volunteer for the job?"
Several young fellows held up their hands. The Bodymaster looked atthem with an approving smile.
"You'll do, Tiger Cormac. If you handle it as well as you did the last,you won't be wrong. And you, Wilson."
"I've no pistol," said the volunteer, a mere boy in his teens.
"It's your first, is it not? Well, you have to be blooded some time. Itwill be a great start for you. As to the pistol, you'll find it waitingfor you, or I'm mistaken. If you report yourselves on Monday, it willbe time enough. You'll get a great welcome when you return."
"Any reward this time?" asked Cormac, a thick-set, dark-faced,brutal-looking young man, whose ferocity had earned him the nickname of"Tiger."
"Never mind the reward. You just do it for the honour of the thing.Maybe when it is done there will be a few odd dollars at the bottom ofthe box."
"What has the man done?" asked young Wilson.
"Sure, it's not for the likes of you to ask what the man has done. Hehas been judged over there. That's no business of ours. All we have todo is to carry it out for them, same as they would for us. Speaking ofthat, two brothers from the Merton lodge are coming over to us nextweek to do some business in this quarter."
"Who are they?" asked someone.
"Faith, it is wiser not to ask. If you know nothing, you can testifynothing, and no trouble can come of it. But they are men who will makea clean job when they are about it."
"And time, too!" cried Ted Baldwin. "Folk are gettin' out of hand inthese parts. It was only last week that three of our men were turnedoff by Foreman Blaker. It's been owing him a long time, and he'll getit full and proper."
"Get what?" McMurdo whispered to his neighbour.
"The business end of a buckshot cartridge!" cried the man with a loudlaugh. "What think you of our ways, Brother?"
McMurdo's criminal soul seemed to have already absorbed the spirit ofthe vile association of which he was now a member. "I like it well,"said he. "'Tis a proper place for a lad of mettle."
Several of those who sat around heard his words and applauded them.
"What's that?" cried the black-maned Bodymaster from the end of thetable.
"'Tis our new brother, sir, who finds our ways to his taste."
McMurdo rose to his feet for an instant. "I would say, EminentBodymaster, that if a man should be wanted I should take it as anhonour to be chosen to help the lodge."
There was great applause at this. It was felt that a new sun waspushing its rim above the horizon. To some of the elders it seemed thatthe progress was a l
ittle too rapid.
"I would move," said the secretary, Harraway, a vulture-faced oldgraybeard who sat near the chairman, "that Brother McMurdo should waituntil it is the good pleasure of the lodge to employ him."
"Sure, that was what I meant; I'm in your hands," said McMurdo.
"Your time will come, Brother," said the chairman. "We have marked youdown as a willing man, and we believe that you will do good work inthese parts. There is a small matter to-night in which you may take ahand if it so please you."
"I will wait for something that is worth while."
"You can come to-night, anyhow, and it will help you to know what westand for in this community. I will make the announcement later.Meanwhile," he glanced at his agenda paper, "I have one or two morepoints to bring before the meeting. First of all, I will ask thetreasurer as to our bank balance. There is the pension to JimCarnaway's widow. He was struck down doing the work of the lodge, andit is for us to see that she is not the loser."
"Jim was shot last month when they tried to kill Chester Wilcox ofMarley Creek," McMurdo's neighbour informed him.
"The funds are good at the moment," said the treasurer, with thebankbook in front of him. "The firms have been generous of late. MaxLinder & Co. paid five hundred to be left alone. Walker Brothers sentin a hundred; but I took it on myself to return it and ask for five. IfI do not hear by Wednesday, their winding gear may get out of order. Wehad to burn their breaker last year before they became reasonable. Thenthe West Section Coaling Company has paid its annual contribution. Wehave enough on hand to meet any obligations."
"What about Archie Swindon?" asked a brother.
"He has sold out and left the district. The old devil left a note forus to say that he had rather be a free crossing sweeper in New Yorkthan a large mine owner under the power of a ring of blackmailers. ByGar! it was as well that he made a break for it before the note reachedus! I guess he won't show his face in this valley again."
An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly face and a good brow rosefrom the end of the table which faced the chairman. "Mr. Treasurer," heasked, "may I ask who has bought the property of this man that we havedriven out of the district?"
"Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the State & Merton CountyRailroad Company."
"And who bought the mines of Todman and of Lee that came into themarket in the same way last year?"
"The same company, Brother Morris."
