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About The American. (Omaha, Nebraska) 1891-1899 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 19, 1898)
THE AMERICAN. THE WANDERING JEW. fct MM l M i i lis.. 1 1 ' ' m in t I It ? Mulv Mi"f unit; ttr (rh !n n tahi.'iMin. t!r I"! -I uHf hl ir.riud li diu' biter wiili l t Moil.ri U'lioh' diMpjtitr ttloP T M It W t IP l!k)tij dt Oif f, rn(rl ill .tl i lit tHP if the puMit l.otl'f l ill the t illace f VlUiriV 'tlilftlnl t trd dltrtlit fnun M llaidt ' fat ti v, The f-r I ! iu. pal I tnhnl itt' I by qiil I t mru Nlul ( iirtuttri , rniploved in ttoiking lit neighming qnarrie Nothing iuu I r tii'ler and mote llr and nt 1 1 to Mine time I' '1iiil'ly paid, limit the woik if linn rl t uf people. Therefore, A i tutu had told Mother Bunch, thry drew painful toinpnt bptttern their conditions, almost tiUay mhetuhle, and tin- coutfoit and coiiipata t i vc caio, enjoyed I'V M. I lartl v ' woikmcn, (hank In Iiim generous and intrllit nt manage turnt, and to tlio principles of association and community, It i It he had put in Tint ire among them. Misery and ignorance are always the cause of great t v i 1 ; . Misery is cosily excited to imcr, and ignorance neon yic Ida to perfidious counsels, Vol a long t hue, the happiness of M. 1 1 h rly m workmen hud been naturally euvie l'Ut not with a jealousy amoiiiiling to hatred. An soon, lioveer, as the secret enemies of the man- ufacturer, uniting with his rival Huron Tripeau iotil an interest in changing this peaceful state of things it changed accordingly. With diabolical skill and perseverance, they KllfCPnilml in Ltiiillimr IliB inoul m il iniuumiiii l!i means of chosen emissaries, they applied to those quarrynicn and stonecutters of the neighborhood, whoso bad conduct bud aggravated (heir misery Notorious for their turbulence, audacity, and en orgy, these men might exercise, u dangerous in fluence on the majority of their companions, who were peaceful, laborious and honest, but easily intimidated by violence. These turbulent lead- crs, previously embittered by misfortune, were booh impressed with an exaggerated idea of the happiness of M. Hardy's workmen, and excited to o jealous batte l of them. They went still furth cr; tlio incendiary Mormons of an abbe, a member of tbo Jesuits, who had conic expressly from Taris to preach during Lent against M. Hardy, acted powerfully on tbo minds of the women, who fillod the church, whilst their husbands were haunting tho taverns. Profiting by tbo growing fear, which tho approach of the Cholera then in spired, the preacher struck with terror these weuk and credulous imaginations by pointing to M. Hardy's factory us a centre of corruption and damnation, capable of drawing down the venge ance of Heaven, and bringing the fatal scourge upon the country. Thus the men, already in flamod with envy, were still more excited by the incessant urgency of their wives, who, maddened by tha abbe's sermons, poured their curses on that band of atheists, who might bring down so many misfortunes upon them and their children. Somo bad characters, belonging to tho factory of Baron Tripeaud, and paid by him (for it was a great interest the honorable manufacturer had in the ruin of M. Hardy), came to augment the gen. cral irritifiou, ami to complete it by raising one of those alarming union-questions, whic h in our day havo unfortunately cuused so much blood shed. Many of M. Hardy's workmen, before they entered his employ, had belonged to a socie. ty or union, called the Devourers; while many of the stonecutters in the neighboring quarries be longed to a soc iety called tho Wolves. Now, for u long time, an implacable rivalry had existed betwi'dii the Wolves and Devourers, and brought about many sanguinary struggles, which are the more to be deplored, as, in some respects, the idea of these unions is excellent, being founded on tho fruitful and mighty principle of associa lion. But unfortunately, instead of embracing all trades in one fraternal communion, these unions break up tho working-class into distinct and hostile societies, whose rivalry often leads to bloody collisions. Tor tho last week, the Wolves, excited by bo many different importun ities, burned to discover an occasion or a pretext to come to blows with the Devourers; but the lat ter, not, frequenting the public-houses, and hard ly leaving the factory during the