THE OMAHA DAILY HE13 : SUNDAY , DECEMBER 20 , 1800. 11
THE MUTABLE MANY ,
BY ROBERT BARR ,
I ho Story of a labor Union. A Talc of Present Day Problem * , With f pliodes from Real life.
Copyright , ISM , by rtobert Dnrr.
OH'Al'TKH ' IX. CONT1NUKD ,
"Would you tell Mr. Hope tlint I wish to
jpoaU with him for a moment ? "
Hartley approached the newcomer with a
milling face nml extended hie hand.
"Oh , how-de-do , how-de-do ? 1 nm so glad
you found tlmo to romc to my llttlo affair.
You arc Ju t In time juat In time , don't
you know. "
Ilnrncy's artbtlc eye rapidly took In the
appearance ot his guest , and all at once he
realized that his clothes had not quite the
nlr of llond street about them , In spite of
tlio fact that they were flagrantly the best
suit his visitor had. The smite faded from
the artist's face.
"Oh , pardon me ! " ho added. "I thought I
recognl/ed you , but t don't think 1 have the
pleasure of "
"No , we arc not acquainted , Mr. Hope. I
am one of tbo workmen In your father's fac
tory. "
"lleally. You have some message for me ,
perhaps ? "
"I came of my own motion. I wish very
particularly to upcak to you on business. "
"Oh , but really , my Rood fellow , don't you
know. This Is my 'At Homo' day. I never
talk business on tlicrfc daya , never. If you
want to buy any of my pictures , or any
thing , don't you know , you must como an
other day. "
"t did not come about pictures , but about
something vastly different and more serious. "
"My good fellow you'll excuse my Inter
rupting you , won't you ? There Is no serious
business except art , and today I don't oven
talk art. "
"Human lives , " said Marstcn , hotly , "arc
more serious than art. "
"Please don't ralso your voice. You arc
certainly wrong about things , but I haven't
time to correct you today , don't you know.
All one needs to say nbout your last remark
IE that human lives arc ephemeral , while art
Is everlasting. Therefore , Is art thu more
Important of the two. Hut wu'll let that
pass. Can't you come and talk another day ?
I'm sure I shall bo delighted to ECO you at
any time. "
"Couldn't you give mo flvo minutes out
on the landing ? "
"It Is Impossible. I cannot leave my
guests. You BCC , wo have thu dancing carlen
on hi a few moments. Ills grace Is Just
now arranging his skirts. 1 really must go ,
don't you know. "
"Then I will stay until the earl has done
his dancing. If that Is what ho Is hero for. "
"lo , my dear fellow , do. A most excellent
Idea. I am mirn you will like It , for though
I have not seen the dance myself , I under
stand It Is quite unique. ' Have n cup of
tea. I would have sent you a card If I had
thought that nny of my father's workmen
WITO Interested In the latest movements or
art , but never mind the lack of Invitation.
If you care to stay without It , I shall bo de
lighted. It Is really very good of you to
drop In In thin unexpected way. Jt Is the
kind of thing I like , so Bohemian , don't you
know. You'll excuse me now , I'm sure , "
nnd Uarncy tripped nwny to sco that nil ar
rangements for Iho appearance of thu earl
were complete.
The model stand had been pushed to one
end of the room fronting the audience ; heavy
curtains had been drawn across the big north
window , leaving the place In semi-darkness ;
tliero was the hissing and sputtering ot a
llmo light In the gallery , causing Inquisitive
people to turn their heads to sco what It
wan.
wan.Marstcn stood against the wall beside an
other man , who said to htm In a weary tone :
"Who la this man , Harnard Hope ? "
"Ho la an artist , " answered Marsten , as
tonished that ono guc t should question n
stranger regarding their mutual host.
"nvldcntly. " replied the other. "Dut who
nro his people , or has he any ? "
"Ills father Is one ot the richest manufac
turers In London. "
"Kgad , I was sure of It. I knew there
was a shop somewhere In the background ,
the fellow Is so beastly civil. "
Conversation was hero Interrupted by a
figure leaping on the model stand , while at
the same Instant a blinding white light was
thrown fronuthe gallery upon It. There was
a ripple of applause , and the earl , a beard
less youth.of perhaps 20 , bowed. Ho looked
likea girl In his clinging llutcd skirts. He
was a scion of an ancient noble family ,
founded by an affectionate dancer ot the op-
. poslte sex In the reign of the second Charlca.
and It was quite In the regular order of
things that thcro should bo a recrudescence
ot tcnvslchorcan ability In the latest mem
ber of the house.
