The girl from farriss

TheGirlfromFarris’s
ByEdgarRiceBurroughs
“TheGirlFromFarris’s”wasfirstpublishedinALL-STORYWEEKLYfor
September23and30,1916,andOctober7and14,1916.
–


CHAPTERI
DOARTYMAKESA“PINCH”
JUSTwhatMr.DoartywasdoinginthealleybackofFarris’sattwoofachill
springmorningwouldhavepuzzledthosecitizensofChicagowhoknewMr.
Doartybest.
ToacasualobserveritmighthaveappearedthatMr.Doartywasdoingnothing
moreremarkablethanleaningagainstatelephonepole,whichinitselfmight
havebeeneasilyexplainedhadMr.Doartynotbeensopalpablysober;butthere
arenocasualobserversintheSouthSideleveeattwointhemorning—those
whoareinanyconditiontoobserveatallhavetheeyesofferrets.
ThiswasnotthefirstofMr.Doarty’snocturnalvisitstothevicinageofFarris’s.
Foralmostaweekhehadhauntedtheneighborhoodbetweenmidnightand
dawn,forMr.Doartyhaddeterminedto“get”Mr.Farris.
Fromtheopendoorsofacornersalooncameburstsofbacchanalrevelry—
snatchesofribaldsong;hoarselaughter;thehystericalscreamofawoman;but
thoughthisplace,too,wasFarris’sandtheclosinghourlongpassedMr.Doarty
deignednottonoticesominoraninfractionofthelaw.
Hadn’tLieutenantBarnutfiledsomeninetyoddcomplaintsagainstthesaloonkeeper-aldermanoftheEighteenthWardforviolationofthissameordinance,
onlytohavethemallpigeonholedinthecityprosecutor’soffice?Hadn’the
appearedinpersonbeforetheSeptemberGrandJury,andhadn’ttheState
Attorney’sofficesucceededinbamboozlingthataugustbodyintothebeliefthat
theyhadnothingwhatsoevertodowiththematter?
Andanyhow,whatwasanaldermanicdragcomparedwiththatpossessedby

“Abe”Farris?No;Mr.Doarty,hadyouquestionedhim,wouldhaveassuredyou
thathehadnotbeenbornsorecentlyasyesterday;thathewasentirelydry
behindtheears;andthatifhe“got”Mr.Farrisatallhewouldgethimgoodand
plenty,forhadhenotonlyaweekbefore,learningthatMr.Doartywasnolonger
inthegoodgracesofhiscommandingofficer,refusedtoacknowledgeMr.
Doarty’srighttocertainlittleincidentalemolumentsuponwhichtime-honored
customhadplacedthesealoflawfultitle?


Inotherwords—Mr.Doarty’swords,—AbeFarrishadnotcomeacross.Not
onlyhadhefailedinthisverynecessaryobligation,buthehadaddedinsultto
injurybyrequestingMr.Doartytohiehimselftothecelestialnadir;andhehad
madehisremarksinaloud,coarsetoneofvoiceinthepresenceofapockmarkedbarkeepwhohaditinforMr.Doartybecauseofacertainsixty,weary,
beerlessdaysthatthepock-markedonehadspentattheBridewellonMr.
Doarty’saccount.
Butthemostmalignspleenbecomeslessvirulentwithage,andsoitwasthat
Mr.Doartyfoundhisself-appointedtaskbecomingirksometoadegreethat
threatenedthestabilityofhisMachiavellianresolve.Furthermore,hewas
becomingsleepyandthirsty.
“T’‘ellwith‘im,”sighedMr.Doarty,sadly,asheremovedhisweightfromthe
supportingpoletoturndisconsolatelytowardthemouthofthealley.
Atthethirdstepheturnedtocastaparting,venomousglanceatthebackof
Farris’s;buthetooknofourthsteptowardthealley’smouth.Insteadhe
dissolved,wraithlike,intothedenseshadowbetweentwobarns,hiseyesnever
leavingthebackofthebuildingthathehadwatchedsoassiduouslyand
fruitlesslyforthepastseveralnights.
InthebackofFarris’sisaricketyfireescape—amute,decayingwitnesstothe
lackofpullunderwhichsomeformerlandlordlabored.TowardthiswasMr.
Doarty’sgazedirected,fordimlydiscernibleuponitwassomethingthatmoved
—movedslowlyandcautiouslydownward.

ItrequiredbutamomentforMr.Doarty’strainedeyetotransmittohiseager
brainallthatherequiredtoknow,forthemomentatleast,oftheslow-moving
shadowupontheshadowyladder—thenhedartedacrossthealleytowardthe
yardintherearofFarris’s.
Agirlwasdescendingthefireescape.Howfrightenedshewasshealoneknew,
andthattheremusthavebeensomethingverydreadfultoescapeinthebuilding
aboveherwasapparentfromtheriskshetookateachstepuponthatlooseand
rustedfabricofsaggingiron.
Shewasclothedinafloweredkimono,overwhichshehaddrawnablacksilk
underskirt.Aroundhershoulderswasanoldredshawl,andshewasshodonlyin
bedroomslippers.Scarcelyasuitableattireforstreetwear;butthenpeopleinthe


vicinityofTwenty-FourthStreetarepotoverparticularaboutsuchmatters;
especiallythosewhoelecttoleavetheirbedandboardattwoofamorningby
wayofabackfireescape.
Atthefirstfloortheladderended—acommonandembarrassinghabitoffire
escapeladders,whichareaslikelyasnottoterminatetwentyfeetaboveastone
areaway,orapicketfence—butthestandpipecontinuedontotheground.A
standpipe,flatagainstabrickwall,isnotaneasythingforayoungladyina
floweredkimonoandlittleelsetonegotiate;butthiswasanunusualyounglady,
andgreatindeedmusthavebeenthestressofcircumstancewhichurgedheron,
forshecamedownthestandpipewiththeeaseofacat,andatthebottom,
turned,horrified,tolookintothefaceofMr.Doarty.
Withalittlegaspofbewildermentsheattemptedtododgepasthim,butahuge
pawofahandreachedoutandgraspedhershoulder.
“Well,dearie?”saidMr.Doarty.
“Cutitout,”repliedthegirl,“andle’meloose.Whoareyou,anyhow?”
ForanswerMr.Doartypulledbackthelapelofhiscoatdisclosingashinypiece
ofmetalpinnedonhissuspender.