week, had hith erto rendered such a meeting impossib'e, and the Wolves bad been forced to wait for the Sunday with ferocious impatience. Let it bo noted, to the working man's credit, that such outrageous scenes becomo more and more rare as he is enlightened to the full con sciousness of his worth. Such better tendencies are to bo attributed to the just influence of an ex cellent tract on trades' unions, written by M. Agricole Terdiginier, and published in 1S41, Taris. This author, a joiner, founded at his own expense and established in the Faubourg St. An- t-Miif, bi . in f ttt .r fifty -f bifrl I I tf (J Ifn, fif t t' r ! ! I a . ..!' t f fc. 1 1 , t. . . ' . I t . I ! k H k' Vf wri t I 'ir t f ) t i u l t- Mii n i ! It 1 M nt i 'I tl." 'I of. .? b ttlil. l Alt) II . In tt.rif . ! f j I f p, f lip, Tur in a !- M IVi'litm (nfotmrl u li st u tv n I lnh so n i b prtful mm li IStol tl -? ! II i; P.i! , In m I nli our i f li 1 lt h t r "( "n a f dj,M Iip I tin ii l .1, 1 1 1 In I VZ tin I nut tin n no pl of f t lb in tt I IU' ouh I nri' " kii bpp ru rt iid. r pnlh" boning t a burnfl nnd uplilit iiM!i, d olr I t bi fi llow.tnoik lorn Moteoter, s;rpitt imiuber v Ibe tjuinyiiieu nnd utoiit-cuttei , being pcitn l!i and btliik- ing prop!, bad rrfud. though Wolves them lelve, to join ihil lutile iminifttation gaiut the Devourers of M. llaidv's fitrtory; the tender h:id been obliged lo tet rtiit their forces from the vagabonds and idlers of the bariiers, whom the attraction nf tuuitilt and diordtr had enlisted undei the (lag of the warlike Wolves. Such then was the dull fermentation, which agitated the little village of Villiets, whilst the two men of whom wo have spoken were at table in the public-house. These men bad aked for a private room, that they might be alone. One of them was still young, nnd pretty well dressed. But the disorder in bis clothes, bis loose cravat, his shirt spotted with wine, his dishevelled hair, his look of fa- tigue, his marble complexion, bis bloodshot eyes, announced that, a night of debauch had preceded this morning; whilst his abrupt anil heavy ges ture, his hoarse voice, his look, sometimes bril liant, and sometimes stupid, proved that to the last fumes of the intoxication of the night before, were joined the fust attacks of a new state of drunkenness. The companion of this man said to him, as he touched his glass with his own " Your health, my boy! " "Yours!" answered the young man; though you look to me like the devil." "I! the devil?" "Yes." "Why?" "How did you come to know me?" "Do you repent that you ever knew mo?" "Who told you that I was a prisoner at Saiute rclagie?" " Didn't I take you out of prison? " " Why did you take me out? " " Because I have a good heart." " You are very found of me, perhaps just as the butcher likes tho ox that he drives to the slaughter-house." "Ate you mad ?" "A man does not pay a hundred thousand fratics for another without a motive." " I have a motive." "What is it? What do you want to do with me?" "A jolly companion, that will spend his money like a man, and pass every night liko the last. Good wine, good cheer, pretty girls, and gay songs. Is that such a bad trade?" After he had remained a moment without an swering, the young mtfn replied with a gloomy air: "Why, on tho eve of my leaving prison, did you attach this condition to my freedom, that I should write to my mistress to tell her that 1 would never see her again! Why did you exact this letter from me? " "A sigh ! what are you still thinking of her?" "Always." "You are wrong. Your mistress is far from I'aris by this time. I saw her get into tho stage- coach, before I came to take you out of Kainte. rclagie." " Yes, I was stifled in that prison. To get out, I would havo given my soul to the devil. You thought so, and therefore you came to me; only, instead of my soul, you took C'ejdiyso from me. Poor Bacchanal Queen! And why did you doit? Thousand thunders! Will you tell me?" " A man" as much attached to his mistress as you arc is no longer a man. He wants energy, when tho occasion requires." "What occasion?" "Let us drink l" ' You make me drink too much brandy." " Bah ! look at mo ! " "That's what frightens mo. It seems some- thing devilish. A bottle of brandy does not even make you wink. You must have a stomach of iron and a head of marble." " I have long travelled in Uussia. There we drink to roast ourselves." "And here to only warm. So let's drink- but wine." "Nonsense! wine is lit for children. Brandy for men like us! " "Well, then, brandy; but it burns, and Bclsthe head on fire, and then wo see all the flames of hell!" "That's how I like to see you, hang it!" "But when you told me that I was too much ! .r. t. u,, t h'Im .) . .! I nr- ll!tl I " i t I ii I ) 1 1 c I , nf ht ' I M -I .1 ,.l , k ; " I t til It. k ' "fi'j B tn.!tiM " I t!i it. i im if f m f- tl.Ah t tbftt . 