Tliu white light changed to red and the
skirt danoo began. AH It went on It was
received with tumultuous npplaiiEc , fora Lon
don audience is always easy to pleape. espe
cially when thcro la no charge for admission
at the doora. Still , It must bo admitted that
TIMID LITTLB Mil. HOl'R PASSES
THHOUail THE CHOWO.
tha sprightly llttlo earl deserved the warmth
of his reception , for his exhibition was a
inctlel of grace and nglllty , while his manip
ulation of the voluminous skirts left llttlo to
bo desired. The variegated colors thrown on
the Muttering , whirling drapery gave a wlcrd ,
unearthly effect to the rapid movements ot
hit ) grace , and the grand finale , where a
crimson light wne Huns upon thu flimsy silk
waving high nbovo the dancer's head , gave
1ho agllo young nobleman the nppujranco
of ono of the early martyrs wrapped In
flame : * ,
The curtains wcro drawn back , the en
tranced afscmblago rose to lt feet , and ,
gathering about thb host , congratulated him
upon the success of his afternoon. Ilarnoy
received theno felicitations with exuberant
gratification nnd thu young carl , finally
emerging from behind the pcune * , clothe , !
and In his right mind , but a trlllo breathless ,
accepted modestly hlj well-earned share of
the compllmenU- , let cynics say what
they will , true merit Is always mire of ap
preciation In the great city.
ICdna Sartwoll lingered for a moment on
thu outskirts of thu throng that pressed
around Ilarney and the llttlo carl , then lei
surely mndu her way toward the door , wit-
lug for her stepmother , who lingered to thank
her host. The men who had flood along the
wall -wore already In the utrt-et and thu
other vlsltoro had nearly nil departed.
Marrten stood alone where ho was when
the entertainment wag going on , gazing with
boating heart at the ilrl hu loved. Shu
csrnuslowly toward him , her bead averted ,
watching her stepmother standing In thu
fast thinning group about Ilurncy. There \vat >
a curtain eoiiDclousnetu about her move
ments , an If the young man had hypnotized
her and wa drawing her to him by more
force of will , At last her Bklrts touched
Tlio elrl turued her head uulckly , and for
n moment met his gaze- without recognizing
him.
him."My name Is Mansion , " he said , huskily ,
seeing she did not know him. "I met you
the other evening at your father's office
when ho and I were talking of the strike. "
"Oh , yes , " ahe replied. "At first I did no ]
remember you. I I did not expect to "
She paused and seemed contused , looking
away from him.
"To find me here , " said the young man
completing the sentence for her and gatherIng -
Ing courage as the delightful fact that he
was actually talking to her Impressed Its
almost unbelievable reality upon him. " 1
did not know thcro was anything like thin
going on. I came to consult with Mr. Hope
on the same subject . " Hte ( lushed as the
memory of one subject arose In his mind
and ho felt his newly acquired courage be
ginning to ebb again. He pulled himself to
gether nnd ended lamely , " about the
strike , you know. "
"Oh , " nald Kdna , Instantly Interested. "Is
there anything new about the strike ? "
"Yes , there was n meeting last night , am
It was unanimously resolved to quit work. '
The color left the girl's checks.
"And arc the men out ? Is that why you
are here today ? "
"No ; they do not go out until Saturday. 1
did what I could to prevent It , but without
success. I applied to your father for this
afternoon off , and ho gave It to me without
aiklng any questions. It seemed to mo that
In the few Intervening days before the men
go out something might be done , when the
enthusiasm of the meeting had died down.
That's why I came , but I'm afraid there Is
not much to look for here. "
"Does father know ? "
"About the strike ? Oh , yes. "
The girl's winsome face clouded with ap
prehension.