“Iain’tdonenothing,”saidthegirl.
“Ofcourseyouain’t,”agreedMr.Doarty.“Don’tIknowthatrealladiesalways
climbdownfireescapesattwoo’clockinthemorningjusttoprovethatthey
ain’tdonenothin’?”
“Goin’topinchme?”
“Depends,”repliedtheplain-clothesman.“What’stheideaofthisnocternial
getaway.”
Thegirlhesitated.
“Giveittomestraight,”admonishedhercaptor.“It’llgoeasierwithyou.”
“IguessImightaswell,”shesaid.“YouseeIgetaswellofferfromtheBeverly
Club,andthatfatschonacker,”shegaveavindictivenodofherheadtowardthe


backofFarris’sresort,“hegetsittippedofftohimsomeway,andhasallmy
clotheslockedupsoasIcan’tgetaway.”
“Hewouldn’tletyououtofhisplace,eh?”askedMr.Doarty,halftohimself.
“HesaidIowedhimthreehundreddollarsforboardandclothes.”
“An’hewaskeepin’youaprisonerthereagainstyourwill?”purredMr.Doarty.
“Yes,”saidthegirl.
Mr.Doartygrinned.Thiswasn’texactlythemagnitudeofthemethodhehad
hopedtofindto”get”Mr.Farris;butitwasbetterthannothing.Thepresent
GrandJurywasevennowtusslingwiththeviceproblem.Hoursofitsvaluable
timewerebeingtakenupbyreformerswhoknewallaboutthegeneral
conditionswithwhicheveryadultcitizenisfamiliar;butthetangiblecases,
backedbythesortofevidencethatconvicts,wereremarkableonlyonaccountof
theirscarcity.
Somethingseemedalwaystosealthemouthsoftheprincipalwitnessesthe
momenttheyenteredtheGrandJuryroom;butherewasacasewherepersonal
spiteanddesireforrevengemightcombinetomakeanexcellentwitnessagainst
themostnotoriousdivekeeperinthecity.Itwasworthtryingfor.

“Comealong,”saidMr.Doarty.
“Aw,don’t.Pleasedon’t!”beggedthegirl.“Iain’tdonenothing,honest!”
“Sureyouain’t,”repliedMr.Doarty.“I’monlygoin’tohaveyouheldasa
witnessagainstFarris.That‘llgetyouevenwithhim,andgiveyouachanceto
getoutandtakethatswelljobattheBeverlyClub.”
“Theywouldn’thavemeifIpeachedonFarris.andyouknowit.Why,Icouldn’t
getajobinahouseintownifIdonethat.”
“Howwouldyouliketobebookedformanslaughter?”askedtheplainclothes
man.
“Whatyougivingme!”laughedthegirl.“Stowthekid.”


“Itain’tnokid,”repliedMr.Doartysolemnly.“Thepoliceknowsalotaboutthe
guythatsomeonecroakedupinFarris’sinMarch,butwebeenlayin’lowfora
certainpersonasissuspectedofpassin’himthedrops.Itgetstippedofftothe
inmatesofFarris’s,an’I,bein’next,spotsherassheismakin’hergetaway.Are
youhep?’
Theyoungladywashep—mostassuredlywhowouldnotbeheptothevery
palpablethreatcontainedinMr.Doarty’sprettylittlefiction?
“An’,”continuedDoarty,“whenFarrisfindsyoubeentryin’toduckhewon’tdo
nothin’tohelpyou.”
Thegirlhadknownofmanywhohadgonetothepenonslighterevidencethan
this.Sheknewthatthepolicehadbeensearchingforsomeoneuponwhomto
fastenthemurderofawellknownbusinessmanwhohadnotbeenmurderedat
all,butwhohadhadthelackofforesighttosuccumbtoanattackofacute
endocarditisinthehallwayoftheFarrisplace.
Thesearchingeyesoftheplain-clothesmanhadnotfailedtodetectthelittle
shudderofhorrorthathadbeenthevisiblereactioninthegirltothesudden
recollectionsinducedbymentionofthatunpleasantaffair,andwhilehehadno
reasonwhatevertosuspectheroranotherofanycriminalresponsibilityforthe

man’sdeath,yethemadeamentalnoteoftheeffecthiswordshadhaduponher.
Hadshenotbeenaninmateofthehouseatthetimethethingoccurred?Andwas
itnotjustpossiblethatanexcellentpolicecasemightbeworkedupabouther
lateriftheexigenciesoftheservicedemandedabrilliantpolicecouptodistract
thepublic’sattentionfromsomemoreimportantcaseinwhichtheyhad
blundered?
Foramomentthegirlwassilent.Howbadlyhehadfrightenedherwithhis
threatMr.Doartyhadnotthefaintestconception,nor,couldhehaveguessedthe
pitiablebeatingofherheart,wouldhehavebeenabletoconjecturethereal
causeofheralarm.Thatthepolicemanwouldassumecriminalguiltinher
shouldsheallowherperturbationtobecometooapparentshewellknew,andso,
forthemomentofhersilence,shestruggledtoregainmasteryofherself.Nor
wassheunsuccessful.
“Itwouldn’tgetyouanything,”shesaid,“tofollowthatlay,forthereportofthe
coroner’sphysicianshowsthatMr.—thatthemandiedofheartdisease.But,


cuttingoutallthisfoolishness,I’llsweartoacomplaintagainstFarrisifyou
wantmeto—ifyouthinkthatitwillgetyouanything.Though,andyoucantake
itfrommewhoknows,it’smorelikelytogetyouaprairiebeatoutBrighton
way—there’smanyabullpullin’hisboxtonightoutinthewildernesswho
thoughtthathecouldputoneoveronAbeFarris—andFarrisisstilldoin’
businessattheoldstand.”
AstheytalkedtheyhadbeenwalkingtowardthestreetandnowDoartycrossed
overtothecornerwiththegirlandpulledforthewagon.
“Whatdiditstandyoutoforgettheguy’sname?”heasked,aftertheyhadstood
insilenceforatimeawaitingthewagon’stardyarrival.
“Theyofferredmeahundred,”shereplied.
“An’,ofcourse,youdidn’ttakeit,”heventured,grinning.
Thegirlmadenoresponse.

