Argosy, Vol. 85, No. 3 — page 165: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

FIGHTING THE EGG KING. people to believe that it was the mob that had forced him to the low prices and that they had not been his intention from the first. If only he could work his way to the front, but this was impossible. He must stand here, an idle spectator and await developments. And then the mob closed in, pressed together, made of itself a body more com- pact. A great din arose. Shouts and jeers rent the air. Threats were no longer muttered beneath breaths or hissed into the ears of near-by companions, but were shouted openly. A few police, perhaps thirty or forty appeared on the outskirts of the crowd and tried to disperse the people, but mobs and riots were new to the police of this city and they were incompetent to handle the situation. The hope their presence had inspired in Karby died. By this time the rabble had pressed so close ‘to the building that Karby was scarcely forty feet from it. He could see a dim light burning through the windows and his deputies on guard armed to the teeth. The rioters increased their shouts and jeers. Waves of motion rippled over the mob as though they meant to rush the place and storm it by force. Some one presently hurled a brick which crashed through a window. At the noise of fall- ing glass the crowd went crazy. Karby sickened. It was all over. They were on the verge of violence. His deputies might control the situation by the use of arms, but this would be awful. Then suddenly the whole building blazed forth with light and made the surround- ing scenery bright as day. ‘Men could be seen hurrying to and fro in the store, and presently in every window there was posted one of the huge placards bearing the prices which were to go into effect Monday morning. The jeers of the crowd died. Silence developed. Those who could read English perused the signs hungrily. Presently a low hum rippled through the mob. They 507 were translating to their companions what they saw. | Again semblance of silence ensued as though the rabble were considering their course. This was intruded upon by yells of “It’s a lie! It’s a game! Don’t be- lieve those signs!” and Karby knew these cries came from paid instigators. Some shouted to burn the place, pro- visions and all,. while others shrieked to storm it and carry the foodstuffs away. But the majority were quiet. “The printed prices were there before their eyes. The multitude were plainly puzzled and perhaps disappointed. They had come to do violence. They were to be cheated of their prey. This was to be a store for them. These prices were within their reach. There was something wrong. In vain did the instigators try to in- cite violence, try to rush the people for- ward in a great attacking movement. But the throngs were plainly stirred, and Karby knew by the attitude of those near him that they had been impressed. The psychology of the mob is a study. It is like a torpedo—it must be handled rightly or it may boomerang and attack those that assembled it. Some one suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, “ Let’s get the egg king. He’s cornered eggs. He. admits it. He asks what is the public going to do about it. Let’s show him. To the egg king’s house, to the egg king’s house!” Karby caught a glimpse of the fellow who had raised the cry. It was the orator who had spoken that day on the train. In a second the mob had taken up the slogan, and Karby heard the noise of rushing feet, and the next instant the whole mass swung into movement and dashed on their way. Karby was swept along with them. His mind worked fast. Once they gained Truxton’s house the rage they would have vented on his store and food- stuffs would burst forth with increased and added vigor. Karby dared not think comicloool C©