"I am so sorry , " she said nt last. " 1 am
sure It Is not father's fnult , for he Is kind to
every one. liven It ho Is sometimes severe , "
iiho caste n shy upward glance nt the young
man that made his heart beat faster , "he Is
always just. "
"Yes , I know that Is true. Ho will beat
the men , and that Is the reason I want mod
erate counsels to prevail. The worklngman
Is always the under dog. Most ot his mouth
ing friends are fools , and he himself Is the
greatest fool of all. "
"Don't you think you arc n llttlo hard on
the worklngman ? Wcro you here In tlmo
to see the dancing carl ? "
She looked at him with n frank smile , and
Marstcn smiled In company with her It
brightened his face wonderfully and estab
lished an evanescent bond of comradeship
between them.
"I had forgotten , the carl , " he said.
"I must go now. I Bee my stepmother
looking for me. I hope you will bo success
ful In averting trouble nt the works. "
She extended her hand to him and ho
took It tenderly , fearing ho might grasp It
too closely and betray himself.
.Mrs. sanwcii anil uer sicpiiaugiuer were
the last to go.
Hartley threw himself on a' ( Ifvan and
lighted a cigarette.
"Well , my young friend , here wo arc nlono
nt last. Help yourself to the cigarettes and
allow me to offer you something stronger
than the tea wllh which we regale the
ladles. Wo have several shots In the locker ,
to Just name your particular favorite In
the way ot stlnnilnnty , while I order a II
and S for myself. You might not believe It ,
but one ot these afternoons takes It out ot a
fellow more than a day's work at the fac
tory. Not that I ever Indulged In factory
work myself , but I think you said It was In
your line. "
" " said after the
"Yes , Marstcn. declining
offerings of tils host. "It Is about the fac
tory I wish to speak to you. The men rc-
Eolved last night to go out on strike. "
"Foolish beggars. "
"I qulto agree with you. Their action Is
worse than foolish that Is why I came to
sco If you would Intervene In ny way so
that a better state ot feeling might be
brought about. "
"Well , now let's see , I believe I have for
gotten your name , or did you tell me ? Ah ,
Marsten thanks so many things on my
mind , don't you know ? You see , Mr. Mar-
sten , It's really no business of mine , al
though I must admit that your offer of the
position ot arbitrator Hatters me. Tills
makes twice I have been asked within a few-
days , so I think I must really be a born
diplomat , don't you know. Hut , you see ,
there's nothing I enjoy so much as minding
my own business , and this strike Is no affair
of mine. "
"I think It Is. All the luxury you have
hero Is surely earned by the men I am now
speaking for. "
"My dear fellow , you are not In the least
flattering now ; you arc not , I assure you.
You are naylng In other words that my pic
tures do not sell. "
"I had no Intention of hinting anything of
the kind. I have no doubt you can sell any
thing you paint. "
"Ah , you are commending the artistic dis
cernment of the Drltlch public which at
present Is an honor the D. P. does not de
serve. It will como round ultimately the
great II. P. always docs but not yet , my
boy , not yet. Give It time and It will pour
cash In your lap. I regret that the moment-
how shall I put It ? well , up to date , has not
arrived. The workmen whom you honor by
associating with at present supply as with
perhaps with unnecessary bluntncss you state
It thu financial deficiency. Hut. the public
will pay for It' all In the end every penny
of It , my boy. You see these pictures nround
the walls ? Very well : I hold them at 2.000
each. I had llttlo dlfllculty in ro holding
them , for no section of the great Ilrltl&h
publla han , up to the present 'time ' , evinced
any docgcd ueslro to wrench them from mo
In exchange for so much gold. What Is thu
consequence. ? I thiill Increase the price { 500
every year , and the longer they hold off the
bigger sum they will have to pay , and servo
them Jolly right , I eay. Ten pictures , 20,000
this year. Next year. 25.000 , and so on.
With property on my hnniU Increasing at
that rate , I ohctild bo an Idiot to urge people
ple to buy. Ground runts In Ilclgravla are
not In It with my picture. ) a Investments.
So you see , Mareten , when my day comes
tlm factory will bu n mere/ triviality as nn
Income producer compared with my brush ,
don't you know , "
"Hut In the meantime ? "
"In the meantime , I nm getting along
very nicely , thank you. The Btrlko will not
nffcct mo In the least. The men may have
to diminish the amount of shag , or what
ever awful mixture they smoke , but I shall
not consumu ono cigarette the less. I have
done nothing to bring on this struggle. It
the men want to fight , then , by Jingo ! let
them , say I. "
"Tho fight Is not yet actually on , and
won't bo until Saturday. Now la the time
for a cool-headed man to Interfere and
bring about an amlcablu understanding.