“Thenewspaperssuresufferedanawfulshockwhentheyfoundtheoldbloke
wasoneofthebiggeststockholdersintwoStateStreetdepartmentstores,”
continuedMr.Doartyreminiscently.“Theysayhisfamilyroutedtheadvertising
managerofeverypaperinthecityoutofbedatoneo’clockinthemorning,and
thatthreemorningpapershadtopulloutthestoryaftertheyhadgonetopress
withit,andstickinacolumnobituarytellin’allaboutwhathehaddoneforhis
cityandhisfellowman,withacutofhismuginplaceofthefrontpagecartoon
—gee!butitmustbegreattohaveadraglikethat.”
“Yes,”saidthegirlinafaintvoice.
Faintlyinthedistanceagongdanged.
“Themguysissuretakin’theirtime,”observedMr.Doarty.
Alittlecrowdhadgatheredaboutthecoupleatthepolice-box,onlymildly
curious,foranarrestisnouncommonthinginthatsectionoftown;andwhen
theydiscoveredthatnoonehadbeencutup,orshotup,andthattheprisoner
wasscandalouslysobertheyceasedeventobemildlycurious.Bythetimethe
wagonarrivedthetwowereagainalone.


AtthestationthegirlsignedacomplaintagainstoneAbeFarris,andwasthen
lockeduptoinsureherappearanceincourtthefollowingmorning.
OfficerDoarty,warrantinhand,fairlyburnedthepavementbacktoFarris’s.It
hadbeenmanyamonthsincehehadmadeanarrestwhichgavehimassincere
personalpleasureasthisone.HeroutedFarrisoutofbedandhustledhiminto
hisclothes.This,hesurmised,mightbethesolesatisfactionthathewould
derive,sincethemunicipalcourtjudgebeforewhomthepreliminaryhearing
wouldcomelaterinthemorningmight,inalllikelihood,dischargethe
defendant.
Ifthegirlheldoutandprovedagoodwitnesstherewasaslightchancethat
Farriswouldbeheldtothegrandjury,inwhicheventhewouldderiveacertain
amountofunpleasantnotorietyatatimewhenpublicopinionwasarousedby

thevicequestion,andthemayorinamostreceptivemoodformakingpolitical
capitalbytherevocationofafewsaloonlicenses.
AllthiswouldprovebalmtoMr.Doarty’sinjuredsensibilities.
Farrisgrumbledandthreatened,butofftothestationhewentwithoutevenan
opportunitytotelephoneforabondsman.Thatheprocuredoneanhourlaterwas
nofaultofMr.Doarty,whoemployedhismostpersuasiveEnglishinan
endeavortoconvincethesergeantthatMr.Farrisshouldbelockedupforthwith,
andgivennoaccesstoatelephoneuntildaylight.Butthesergeanthadno
particulargrudgeagainstMr.Farris,while,ontheotherhand,hewaspossessed
ofalargefamilytowhomhismonthlypaycheckwasanitemofconsiderable
importance.SotoMr.Farris,hewasaffablecourtesypersonified.
Thusitwasthatthedefendantwentfree,whiletheinjuredoneremainedbe-kind
prisonbars.
Farris’sfirstactwastoobtainpermissiontoseethegirlwhohadsworntothe
complaintagainsthim.Asheapproachedhercellheassumedajocularsuavity
thathewasfarfromfeeling.
“Whatyoudoin’here,Maggie?”heasked,bywayofanopening.
“AskDoarty.”
“Didn’tyouknowthatyou’dgettheworstofitifyouwenttobuckin’me?”


queriedFarris.
“Ididn’twanttodoit,”repliedthegirl;“thoughthat’snotsayin’thatsomeone
hadn’toughttodoittoyougoodan’proper—yougotitcomin’toyou,allright.”
“Itwon’tgetyounothin’,Maggie.”
“Maybeit‘llgetmemyclothes—that’sallIwant.”
“Whydidn’tyousaysointhefirstplace,then,andnotgostirrin’upalotofhell
thisway?”askedFarrisinaninjuredtone.“Ain’tIalwaysbeenonthesquare
withyou?”
“Sure!Youbeenasstraightasacorkscrewwithme.”

“Didn’tIkeepthebullsfromguessin’thatyouwastheonlygirlintheplacethat
hadanyrealreasonforwantin’tocroakold—theoldguy?”continuedMr.Farlis,
ignoringthereverseEnglishonthegirl’slaststatement.
Alittleshiverranthroughthegirlatmentionofthetragedythatwasstillfreshin
hermemory—herownlifetragedyinwhichthedeathoftheoldmaninthe
hallwayatFarris’shadbeenbutaminorincident.
“Whatyougoin’totellthejudge?”askedFarrisafteramoment’spause.
“Thetruth—thatyoukeptmethereagainstmywillbylockingmyclothesup
whereIcouldn’tget‘em,”shereplied.
“Iwasonlykiddin’—youcould‘a’had‘emanyoldtime.Anyways,therewasn’t
nocallforyourdoin’this.”
“Yougotafunnywayofkiddin’;butevenatthat,Ididn’thaveanyideaof
peachin’onyou—hemademe,”saidthegirl.
“Who?Doarty?”
Thegirlnodded.“Sure–whoelse?He’sgotitinforyou.”
Farristurnedawaymuchrelieved,andanhourlateracoloredmandelivereda
packageatthestationforMaggieLynch.Itcontainedthegirl’sclothes,andan


envelopeinwhichwerefivegerm-laden,butperfectlygood,ten-dollarbills.
Thematronsmiledassheopenedtheenvelope.
“Somefox,”shesaid.
“Somefox,isright,”repliedthegirl.


