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The Dead Rabbit a low resort! cried Sheeny
Joe indignantly. The place is as straight as a gun.
Will you please tell me who you are? asked the magistrate of the reputable old gentleman. He had resumed his non-committal look. The confident vigor of the reputable old gentleman disconcerted him and made him wary.
I am a taxpayer, said the reputable old gentleman; yes, donning an air as though the thunders and lightnings of politics dwelt in the word, yes, your honor, a taxpayer. I do not know this boy, but here are his father and sister to speak for him. Then, as he caught sight of the captain who had ordered him out of the station: There is a man, your honor, who by the hands of his minions drove me from a public police office me, a taxpayer!
The captain grinned easily to find himself thus distinguished. The grin irritated the reputable old gentleman, who was even more peppery than reputable.
Smile, sir! cried the reputable old gentleman, shaking his wrathful finger at the captain. I shall have you before your superiors on charges before Im done!
Thats what they all say, remarked the captain, stifling a yawn.
One thing at a time, sir, said the magistrate to the reputable old gentleman. His attitude was wheedling and propitiatory. Did I understand you to say that the gentleman and the lady at your back are the father and sister of this boy?
My father and Anne had taken their stations to the rear of the reputable old gentleman. The latter, looking around as if to identify them, replied:
If the court please, Im told so.
Your honor, broke in Sheeny Joe with a front of injury, wats that got to do with his sandbaggin me? Am I to be murdered wen peacefully about me business, just cause a guys got a father?
What were you saying to this girl? asked the magistrate mildly of Sheeny Joe, and indicating Apple Cheek with his eye where she sat tearful and frightened by my side. This gentleman the reputable old gentleman snorted fiercely declares that you were about to lure her to a low resort.
Your honor, it was the Dead Rabbit, said Sheeny Joe.
Is the Dead Rabbit, observed the magistrate, to the captain, who was still lounging about, is the Dead Rabbit a place of good repute?
It aint no Astor House, replied the captain, but no one expects an Astor House in Water Street.
Is it a resort for thieves?
The magistrate still advanced his queries in a fashion apologetic and subdued. The reputable old gentleman impressed him as one he would not like to offend. Then, too, there was my father an honest working-man by plain testimony of his face. On the other hand stood Sheeny Joe, broken of nose, bandaged, implacable. Here were three forces of politics, according to our magistrate, who was thinking on a re-election; he would prefer to please them all. Obviously, he in no sort delighted in his present position, since whichever way he turned it might be a turn toward future disaster for himself.
Is the Dead Rabbit a resort for thieves? again asked the magistrate.
Well, replied the captain judgmatically, even a crook has got to go somewhere. That is, he added, when he aint in hock.
Where this criss-cross colloquy of justice or injustice might have left me, and whether free or captive, I may only guess. The proceedings were to gain another and a final interruption. This time it was the red-faced man, he who had called himself Big Kennedy, to come panting into the presence of the court. The red-faced man had hurried up the stairs, three steps at a time, and it told upon his breathing.
The magistrate made a most profound bow to the red-faced man. Remembering the somber prophecy of him with the big key, should Big Kennedy show up to Stall aginst me, my hope, which had revived with the stand taken by the reputable old gentleman, sunk now to lowest marks.
What will you have, Mr. Kennedy? purred the magistrate obsequiously.
Is the court going to dispose of the cases of this boy and this girl? interrupted the reputable old gentleman warmly. I demand a jury trial for both of them. I am a taxpayer and propose to have justice.
Hold up, old sport, hold up! exclaimed the redfaced man in cheerful tones. He was addressing the reputable old gentleman. Let me get to work. Ill settle this thing like throwin dice.
What do you mean, sir, by calling me an old sport? demanded the reputable old gentleman.
The red-faced man did not heed the question, but wheeled briskly on the magistrate.
Your honor, said the red-faced man, theres nothin to this. Sheeny Joe there has made a misdeal, thats all. Ive looked the case over, your honor; theres nothin in it; you can let the girl an the boy go.
But he said the Dead Rabbit was a drum for crooks! protested Sheeny Joe, speaking to the redfaced man.
Sppose he did, retorted the other, that dont take a dollar out of the drawer.
An hes to break my nose an get away? complained Sheeny Joe.
Well, you oughter to take care of your nose, said the red-faced man, an not go leavin it lyin around where a kid can break it.
Sheeny Joe was not to be shaken off; he engaged in violent argument with the red-faced man. Their tones, however, were now more guarded, and no one might hear their words beyond themselves. While this went forward, the magistrate, to save his dignity, perhaps, and not to have it look as though he were waiting for orders, pretended to be writing in his book of cases which lay open on his desk.
It was Sheeny Joe to bring the discussion between himself and the red-faced man to an end. Throughout the whispered differences between them, differences as to what should be my fate, Sheeny Joe showed hot with fury, while the red-faced man was cool and conciliatory; his voice when one caught some sound of it was coaxing.
Theres been enough said! cried Sheeny Joe, suddenly walking away from the red-faced man. No duck is goin to break my nose for fun.
The boys goin loose, observed the red-faced man in placid contradiction. An the girl goes to her friends, wherever they be, an they aint at the Dead Rabbit. Then in a blink the countenance of the redfaced man went from calm to rage. He whirled Sheeny Joe by the shoulder. See here! he growled, one more roar out of you, an Ill stand you up right now, an its you who will take sixty days, or my name aint Big John Kennedy. If you think thats a bluff, call it. Another yeep, an the boats waitin for you! Youve been due at the Island for some time.
Thats all right, Mr. Kennedy! replied Sheeny Joe, his crest falling, and the sharpest terror in his face, thats all right! You know me? Of course it goes as you say! Did you ever know me to buck aginst you?
The red-faced man smiled ferociously. The anger faded from his brow, and leaving Sheeny Joe without further word, he again spoke to the magistrate.
The charges aginst these two children, your honor, are withdrawn. He spoke in his old cool tones. Captain, he continued, addressing that dignitary, send one of your plain-clothes people with this girl to find her friends for her. Tell him he mustnt make any mistakes.
The cases are dismissed, said the magistrate, making an entry in his book. He appeared relieved with the change in the situation; almost as much, if that were possible, as myself. The cases are dismissed; no costs to be taxed. I think that is what you desire, Mr. Kennedy?