Won't you at least make the attempt , Mr.
Hopu ? "
"My dear Marsten , the way of the self-
appointed arbitrator Is hard. I was reading
In this morning's paper about your charming
meeting last night , nnd I noticed that one
man who Interfered was kicked off the plat
form and thrown out Into a side street. That
la the worklngman's Idea of how nn Intel
lectual discussion should bo terminated. I
love the worklngman myself , but J some
times wish ho would not argue with his hob
nailed boot. Ily the way , did you uco this
Interesting episode ? You were thcro , I sup
pose ? "
"Yes , Ilraunt , who was kicked out. Is one
of the best worklnKinen In the factory , but
very hot tempered. Ho lost control of him
self last night under strong provocation , anil
when ho was outside tried to batter In the
door. The police Interfered , and ho knocked
down threu of them. This was disastrous ,
for ho was fined five pounds this morning ,
and I have been trying to raUo. the money
no that ho need not go to prison , but we
aru In the minority he exasperated our fel
low workmen and I urn not getting on well
with the subscription list. "
Darney sprang to his feet.
Knocked , down three , did bet Good man.
That's something like. It'o n most deplora
ble trait In my character that I somehow
enjoy on swatill on the police , and yet I
recognize the general usefulness of the force.
Five pounds , did you siy ? TljenJicrc \ will
bo the coats. I don't understand much about
these things , but I believe thcro are usually
costs , on the principle of adding Insult to
Injury , I suppose. Will a ten-pound note
sec him through ? Good. Here It la. Three-
pound-odd a policeman Is not expensive
when you think how much some luxuries
hero below cost , don't you know , No U"l'hfl. !
Maratcn , I beg of you. H'e n pleasure , I as
sure you.1' t ' '
Aa ifurstcn took the mohoy ft servant came
In nnd said In n low voice : "Simpson wants
to know If ho may go , sir. "
"IJlcss me , yea. I thought he had gone
long ago. Simpson Is my ornamental six-
footer at the head of the stair. Perhaps you
noticed him as you came In. Poor fellow ,
ho's not allowed to do anything but stand
there and look pretty , so I suppose It gets
wearisome. Imagine such boy-stood-pn-the-
burning-deck devotion at this end ot the
nineteenth century ! I had forgotten him.
absorbed In your Interesting conversation.
Well , Marstcn , I'm eorry I can't arbitrate ,
but drop In again and let mo know how
things go on. Good afternoon. "
CHAPTER X.
On Saturday the men took 'their well-
earned pay , ono by ono , nnd went out of thu
gates quietly , II inillenly. During the days
that had Intervened between the meeting
and the strike , neither side had made ad
vances to the other. If Sartwell had pre
pared for the ptrugglo these preparations
had been accomplished so secretly that Gibbons
bens failed to learn of them. The secretary
o * the union Issued a manifesto to the prcsc ,
setting forth the position of the men In terni i j
perito phrase that had the effect of bringing
public sympathy largely to the ride of the | i
workers. It was an admirable document and
most of the papers published It , some of
them editorially regretting the fact that In
thl enlightened country and tills Industrial
ago come hundreds of men , the bone and
sinew of the land , willing to work , were
forced to go Into the streets In protest
against n tyranny that rcftiswd even to dis
cuss their alleged wrongo. The newspapers '
pointed out that whether their grievances
wcro Just or not was beside the question , as
HAHNBY GIVES MAHSTON THE DANKNOTi ? . .i
the point was that the manager had refusad
to see a deputation , and this high-handed
conduct the papers expressed thenifalvea ao
forced to deplore.
Doth members of the firm thought this
manifesto ohotild be answered. The manager
did not agree with them , so It was net
airwcred.
Pickets were placed before the gates nnd a
few extra policemen appeared , ao It by acci
dent. In the neighborhood ; but there was
nothing for either policemen or pickets to do.
On Monday some of the men lo.inglng around
thu placolcckedl up at the tall chlmneyu and
saw them , for the first tlmo during their
remembrance , smokeless. Tiny had never
noticed tlio smoke be-fore , but now UP absence
created an unexpected void In the murky
outlook. It wag as If the finger of death
had touched those gaunt , lofty stacks , and
the unusual silence of the place seemed to
glvo the situation ai lonely feeling of solem
nity they had not looked for.