'tf ! a( W t It b t tl(l t !t. MorlUMg " ! "Wfll, 1 ,t Yt.'l ki.o ,a I t.atr 111 H otV (nuil, tb t t bit IHiHt ninti.iii, rt'i I that, ! me C"' I fr'l", I tit milt h lArd U tljj IblMll toil Wrtlit til f.'l t4, t't i ;tt W i tbrr b-thitr " ' " Wbut thru " ' You ,iut bv pomp grltri . ! up i f ii t oiip pp ult..r in tvttdu . " " littt M-t"" " ViMI (Uf tutilhug ft !.iur aiiotit iiicu ih if lv, that tisdc in lnuket- I ' Ate imi a i unard T " 1 bumrd powtler 'in Jul v, I can tell you -make it inictakps' " i j "You would not mind burning route again?" j "Jul at will that nort of firework at any ii'ther. Only I liud revolution more agreeable jthuii ii'cful, all that I gut from the barrica les of the three iIhvs whs burnt bteet hes and a lost t jacket. AH the c ause won by nie, w ith its " For ward! March!" says." "You know many of Hardy's workmen?" "Oh! that's why you huve brought me down here?" "Yes you will meet with many of the work men from the factory." "Men from Hardy's take part in a row? No, no, they are too well oil' for that. You have been sold." ' " You w ill see presently." " I tell you they are too well oil'. What huve they to complain of? " " What of their brethern those who have not so good u master, and die of hunger and misery, and call on them for assistance? Do you think they w ill remain deaf to such a summons? Har tly is only an exception. Let the people but give u good pull all together, and tho exception will become the rule, and all tho world be happy." "What you say there is true; but it would be a devil of a pull that would make an honest man out of my old master, Baron Tripeaud, who made me what I am an out-and-out rip." "Hardy's workmen are coming; you are their comrade, and have no interest in deceiving them. They will believe you. Join with me in persuading them " "To what?" "To leave this factory, in which they grow effeminate and selfish, and forget their brolhera." " But if they leave the factory, how are they to live?" "Wo will provido for that on tho great day." "And what's to bo done till then?" " What you havo done hist night drink, luugh, sing, and, by way of work, cxercies themselves privately in the use of arms." "Who will bring theso workmen here?" "Homo ono has already spoken to them. They have had printed papers, reproaching them with indifference to their brothers, Come, will you support me ?" " I'll support you tho more readily as I can not very well support myself. I only cared for Cephyso in the world; I know that I am on a bad road; you are pushing me on further; let the bull roll! Whether we go to the devil one way or tho other is not of much consequence, Let's drink!" " Drink to our next night's fun; the hist was only apprenticeship." "Of what then are you mado? I looked at you and never saw you cither blush or smile, or cliangn countenance. l on are liko a man of iron." "I am not a lad of fifteen, It would take something more to make mo laugh. I shall laugh tonight." "I don't know if it's tho brandy; but, devil take me, if you don't frighten mo when you say you shall laugh tonight ! " So saying, tho young man rose, staggering; he began to bo onco more intoxicated. There was a knock at tho door. "Oouio in ! " Tho host made his appearance. "What's the matter?" "There's a young man below, who calls himself Olivier, Ho asks for M. Morok." "That's right. Let him como up." The host went out. " It is one of our men, but ho is alone," said Morok, whose savage countenance expressed dis appointment. " It astonishes me, for I expected a good number. Do you know him! " "Olivier? Yes a fair chap, I think." " We shall see him directly. Here he is." A young man, with an open, bold, intelligent coun tenance, at this moment entered the room. "What! obi Sleepinbufl! " he exclaimed, at sight of Morok's companion. "Myself. I have not seen you for an age, Olivier." "Simple enough, my boy. We do not work at tho same place," " But you are alone! " cried