"And who bought the ironworks of Manson and of Shuman and of Van Deherand of Atwood, which have all been given up of late?"
"They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General Mining Company."
"I don't see, Brother Morris," said the chairman, "that it matters tous who buys them, since they can't carry them out of the district."
"With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, I think it may mattervery much to us. This process has been going on now for ten long years.We are gradually driving all the small men out of trade. What is theresult? We find in their places great companies like the Railroad orthe General Iron, who have their directors in New York or Philadelphia,and care nothing for our threats. We can take it out of their localbosses, but it only means that others will be sent in their stead. Andwe are making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men could not harmus. They had not the money nor the power. So long as we did not squeezethem too dry, they would stay on under our power. But if these bigcompanies find that we stand between them and their profits, they willspare no pains and no expense to hunt us down and bring us to court."
There was a hush at these ominous words, and every face darkened asgloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent and unchallenged had theybeen that the very thought that there was possible retribution in thebackground had been banished from their minds. And yet the idea strucka chill to the most reckless of them.
"It is my advice," the speaker continued, "that we go easier upon thesmall men. On the day that they have all been driven out the power ofthis society will have been broken."
Unwelcome truths are not popular. There were angry cries as the speakerresumed his seat. McGinty rose with gloom upon his brow.
"Brother Morris," said he, "you were always a croaker. So long as themembers of this lodge stand together there is no power in the UnitedStates that can touch them. Sure, have we not tried it often enough inthe law courts? I expect the big companies will find it easier to paythan to fight, same as the little companies do. And now, Brethren,"McGinty took off his black velvet cap and his stole as he spoke, "thislodge has finished its business for the evening, save for one smallmatter which may be mentioned when we are parting. The time has nowcome for fraternal refreshment and for harmony."
Strange indeed is human nature. Here were these men, to whom murder wasfamiliar, who again and again had struck down the father of the family,some man against whom they had no personal feeling, without one thoughtof compunction or of compassion for his weeping wife or helplesschildren, and yet the tender or pathetic in music could move them totears. McMurdo had a fine tenor voice, and if he had failed to gain thegood will of the lodge before, it could no longer have been withheldafter he had thrilled them with "I'm Sitting on the Stile, Mary," and"On the Banks of Allan Water."
In his very first night the new recruit had made himself one of themost popular of the brethren, marked already for advancement and highoffice. There were other qualities needed, however, besides those ofgood fellowship, to make a worthy Freeman, and of these he was given anexample before the evening was over. The whisky bottle had passed roundmany times, and the men were flushed and ripe for mischief when theirBodymaster rose once more to address them.
"Boys," said he, "there's one man in this town that wants trimming up,and it's for you to see that he gets it. I'm speaking of James Stangerof the Herald. You've seen how he's been opening his mouth against usagain?"
There was a murmur of assent, with many a muttered oath. McGinty took aslip 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 assassinations which proved the existence of a criminal organization in our midst. From that day these outrages have never ceased, until now they have reached a pitch which makes us the opprobrium of the civilized world. Is it for such results as this that our great country welcomes to its bosom the alien who flies from the despotisms of Europe? Is it that they shall themselves become tyrants over the very men who have given them shelter, and that a state of terrorism and lawlessness should be established under the very shadow of the sacred folds of the starry Flag of Freedom which would raise horror in our minds if we read of it as existing under the most effete monarchy of the East? The men are known. The organization is patent and public. How long are we to endure it? Can we forever live--"
"Sure, I've read enough of the slush!" cried the chairman, tossing thepaper down upon the table. "That's what he says of us. The question I'masking 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 the good browand shaved face. "I tell you, Brethren, that our hand is too heavy inthis valley, and that there will come a point where in self-defenseevery man will unite to crush us out. James Stanger is an old man. Heis respected in the township and the district. His paper stands for allthat is solid in the valley. If that man is struck down, there will bea stir through this state that will only end with our destruction."
"And how would they bring about our destruction, Mr. Standback?" criedMcGinty. "Is it by the police? Sure, half of them are in our pay andhalf of them afraid of us. Or is it by the law courts and the judge?Haven't we tried that before now, and what ever came of it?"
"There is a Judge Lynch that might try the case," said Brother Morris.
A general shout of anger greeted the suggestion.