On Tuesday txjmo dray loads of now ma
chinery arrived at the worka and these the
pickets attempted to stop , but without suc
cess. Gibbons was consulted , but ho took a
D2nslblo and liberal view of the matter.
"Let them put In all the new machinery
they wish. That will mean employment for
moro men when wo go back. We will not
Interfere with Sartwell until ho tries to 1111
the works with other employes. "
For the remainder of the week the shop ?
echoed with the clang of Iron on Iron , but no
smoke came out of the tall chimneys.
"Call thb a fight ? " said ono of the men
over his mug of beer. "I call It a bean
featt. "
On Saturday strike pay was given out at
headquarters , each man getting his usual
wage , for the union was rich. It was. Indeed ,
n bean feast all pay and no work.
The first week had enabled Sartwell to
make repairs and to add machinery that had
long been needed , but It had another effect
which ho considered moro Important still.
It allowed Mr. Monkton and Air. Hopu tu
recover their second wind , as It were. Thrso
good , but timorous men had been panic-
stricken by the going out of their employes ,
nnd by the adverse comments of the press.
As nothing happened during the week , they
gradually regained what they called their
courage , and , although they perhaps did not
rcallzu It , they were more and moro com
mitted to the fight when It did como on.
They could hardly , with decency , after keep
ing silence for a week during which there
was peace , glvo way If afterward there
should be violence.
The vigilance of the pickets perhaps re
laxed a llttlo as time went on , and there
was nothing to do. Dul one morning they
had a rude awakening. When they arrived
at the gates they saw smoke oiico moro i
pouring from the chimneys ; theru was n
hum of machinery ; the works were In full
blast , and the former workers wcro outside
the gates.
The news spread quickly , and the men
gathered around the gates from all quarters.
Gibbons was early on the groimd , llko nn
energetic general , ready to load his men to
the fray. Ho saw that the fight was now
on , and ho counselled moderation when he
spoke to the excited men. It was all right ,
10 answered them. Ho had expected this ,
and was prepared for It.
The gates were closed , nnd when Gibbons
asked admission to speak with the manager
Ills request was curtly rcfiiLcd. This re
fusal did not tend to allay the excitement ,
nor to Improve the temper of the men. The
[ iollco kept the throng on. the move as much
as possible , but the task became more and
moro difficult as the crowd Increased ,
At noon a wagon , evidently loaded with
provisions , drove down the street , and when
the mob learned that Its destination was the
works , a cry went up that thu vehicle should
'jo ' upset.
Again the pacifying Influence of Gibbons
made Itself felt , and the wagon , amid the
leers of the bystanders , drove In , while the
gates were speedily closed after It ,
Gibbons retired with his captains to head
quarters , where a consultation was hold.
There was a chance that Sartwell. during
the first week , when It was supposed he was
imttlng In new machinery , had also been
building dormitories for his now men , and
that he was going to keep them Insldo the
gates , free from the Influence of the union ,
Thin plan had not been foreseen by Gibbons
bens , and ho was unprepared for It.
"Tho men must corno out sooner or later ,
and when they do we will have a talk with
: hem , " said the secretary. "My own opinion
Is that they will como out tonight at the
usual hour , and I propose to act on that sup
position. If I find I am wrong , we will meet
again tonight , and I will have eome proposals
o make. In a short time wo shall be able
to learn whether the scabs arc coming outer
or not. Meanwhile , get back among our
iwn men , and ailvlao them not to make any
icstlle demonstration when the 'blacklegs'
appear ; and when the scabs como out let each
man ot you persuade aa many as you can to
como to the big hall , where wo can have a
talk with them. Tell the men that If there
Is any violence they will bo merely playing
Into Sartwcll's hands. Wu don't want the
police down on us , and , until thcro Is a row ,
they will at least remain neutral , "
This ndvlco comuicadcU Itself to all wb >
hcnrd It , nnd , the dctnlli of the program
having been arranged , they nil departed for
the scene of conflict.
Promptly nt 6 o'cloMKl the gates wcro
thrown open , nnd shotfljttifter tho' "black-
ICRS" began pouring forth Into the street.