Morok; and point ing to Slecpinbuff, he added: " You may speak t . f I. H i 1 II itr . f t; B it l IP oi of . , l ilt in II, i . r .i v Mil a: !. ' 1 th "!,' mi I M . k. ttb a tj. f tiflo -n, . tiiri l "tl.tt fut ;ul Id.'"' " VI.1 ll ' ! v d' lb. it in. Hate ihf v no in oh ttii t.c lb ii .'ii.ri" " 1 1 ir. M,.. k, trii I iui hi Irtth Willi tt ttatk jr." an ltd Ohnt, tfoiN. "We hate trrt tvrd your b Ur, ami n n tour ftgrt.t Wr hat hnd proof that Iip i really ttnitiled ttith gttat ot ittirt, many mnobt i of which are kmn to u," Wfll' whv d toil bfnitate'1 -"Pint of all, nothing ptovel that thrp sot ilie ate tritdy to make a inovrnit nt," " I It II you thoy are." "He tells you they are," said Slcrpinhuff, stammering; "and I hie') affirm it. Forward! March'" "That's not enough," replied Olivier. "Bo sides, we have rcllected upon it. For a week the fiuUirv was divided, Kvcn vesterdav the discus sion was too warm to be pleasant. But this morning Father Simon called us to him; we ex plained oursches fully before him, and he brought us all to one mind. We mean to wait, and if any disturbance breaks out, we shall see." " Is that your final word?" " It is our hist word." " Silence!" cried Sleepinbuir, suddenly, as ,ho listened, balancing himself on his tottering legs. "It is like the noise of a crowd not far oil." A dull sound was indeed audible, which became every moment more ami more distinct, and at length grew formidable. " What is that ? " said Olivier, in surprise. "Now," replied Morok, smiling with a sinister air, " I remember the host told me there was a great ferment in the village against the factory. If you and your other comrades had separated from Hardy's other workman, as I hoped, these people who are beginning to howl would havo been for you, instead of against you." "This was a trap, then, set ono half of M. Har dy's workmen against the other! " cried Olivier; "you hoped that we should make common cause with these people against the factory, and that " The young man had not time to finish. A ter rible outburst of shouts, howls and hisses shook the tavern. At the same instant the door was abruptly opened, and the host, pale and tremb ling, hurried into tho chamber, exclaiming: "(Jentlemeu! do any of you work ut M. Hardy's factory ? " " I do," said Olivier. "Then you are lost, Here arc the Wolves in a body, saying there are Devourers bore from M, Hardy's, and offering them battle unless the Devourers will give up tho factory, and range themselves on their side." " It was a trap, there can be no doubt of it I " cried Olivier, looking at Morok and Slecpinbuff, with a threatening air; "if my mates had come, we were all to he let in." "I lay a trap, Olivier?" stammered Jacques Hennepont. "Never! " "Battle to the Devourers! or let them join tho Wolves!" cried tho angry crowd with one voico, as they appeared to invade the house. "Come!" exclaimed the host. Without giving Olivier time to answer, he seized him by tho arm, and opening a window which led to a roof at no very great height from the ground, he said to him: " Make your escape- by this window, let yourself slide down, and gain the fields; it is time." As tho you'ig workman hesitated, tho host addod, with a look of terror: "Alone, against a couple of hundred, what can you do? A minute more and you are lost. Do you not hear them? They have entered the yard; they are coming up." Indeed, ut this moment, the groans, hisses and cheers redoubled in violence; the wooden stair case which led to the first story shook beneath tho quick steps of many persons, and the shout arouse, loud and piercing; "Battle to the De vourers! " " Fly, Olivier! " cried Sleepinbuff, almost so bered by the clanger. Hardly had ho pronounced the words when tho door of the large room, which communicated with the small one in which they were, was burst open with a frightful crash. "Here they are! " cried tho host, clasping his hands in alarm. Then, running to Olivier, ho pushed him, as it were, out of the window; for, with one foot on tho eill, the workman still host, tated. The window once closed, the publican returned towards Morok tho instant tho latter entered tho large room, into which the leaders of the Wolves had just forced an entry, w hilst their companion) were vociferating in tho yard and on the stair case. Jbight or ten of these mailmen, urged by others to take part in theso scenes of disorder,