CHAPTERII
ANDWIRESAREPULLED
THERev.TheodorePursensatatbreakfast.Withhisrighthandhedalliedwith
icedcantaloup.Theseasonwasyoungforcucumismelo;butwhowoulddesirea
leanshepherdforafatflock?CertainlynottheRev.TheodorePursen.Aslender,

well-manicuredleftsupportedanearlyeditionofthe“Monarchofthe
Mornings,”asheetwhichquitemadeupinvolumeofsoundandincolorforany
lackofsimilarityinotherrespectstothelionofpoetryandromance.
OnthetableinhisstudywerethetwomorningpaperswhichtheRev.Pursen
readandquotedinpublic—theMonarchwasfortheprivacyofhisbreakfast
table.
Acrossfromthedivinesathisyoungassistant,whosharedthefarmorethan
comfortablebachelorapartmentsofhissuperior.
TheRev.Pursenlaiddownthepaperwithasigh.
“Ahme,”hesaid.
Hisassistantlookedupinpoliteinterrogation.
“Thisis,indeed,anungratefulworld,”continuedMr.Pursen,scoopinga
deliciousmouthfulfromthemelon’sheart.“Hereisaninterviewwithan
assistantStateattorneyinwhichhementionsimpracticalreformersseekingfree
advertisingandcheapnotoriety.InviewofthetalkIhadwithhimyesterdayI
cannotbutbelievethatherefersdirectlytome.
“Itisasadcommentaryuponthemoralperspectiveofthetypeofrisingyoung
menofto-day,whichthispersonsotrulyrepresents,thatulteriormotivesshould
beascribedtoeverynobleandunselfishact.Towhat,indeed,arewecoming?”
“Yes,”agreedtheassistant,“whitherarewedrifting?”
“Butwasitnoteverthus?Havenotweoftheclothbeenevermartyrstothe
causeoftruthandrighteousness?”


“Tootrue,”sighedtheassistant,“wehave,indeed.”
“Yet,ontheotherhand,”continuedMr.Pursen,“thereisanoccasionalnoteof
encouragementthatmakesthefightingofthebattleworthwhile.”
“Forexample?”suggestedtheassistant.
Mr.Pursenturnedagaintothe“MonarchoftheMornings.”
“Hereisaquarterofacolumndevotedtoaninterviewwithmeontheresultof

myinvestigationofconditionsinsupposedlyrespectableresidencedistricts.The
articlehasbeengivenmuchgreaterprominencethanthataccordedtothe
misleadingstatementsoftheassistantStateattorney.Iamsurethatthousandsof
peopleinthisgreatcityareeventhisminutereadingthisnoticeableheading—let
ushopethatitwillbearfruit,howevermuchonemaydecrytheunpleasant
notorietyentailed.”
Mr.Pursenheldupthenewspapertowardhisassistant,whoread,intypehalfan
inchhigh:
PURSENPILLORIESPOLICE
“Theointmentsurroundingthefly,asitwere,”suggestedtheassistant.
Mr.Pursenlookedquicklyattheyoungman,butdiscoveringnosignoflevityin
hisexpression,handedthepaperacrossthetabletohimandresumedhisattack
uponthecantaloup.Amomentlaterthetelephone-bellsoundedfromthe
extensionatMr.Pursen’selbow.
“Yes?”inquiredMr.Pursen.
“Hello.Dr.Pursen?”
“Yes.”
“ThisisDoarty.”
“Oh,yes;goodmorning,officer,”greetedMr.Pursen.
Mr.Doartycamerighttothepoint.Heknewwhentobeataboutthebushand


whennotto.
“Youbeentryin’tocloseupFarris’splaceforsixmonths;butyouain’tnever
beenabletogetthegoodsonhim.Igot‘emforyou,now.”
“Good,”exclaimedMr.Pursen.“Tellmeaboutit.”
Mr.Doartyunburdenedhimself.
“ThegirlwillbeincourtthismorningtoappearagainstFarris,”heconcluded.
“You’dbettergettoherquick,beforetheydo,andstickuntilshe’scalled.She’ll
needbolstering.”

“I’llcomedownrightaway,”repliedMr.Pursen.“Good-by,andthankyou.”
“Andsay,”saidDoarty,“youcangiveitoutthatyoutippedmeofftothewhole
thing—I’djustassoonnotappearinitanymorethanIcanhelp.”
‘“Justso,”repliedMr.Pursen,andhungupthereceiver.
Asheturnedbackhisassistanteyedhimquestioningly.
“MyfriendMr.Doartyhasstartedsomethingwhichheisexperiencingdifficulty
interminating,”guessedMr.Pursenshrewdly.
Ataquarterbeforetentheclergymanenteredthecourtroom.Hehadno
difficultyinlocatingthegirlhesought,thoughtheroomwaswellfilledwith
witnesses,friends,andrelativesofthevariousprisonerswhoweretohavetheir
preliminaryhearings,andtheidlecurious.
“IamtheRev.Mr.Pursen,”hesaidwithsmilinglipsashetookherhand.
Thegirllookedhimsquarelyintheeyes.
“Icomeasafriend,”continuedMr.Pursen.“Iwishtohelpyou.Tellmeyour
storyandwewillseewhatcanbedone.”
Therewerethreeyoungmenwiththeclergyman.Theyhadmethim,by
appointment,attheentrancetothecourtroom.Thegirleyedthem.
“Reporters?”sheasked.


