More
circulars would be given out the next afternoon, and another attempt
to speak would be made that evening.
All this was duly impressed upon the boy, and then the little company
set forth. Dr. Barton walked on one side of him, and Everley on the
other; Mrs. Barton, Mrs. Stedman and Sophie came next, and Beggs and
Lippman brought up the rear. So they marched along; they kept their
eyes open, and every time they had to pass a man they gave him a wide
berth.
So they came to the place of the meeting. At the corner were the
Bremers and half a dozen others, who formed a ring about them. There
was a huge crowd, they said--the lot was thronged, and the people
extended to streets on every side. There was a score of policemen
scattered about, and no doubt there were many detectives.
Promptly on the minute of eight the little group approached. There was
a murmur of excitement among the waiting crowd, as they started to
force their way through. Samuel's heart was thumping like mad, and his
knees were trembling so that he could hardly walk. The people gave
way, and they found themselves in the center, where several of the
Socialists stood guard over the half dozen boxes from which the
speaking was to be done.
Without a moment's delay, Dr. Barton mounted up.
"Fellow citizens," he called in a clear, ringing voice; and instantly
a hush fell upon the crowd, and a thousand faces were turned toward
him.
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