&nb
sp; "I have but to raise my finger," cried McGinty, "and I could put twohundred men into this town that would clear it out from end to end."Then suddenly raising his voice and bending his huge black brows into aterrible frown, "See here, Brother Morris, I have my eye on you, andhave had for some time! You've no heart yourself, and you try to takethe 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 thatit's just there that I ought to place it."
Morris had turned deadly pale, and his knees seemed to give way underhim as he fell back into his chair. He raised his glass in histrembling hand and drank before he could answer. "I apologize, EminentBodymaster, to you and to every brother in this lodge if I have saidmore than I should. I am a faithful member--you all know that--and itis my fear lest evil come to the lodge which makes me speak in anxiouswords. But I have greater trust in your judgment than in my own,Eminent Bodymaster, and I promise you that I will not offend again."
The Bodymaster's scowl relaxed as he listened to the humble words."Very good, Brother Morris. It's myself that would be sorry if it wereneedful to give you a lesson. But so long as I am in this chair weshall be a united lodge in word and in deed. And now, boys," hecontinued, looking round at the company, "I'll say this much, that ifStanger got his full deserts there would be more trouble than we needask for. These editors hang together, and every journal in the statewould be crying out for police and troops. But I guess you can give hima pretty severe warning. Will you fix it, Brother Baldwin?"
"Sure!" said the young man eagerly.
"How many will you take?"
"Half a dozen, and two to guard the door. You'll come, Gower, and you,Mansel, and you, Scanlan, and the two Willabys."
"I promised the new brother he should go," said the chairman.
Ted Baldwin looked at McMurdo with eyes which showed that he had notforgotten nor forgiven. "Well, he can come if he wants," he said in asurly voice. "That's enough. The sooner we get to work the better."
The company broke up with shouts and yells and snatches of drunkensong. The bar was still crowded with revellers, and many of thebrethren remained there. The little band who had been told off for dutypassed out into the street, proceeding in twos and threes along thesidewalk so as not to provoke attention. It was a bitterly cold night,with a half-moon shining brilliantly in a frosty, star-spangled sky.The men stopped and gathered in a yard which faced a high building. Thewords "Vermissa Herald" were printed in gold lettering between thebrightly lit windows. From within came the clanking of the printingpress.
"Here, you," said Baldwin to McMurdo, "you can stand below at the doorand see that the road is kept open for us. Arthur Willaby can stay withyou. You others come with me. Have no fears, boys; for we have a dozenwitnesses that we are in the Union Bar at this very moment."
It was nearly midnight, and the street was deserted save for one or tworevellers upon their way home. The party crossed the road, and, pushingopen the door of the newspaper office, Baldwin and his men rushed inand up the stair which faced them. McMurdo and another remained below.From the room above came a shout, a cry for help, and then the sound oftrampling feet and of falling chairs. An instant later a gray-hairedman rushed out on the landing.
He was seized before he could get farther, and his spectacles cametinkling down to McMurdo's feet. There was a thud and a groan. He wason his face, and half a dozen sticks were clattering together as theyfell upon him. He writhed, and his long, thin limbs quivered under theblows. The others ceased at last; but Baldwin, his cruel face set in aninfernal smile, was hacking at the man's head, which he vainlyendeavoured to defend with his arms. His white hair was dabbled withpatches of blood. Baldwin was still stooping over his victim, puttingin a short, vicious blow whenever he could see a part exposed, whenMcMurdo dashed up the stair and pushed him back.
"You'll kill the man," said he. "Drop it!"
Baldwin looked at him in amazement. "Curse you!" he cried. "Who are youto interfere--you that are new to the lodge? Stand back!" He raised hisstick; but McMurdo had whipped his pistol out of his hip pocket.
"Stand back yourself!" he cried. "I'll blow your face in if you lay ahand on me. As to the lodge, wasn't it the order of the Bodymaster thatthe man was not to be killed--and what are you doing but killing him?"
"It's truth he says," remarked one of the men.
"By Gar! you'd best hurry yourselves!" cried the man below. "Thewindows are all lighting up, and you'll have the whole town here insideof five minutes."
There was indeed the sound of shouting in the street, and a littlegroup of compositors and pressmen was forming in the hall below andnerving itself to action. Leaving the limp and motionless body of theeditor at the head of the stair, the criminals rushed down and madetheir way swiftly along the street. Having reached the Union House,some of them mixed with the crowd in McGinty's saloon, whisperingacross the bar to the Boss that the job had been well carried through.Others, and among them McMurdo, broke away into side streets, and so bydevious paths to their own homes.
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