“Representativesofthethreelargestpapers,”repliedMr.Pursen.“Youwillbe
quitefamousbytomorrowmorning,”headdedplayfully.
WhenMr.Pursenhadintroducedhimselfagreathopehadsprungmomentarily
intothegirl’sheart—alongingthatthreemonthsatFarris’shadallbutstifled.
Vainregretsseldomannoyedhernow.Shehadattainedadegreeofstoicismthat
threemonthsearlierwouldhaveseemedimpossible;butwithcontactwithone
fromthatotherworldwhichcircumstanceshadforbiddenhereveragaintohope
toenter—withthevoicingofakindword—withtheplayofasmilethatwas
neithercarnalnorcondescendingcameasuddenwellingofthedesireshehad
thoughtquitedead—thedesiretoputbehindherforeverthelifethatshehad

beenliving.
ForaninstantalittlegirlhadlookedintotheeyesoftheRev.Mr.Pursen,
preparedtodoandbewhateverMr.Pursen,outofthefulnessofbrotherlylove,
shouldcounselandguidehertodoandbe;butMr.Pursensawonlyawomanof
thetown,andtosuchwerehiswordsaddressedwithanargumentwhichhe
imaginedwouldappealstronglytoherkind.Anditwasawomanofthetown
whoansweredhimwithahardlaugh.
“Nothingdoing,”shesaid.
Mr.Pursenwassurprised.Hewaspained.Hehadcometoherasafriendin
need.Hehadofferedtohelpher,andshewouldnotevenconfideinhim.
“Ihadhopedthatyoumightwishtoleadabetterlife,”hesaid,“andIcame
preparedtoofferyoueveryassistanceinsecuringapositionwhereyoumight
earnarespectableliving.Icanfindahomeforyouuntilsuchapositionis
forthcoming.Canyounotseethehorrorsofthelifeyouhavechosen?Canyou
notrealizetheawfuldepthsofdegradationtowhichyouhavecome,andthestill
blackerabyssthatyawnsbeforeyouifyoucontinuealongthedownwardpath?
Yourbeautywillfadequickly—itslifebloodsappedbythegnawingcankerof
viceandshame,andthenwhatwilltheworldholdforyou?Naughtbutafew
horribleyearsofprematureandhideousoldage.”
“Andthewaytostartanewandbetterlife,”repliedthegirlinalevelvoice,“is
toadvertisemyshameuponthefrontpagesofthreegreatdailynewspapers–
that’syouridea,eh?”
Mr.Pursenflushed,veryfaintly.


“Youmisunderstandmeentirely,”hesaid.“Iabhorasmuchasanyhumanbeing
canthenecessitywhichcompelssomuchpublicityinthesematters;butitisfor
thegreatestgoodofthegreatestnumbersthatIlabor—thatallofusshouldlabor.
Ifthepublicdoesnotknowoftheterribleconditionswhichprevailundertheir
verynoses,howcanweexpectittorouseitselfandtakeactionagainstthese

conditions?
“Nogreatreformiseveraccomplishedexceptupontheclamorousdemandofthe
people.Thepolice—infactallcityofficials—knowoftheseconditions;butthey
willdonothinguntiltheyareforcedtodoit.Onlythepeoplewhoelectthemand
whosemoneypaysthemcanforcethem.Wemustkeepthehorrorsofthe
underworldconstantlybeforethevotersandtaxpayersuntiltheyriseand
demandthatthefesteringsoreintheveryheartoftheirmagnificentcitybecured
forever.
“Whataremypersonalfeelings,oryours,comparedwiththegreatgoodtothe
wholecommunitythatwillresultfromthesuccessfulfruitionofthehopesof
thoseofuswhoarefightingthisgreatbattleagainstthedevilandhisminions?
Youshouldratherjoyfullyembracethisopportunitytocastoffthebondsofhell,
andbyenlistingwiththelegionofrighteousnessatoneforallyoursinfulpastby
aself-sacrificingactintheinterestofyourfellowman.”
Thegirllaughed,aratherunpleasant,mirthlesslaugh.
“My‘fellowman’!”Shemimickedthepreacher’soratoricalstyle.“‘Itwasmy
fellowmanwhomademewhatIam;itwasmyfellowmanwhohaskeptmeso!
itismyfellowmanwhowishedmetoblazonmydegradationtotheworldasa
priceforaid.”
Asshespoke,thevernacularoftheunderworldwithitscoarseslangandvile
Englishslippedfromherspeechlikeashabbydisguisethathasbeendiscarded,
andshespokeagainasshehadspokeninherotherlife,beforeconstant
associationwithbeastsandcriminalshadlefttheirmarkuponherspeechas
uponhermindandmorals;butasthefirstflushofindignationpassedsheslipped
againintothenowaccustomedrut.
“Tohellwithyouandyourfellowmen,”shesaid.“Nowbeatit.”
Mr.Pursen’sdignityhadsufferedamostsevereshock.Heglancedatthethree
youngmen.Theyweregrinningopenly.Herealizedthehumiliatingstoriesthey

wouldwritefortheirrespectivepapers.Notatallthekindofstorieshehadbeen
picturingtohimself,inwhichtheRev.Mr.Pursenwouldshineasanoble
Christianreformerlaboringforthesalvationofthesinnerandtheupliftofthe
community.Theywouldmakehorridjokesoftheoccurrence,andpeoplewould
laughattheRev.Mr.Pursen.
Astingingrebukewasuponhislips.Hewouldmakethiswomanrealizethe
greatgulfthatlaybetweentheRev.Mr.Pursenandsuchasshe.Hewouldlether
seetheloathingwithwhichagoodmanviewedherandherkind;butashe
openedhismouthtospeak,hisbetterjudgmentcametohisrescue.Thewoman
woulddoubtlessmakeascene–hersorthadadecidedpenchantforsuchthings—
shemightevenresorttophysicalviolence.
Ineithereventtheresultantnewspaperstorieswouldbedecidedlyworsethanthe
mostglaringexaggerationswhichthethreeyoungmenmightconcoctfromthe
presentunfortunateoccurrence.
SotheRev.Mr.Pursenstifledhistrueemotions,andwithasorrowfulshakeof
hisheadturnedsadlyfromhisthanklesstask;and,indeed,whyshoulda
shepherdwastehisvaluabletimeuponaworthlesssheepthatpreferredtostay
astray?Itwasevidentthathehadlostsightentirelyofthegreatergoodthat
wouldfollowtheconvictionofFarris,forhehadnotevenmentionedthecaseto
thegirlorattemptedtoencouragehertomakethemostofthisopportunityto
bringthemantojustice.
Farris’scasewascalledshortlyaftertheclergymanleftthecourtroom.Theman
hadanarrayofwitnessespresent—toswearthatthegirlhadremainedinhis
houseofherownvolition—thatshecouldhaveleftwhenshepleased;butthe
girl’sstory,coupledwiththeveryevidentfactthatshewaswhollyindifferentas
totheoutcomeofthecase,resultedintheholdingofFarristothegrandjury.
Itwaswhattheresort-keeperhadanticipated,andashewasagainreleasedon
bailhelostnotimeinseekingouttheheadofacertaingreatreal-estatefirmand
layingbeforehimabriefoutlineoftheterriblewrongthatwasbeing
contemplatedagainstMr.Farris,and,incidentally,againstpresentreal-estate