There were no hootlnga nor Jeering * , but the
strikers regarded the necft.mors 'With scowlIng -
Ing looks , while the latltr seemed rather
uncomfortable , many ofNthem evidently ap
prehensive regarding thclf reception.
"Men"cried aiblton9"who Is your leader !
I want o word wHb liUu , '
The atrcam of hunbintyy paused for a
moment , In spite of tie > conimnnds of the
police to move along. - TjTn men looked atone
ono another , nnd Glbboys' ' quickly recognized
the state of things they wcro strangers to
each other , coming as they did from nil
parts of England. This silrmlse was con
firmed by ono man , who spoke up :
"We've > io leader , " he said.
"Then you bo the spokesman , " cried Gib
bons. "Did you men know , " when you came
here , that thcro was n strike on ? "
"Something of that tort , " replied the
spokesman , sullenly.
"Do you boKmg to n union ? "
"Tho union never did now't for us. "
"Do you know that you are taking bread
from the mouths of other workers ? "
"Wo must put bread Into our own
mouths. "
At thin point the police captain touched
Gibbons on the shoulder.
" ' obstruction " said.
"I can't allow this , ho
"Glvo mo two minutes , " pleaded Gibbons.
"No nor one. "
Glbbans turned savagely upon him.
"Look here , " ho wld , "have porno tact nnd
ponso. Don't you know that I have merely
to ralso my hand and this crowd will weep
you and your men off the face of the earth ? "
"That won't prevent mo from sweeping
you Into prison. "
"Certainly not. nut you can arrest mo
quietly , when you like , or I'll meet you nt
the i llco station nny hour you name , but If
you attempt to Interfere now you'll have a
riot on your hands. I'm holding this crowd
In chock It Is not Its fear of you. There's
no tralllc coming through this street nor
likely to como. Wo'ro therefore obstruct
ing nothing , and I'm as nnxlous as you arc
to keep the men within the law. Goo < 1
heavens ! you may have your hands full at
any moment , so don't push patient people
over the line. Ilemomb r , you are not In
Sartwell'o employ. I OnljVant a few words
with these men , thcnsjVo'-l } leave the street
to you. " rj > V >
Thu captain hesitated ; d fnoment. It was an
ominous mob. ! ? { " *
"Look t'harp , thcnlo { ) Said , and stepped
t-.c't. ' ? ijA
"Como with us , " crlf.dj Gibbons. "Wo
can't talk here. CohuS to the big hall , and
If you don't likewliat "we say , there will
bo no harm done. This iJCa free country. "
The secretary turned p's If he had no
doubt that the crovydf'would ' follow , and the
leadcrlcsa men \valkcd ( nfter him. Gibbons'
, assistants mixed uniting -hem " and talked
j persuasively with tha .jsfrangers. Before
| i half an hour all 'the'Ijlacklegs" [ wcro In
; 1 the Salvation army rwlIfQgnnB | the union
roll and being put On thovBtrko' | pay list.
It was a notable"trlumph for Gibbons ;
'
first blood , aa a s'Dortlnit man would say.
Next morning , ' when the gates wcro
opened , not a man entered , and Sartwell
once moro found himself without an em
ploye. After the gates had remained Invit
ingly open for half an hour they wcro closed
again , nnd a great cheer went up as the
two big Iron-bolted leaves came together.
Sartwell'a resources , however , wcro not
yet exhausted , for -two days later the fac
tory was thronged with workmen once
more , and these also Gibbons bought from
under the manager.
Thus thu gamu went on , and It convinced
the men that their secretary knew n thing
or two , being moro than a match for the
manager. Gibbons carried himself confi
dently , nnd talked with grand assurance
that ho was perhaps far from feeling , for
ho became more and moro haggard nnd
anxious as the light continued. He alone
knew the seriousness of the Increased drain
on the resources of the union , through the
forced support of the new hands ho had
lured nway from Sartwell's employ , nnd
which had upset all his previous ca'culatloas.