rentalvaluesinthedistrictwhereMr.Farrisheldforth.
“Yousee,”saidMr.Farris,“thereaintnothin’tothisthing,anyway.It’sjusta
caseofthegirlbein’soreonmebecauseIhadfiredher,soshecooksupthis


story,andgetsmepinched.It’sashame,andmegivingheragoodhomeanda
swelljobwhenshedidn’tknownobodyintheburg.
“It’stoobad,”andMr.Farrisheavedanoilysigh.“It’stoodamnbadwhenyou
thinkofwhatit’llmeantothepropertyownersdownthere.Why,ifthegrand
juryvotesatruebillagainstmeit’llstartthemfakereformersbuzzin’around
thickasfliesinthewholedistrict,andtherewon’tbenothin’toitbutabunchof
saloonlicensestakenawaybythemayor,andastringofhousesclosedup;and
thenwhere’llyoube?
“Why,thebestyoucandoforyears‘llbetorentthemplacestofurrinersatsix
andeightdollarsamonth,andjustlookattheswellrentsyou’regettin’for‘em
now.Yes,sir!Somethin’sgottobedoneintheinterestsofpropertyvaluesdown
there,forafterwegoyoucouldn’tgetdecentpeopletoliveintheneighborhood
ifyoupaid‘em,tosaynothin’ofgettin’rentfrom‘em—why,theycan’teven
use‘emforbusinesspurposes!Customerswouldn’tdarecomeintothe
neighborhoodforfearsomeonewouldseethem,andstraightgirlswouldn’t
workinnosuchlocality.
“IfIwasyouI’dgetbusy.Seeyourprincipalsthismornin’,andget‘emtoputit
upstraighttotheStateattorneythatitain’tintheinterestsofpublicmoralityto
pushthisreformgamenofurther.Why,lookwhatit‘lldo—closeuptheredlightdistrict,an’you’llhavethemgirlsscatteredallthroughtheresidence
districts,wherevertheycanrentalittleflat;mayberightnextdoortoyouan’
yourfamily.Andthenlookatwhatthat’lldotopropertyeverywhere.Itwon’tbe
onlytheoldleveevaluesthat‘llslump,buthereandtherethroughtheresidence
districtsnorth,south,andwrestthemgirls‘llgetinandputwholeblocksonthe
blink.
“Well,IguessyouknowasmuchaboutitasIdo,anyway;soI’llblowalong.I

gottoseemyalderman,andifIhadthefrontthatyouandyourprincipalscan
putupI’dsee“—andhereMr.Farrisleanedforwardandwhisperedanameinto
thereal-estateagent’sear.“Hecanputthekiboshonthiswholereformgameif
hewantsto;andtakeitfromme,thereain’tnobodythatcan’tbemadetowant
todoanythingonearthifyoucanfindthewaytoget‘emwheretheylive,”and
Mr.Farrisslappedhisright-handtrouser-pocketuntilthecoinsthereinrang
merrily.
Thereal-estateagentpursedhislipsandshookhishead.


“Youcannotreachthatmaninanysuchwayasthat,”hesaid.
Mr.Farris,rising,laughed.“Ohsplash,”hesaid,andstartedforthedoor.“Well,
dowhatyoucanatyourend,andI’llworkfromthebottomup;andsay,don’t
forgetthatifyousugar-coatit,thebestof‘emwillgrabforit.”
Thenhewentandhadatalkwithhisalderman,who,inturn,sawsomeoneelse,
whosawsomeoneelse,whosawanotherparty;andthereal-estateagentsaw
severalofhisprincipals,andatluncheonhetalkedwithmanyofhiscolleagues,
whohastenedforthwithtoconferwiththebigmenwhosepropertytheyhandled.
InadayortwotherebegantofilterintotheStateattorney’sofficebymail,by
phone,andbypersonalcallacontinuousstreamofrequeststhathemovewith
extremecautioninthefightagainstvicewhichthereformerswereurginghimto
initiate.
Theargumentsallweresimilar.Theyharpeduponthedangerofscatteringthe
viciouselementthroughoutthecity—theywerepleasforthesafetyofthewives
anddaughtersofthepetitioners.
“Abolishtheredlightdistrict,”saidone,“andthecriminalsanddegeneratesof
theunderworldwillhuntourwivesanddaughtersasthewolvesofthenorth
woodshunttheirprey—therewillbenosafetyforthemuponthestreetsnor
withintheirownhomes.Banishthewomenofthelevee,andastateofanarchy
andrapinewillfollow.ForthesakeofthegoodwomenofthecityIpraythat

youwillstandfirmagainstthefallaciousargumentsofpaidreformersand
notorietyseekers.”
Noonementionedpropertyvalues—thepillhadbeenproperlycoated.TheState
attorneysmiled.Mentallyhehadbeenroughlyestimatingthepoliticalinfluence
ofeachpetitioner.Whenaneditorialappearedinoneoftheleadingdailiesunder
thecaption,“GoSlow,Mr.StateAttorney,”inwhichalltheseargumentswere
rehashedandthesuggestionmadethatanothercommissionbeappointedto
investigateandrecommendasolutionoftheviceproblem,helaughedaloud,for
didhenotknowthattheunclesandauntsandsisters-in-lawofthatgreatpaper
ownednearlyathirdoftherealestateinthesegregateddistrict?
ButtheStateattorneyknewthatnomanknewwhatwouldbetheresultofthe
adoptionofthedrasticsuggestionsofthereformers,soitwasaneasymatterfor
himtojustifyhimselftohimselfwhenhewagedhisbitterwarofwordsagainst


vice,andgaveprivateinstructionstohisassistantsinthesafetyandseclusionof
hisownoffice—instructionsthatdidnotalwaysexactlyharmonizewiththe
noblesentimentsenunciatedinthetypewritten“statements”passedout
impartiallytotherepresentativesofthepressforpublication.
TheStateattorneywasfarfrombeingacorruptman;buttheviceproblemhad
beentheplaythingofreformersandpoliticiansforyears;itwasasoldasthe
sexes;itneverhadbeensolved,andthechanceswerethatitneverwouldbe.If
hehadspokenhismindhewouldprobablyhaveadmittedthathewasafraidof
it,entirelyfromsociologicalreasons,andapartfromitspoliticalaspect.
ButtheStateattorneywasinnopositiontospeakhistruemindonmany
subjects—hehoped,someday,torunforGovernor.
Andsoitwasthathecalledanassistanttohisofficeandpouredwordsof
wisdomintohisattentiveear.
“Andwhatsortofabunchhaveyougotthismonth?”heconcluded.
“Oh,justaboutasusual.Acoupleofbankpresidents,someretiredcapitalists,

severaldepartmentmanagers,andonefarmer.They’renewnow,butbythetime
thatcasereachesusthey’llbetiredofthegrindandreadytojumpthrough
wheneverItell‘emto.”
ThusspaketheyoungassistantStateattorneyoftheancientandhonorablegrand
jury.


CHAPTERIII
THEGRANDJURY
TWOweekshadelapsedsinceMr.Farrishadbeenheldforthegrandjury.He
hadbeenatlibertyonbail.Thegirl,againstwhomtherehadbeennocharge,had
beenheld,virtuallyaprisoner,inahomeforerringwomenthatshemightbe
availableasawitnesswhenneeded.
Thegrandjurywasreturningafterlunchfortheafternoonsession.Something
theyhaddonethepreviousdayhadarousedtheassistantStateattorney’sire,so
thathehadfeltjustifiedinpunishingtheirfoolishtemeritywithtwocallsthat
dayinsteadofone.
Alittlegrouphadgatheredinthefrontofthejury-room.Theywerediscussing
thecasespassed,andspeculatinguponthosetocome.Oneandallwerewearied
withthemonotonyofthedutytheStatehadimposeduponthem.
“Andtheworstofitis,”saidoneoftheyoungermembersofthepanel,“it’sall
soutterlyfutile.WhenIwassummonedasagrandjurorIhadakindoffeeling
thattheStatehadplacedagreatresponsibilityuponmyshoulders,thatshehad
honoredmeaboveothermen,andplacedmeinapositionwhereImighthelpto
accomplishsomethingreallyworthwhileformyfellowman.”
Oneofthebankpresidentslaughed.
“Andtherealityyoufindtobequitedifferent,eh?”
“Quite.Ihearonlyonesideofagreatstringofsordid,revoltingstories,andI
hearnothingmorethantheassistantStateattorneywishesmetohear.Thereare
momentousquestionsstirringthepeopleofthecity,butwhenwesuggestthatwe

shouldinvestigatetheconditionsunderlyingthemwearetoldthatwearenotan
investigatingbody—thatthosequestionsarenoneofourbusinessunlesstheyare
broughttoourattentionthroughtheregularchanneloftheStateattorney’s
office.Wearetoldthatthejudgewhochargedustoinvestigatethesevery
conditionshadneverchargedagrandjurybefore,andwhiledoubtlesshemeant
wellhedidn’tknowwhathewastalkingabout.”


“Iunderstand,”saidanotherjuror,“thatwewillgetourchanceatthevice
problemto-day‘throughtheregularchannel’—theAbeFarriscaseisonthe
docketforthisafternoon.”
“Andwhatwillwedo?”askedtheyoungman.“We’lllistentoanswerstosuch
questionsastheassistantStateattorneyseesfittoask,andifwestartasking
embarrassingquestionshe’llhavethesergeant-at-armshustlethewitnessoutof
thejury-room.Thenwe’llhemandhaw,andendupbydoingwhateverthe
assistantStateattorneywantsustodo.We’vedoneitoneveryimportantcase—
youwatch.”
“Youarequitefight,sir,”spokeuparetiredcapitalist.“Intheorythegrandjury
systemisthebulwarkofourliberty—itwas,infact,whenitwasinstitutedinthe
twelfthorthirteenthcentury,atatimewhentherewereseveralhundredcrimes
punishablebydeath;butnowthatthereareonlytwo,murderandtreason,itisa
uselessandwastefulrelicofadeadpast.
“Thecourtthatiscompetenttoholdmentothegrandjuryismuchmore
competenttoindictthemthanisthegrandjuryitself.Infact,incaseswherethe
punishmentislessthandeaththecourtthatnowentertainsthepreliminary
hearingmight,tomuchbetteradvantagetoboththeaccusedandpublic,pass
sentenceatonce.Ithearsbothsides,butallthatitcandoisdischargethe
prisonerorholdhimforthegrandjury.Afterthisthereistheexpenseofholding
theprisonerinjailuntilhiscasecomestous,andthenalltheexpensive
paraphernaliaofagrandjuryisrequiredtothreshoveronlyonesideofwhathas

alreadybeenthoroughlyheardbeforeatrainedandcompetentjurist.Ifwevotea
truebillathirdexpensivetrialisnecessitated.”
“Personally,”saidOgdenSecor,theforemanofthejury,“thewholethingstrikes
measafarce.Thegrandjury,whilenotquitethetooloftheStateattorney’s
office,isconsideredbythemamoreorlessharmlessimpedimenttothe
transactionofthebusinessoftheiroffice—aburdentobeborne,butlightenedin
themostexpeditiousmanner.
“I,asforeman,amadummy;thesecretaryisadummy;thesergeant-at-armsisa
dummy.WelooktotheassistantStateattorneyfordirectioninoureverymove.
Wecomefrombusinessesinwhichwehavenever,inallprobability,comein
contactwithcriminallaw,andweareexpectedtograspthemachineryofour
newdutiesonamoment’snotice.


“Wereitpurelyamatterofjusticetobedispensed,Ihavenodoubtbutthatwe
mightdoquiteaswellasanycourt;butweareupagainstaverydifferentthing
fromjustice—ateveryhandwearetrammeledbylaw.”
TheassistantStateattorneyenteredtheroom.
“Sorrytohavebeenlate,gentlemen,”hesaid.“Callthenextcase,Mr.Sergeantat-arms,”andtheroutineofthejury-roomcommencedhalfanhourafterthe
appointedtime,althoughaquorumofthegrandjuryhadbeenpresentforthirtyfiveminutes.
ThelastcaseoftheafternooncallwasthatagainstAbeFarris.Therewereonly
twowitnesses—OfficerDoartyandthegirl,MaggieLynch.Doartyhadsuffered
aremarkablechangeofheartsincetheeveninghestoodinthealleybackof
Farris’s.Hewaschastenedinspirit.Hisrecollectionoftheaffairwasvague.
AftertheassistantStateattorneyhadceasedquestioninghimseveralofthe
jurorsaskedadditionalinformation.
“Whatsortofpersonisthecomplainingwitness,officer?”askedthebanker.
Mr.Doartylookedaboutandgrinnedsheepishly.Hewouldnothavebeenata
lossforawordtodescribeherhadafellowpolicemanaskedhimthisquestion,
butthisaugustbodyofdignifiedbusinessmenseemedtocallforaspecialbrand

ofdenatureddictioninthedescriptionofaspade.
“Oh,”hesaidfinally,“she’sjustliketherestof‘emdownthere—she’sonthe
town.”
“Wouldyoubelieveherstory?”askedthebanker.
Doartygrinnedandshrugged.“Hardtosay,”hereplied.
“Inyouropinion,officer,”askedtheassistantStateattorney,“haveyouanycase
againstFarris?Couldwegetaconviction?”
“No,Idon’tthinkyoucould,”answeredthepoliceman.Itwasthequestionhe
hadbeenawaiting.
“That’sall,officer,”saidtheassistantStateattorney.“Justamoment,Mr.
Sergeant-at-arms,beforeyoucallanotherwitness.”


“Amoment,please,officer;Iwanttoaskanotherquestionbeforeyougo,”spoke
uponeofthejurymen.
TheassistantStateattorneysighedandlookedbored.Hehadfoundthisthemost
effectivemeansofsilencingjurymen.
“AsIunderstandit,youworkedthiscaseup,amIright?”askedthejuryman.
“Yes,sir.”
“IfyouhadenoughevidencethreeweeksagotowarrantthearrestofFarris,why
haven’tyougotenoughnowtoinsureconviction?”
Doartylookeduncomfortable.Hefingeredhiscap,andturnedanappealinglook
towardtheassistantStateattorney.Thatfunctionarycametohisrescue.
“Yousee,Mr.—a—Smith,pardonmeforinterrupting,”hesaid,“thegirlswore
outawarrant,anditwasnecessarytomakethearrest.That’sall,officer,you
maygonow.”
“But,”insistedMr.Smith,“itwasquiteapparentfromthenewspaperaccountat
thetimethatthegirlwasanunwillingcomplainant—thatthepoliceofficer
workedupthecase.”
Inthemeantime,Doarty,onlytooanxioustodoso,hadleftthegrandjuryroom.Thesergeant-at-armsstoodwithhishandupontheknobofthedoor

lookingquestioninglyattheassistantStateattorney.
“Youdonotcaretoquestionanyotherwitnesses,doyou?”askedthatyoung
gentlemanofthejury.
“Whatotherwitnessesarethere?”askedMr.Smith.
“Onlythegirl,”repliedtheassistantStateattorney;“butyoucanseefromthe
officer’stestimonythatitisscarcelyworthourwhiletohearfromthegirl.You
mightaswelltakeavote,Mr.Foreman,”heconcluded,turningtowardOgden
Secor.
“Allthoseinfavorofatruebillraisetheirrighthands,”commandedMr.Secor.


“Justamoment,Mr.Foreman,”interruptedMr.Smith.
TheassistantStateattorneyscowledandsighed,thensettledbackinhischairin
martyrlikeresignation.Mr.Smithwasathornintheflesh.
“Itseemstome,Mr.Foreman,”saidMr.Smith,“thatuntilwehaveheardallthe
witnessesweareinnopositiontovoteintelligently.I,forone,aminfavorof
callinginthegirl.”
“Yes,”“Yes,”camefromseveralofthejurors.
Thesergeant-at-armslookedtowardtheassistantStateattorneyforauthority.
“Callthenextwitness,”saidOgdenSecor.
Thesergeant-at-armswassurprisedtoreceiveacommandfromtheforemanof
thejury,buttheassistantStateattorneymadenodemur,soheopenedthedoor.
“Nextwitness!”hecalled,andthegrandjuryclerk,whoseofficeisjustoutside
thegrandjury-room,beckonedtoagirlwhosatinachairinthefarcomer
shieldingherfacewithherarmfromtheglaringeyesoftwopresscameras.As
sherosetwoflashlightsexplodedsimultaneously.Thenshehurriedacrossthe
roomandpassedthroughthedoorwayintothepresenceofthegrandjury.
OgdenSecorhadhadnotthefaintestcuriosityregardingher.Fromearliest
boyhoodhehadlearnedtoshudderattheverythoughtofthehideous,painted
creatureswhopliedtheirsickeningvocationinapartofthetowntowhich

neitherbusiness,accident,norinclination,hadeverledhim.Foracity-bredman
whoseboyhoodhadbeensurroundedwitheveryluxuryandwhosespending
allowancehadbeenpracticallyunlimited,hewasremarkablyclean.Hishigh
idealswerestillunsullied,andthoughaman’smanmentallyandphysically,
morallyhewasalmostaprude.
Itwaswithdifficultythatheraisedhiseyestothegirl’sfaceasheadministered
theoath,anditwaswithadistinctshockofsurprisedincredulitythathesawthat
shewasneitherpaintednorhideous.Herbrowneyesfellthemomentthatthey
methis—therewasnoslightestsignofboldnessinthem,andwhensheturnedto
facethejuryastheassistantStateattorneybeganquestioningherherattitude
wasmerelyofquietself-possession.