An attempt was made to lighten the burden
by trying to Induce the now men to return
to their homes , nnd this had been partially
successful with , the first lot , but the others
obstinately Insisted on getting their share
of the strike pay , and refused even to con
sider the advisability of returning. They
demanded what was promised them , or
threatened to enter the works In a body ,
which action would have speedily put an
end to the contest. Gibbons was well sup
ported by that section of the press which
gave moro than a few lines each day to the
progress of the strike. One morning the
chief of these papers came out to the pub
lic with an nppeal for aid. The case of the
strikers , battling , It might be , nt first for
their own rights , but fighting In reality for
all working humanity , was most convinc
ingly and tersely put In a double-leaded edi
torial , and the journal Itself headed the
list with a handsome contribution. Would
the people of Kngland hold aloof , reduce
these workers Into sla\es , using the weapon
of grim starvation against them ? The Jour
nal did not believe such apathy existed , and
Its belief was amply justified , for subscrip
tions poured In rapidly , together with Indig
nant letters from all parts of the country ,
which wcro duly printed In Its columns.
Tlio first pinch of the strike came on the
men when It was cmddenly announced that
strike pay would the next Saturday bo cut
down to one-quarter the anrount they wcro
then receiving. Thcro was a good deal of
grumbling and some Inquiries as to what
they wcro fighting for , but on the whole the
disastrous proclamation was " received quietly ,
If somewhat grimly. * '
"Wo are bound tc wfn' , " eald Gibbons ,
when ho was reluctantly compelled to tell
the men of the reduction. "Tho firm Is
losing nearly n thousand"pounds a week by
the factory remaining 'Idle ' , and It Is cot
likely they will stand 'that long , even to
* "
" ' '
oblige Sartwell.
Gibbons had not thj1 firago / > to add that ,
even with this reduction , the union could
not hold out moro thnn id week longer ; that
It was practically at tliciend of Its resources ,
and that future Ktrlke , jiay would have to
depend on the subscriptions received from
the outside , a most' precarious source of
' '
revenue , for every q'no' knows how short
lived enthusiasm IB and. how the collection
of hard cash destroys lt .
There Is much In gopd generalship , and
ono of Its axioms Is , that you should en
deavor to discover your ; , enemy's weakest
point. Never once did It dawn on Gibbons
or any of his lieutenants that the fortress
they wcro attacking had only to bo approached
preached In onu direction , when the walls
would have crumbled llko thoao of Jericho ;
never did It occur to him that Sartwell was
fighting at the same ttmo two battles ono
with the men and ono with the masters , and
of the two contests ho feared the result ot
the latter most. Sartwoll was between two
fires ; he had urged both Monkton and Hope
to quit Knelaml until the fight waa over ,
and Icavo the conducting of It to him , They
vacillated ; In the evening Sartwell might
have their promise , but In the morning
they had changed what they had pleased to
call their minds , They always feared the
worst. They saw the factory In flames , and
tbo mob shot down by the troopa. They Im
plored Sartwell to como to some nerceiacnt
with the men , Ho had Md the itrlko woulc
be over In three weeks , nnd hero It wan
still dragging on , the men AH determined AS
over. If ho were wrong nbout the duration
of the fight , might he not bo wrong also In
his treatment of the men ? Waa no com'
promise possible ?
This sort of thing Sartwell had to con
tend with , nnd It wearied him moro than
the strike Itself. Ho opened the papers In
dally fear that he would find thcro some
letter from the firm , In answer to the
strictures of the day before , which would
show the public at once how the land lay.
Gibbons believed that the backbone of a
light was money , ns In many cases It Is ; hut
n moment's reflection might have shown htm
that , If the fight was to bo conducted on n
cash basis , the strikers had not n ghost of n
chance , because the firm of Monkton & Ilopo
was much richer than the union. He be-
llovcd In fighting the devil with fire. Adages
nro supposed to represent the condensed
wisdom of the ages , whereas they too often
represent condensed foolishness. It one haste
to meet nn expert swordsman on the Held
ot honor , ho should f elect n pistol It he has
the choice of weapons. Fight the devil It
you like , but never with fire. When Marstcn
had said to Gibbons , "Mr. Sartwell knows tea
a penny how much you have In the bank , "
the secretary had answered grandly that
Sartwell might see the books of the union
for nil ho cared , and much good might It do
him. The fact that n man llko Sartwell
thought It worth his while to find out what
the enemy was doing did not suggest to
Gibbons that It might not bo a bad plan to
hnvo n look over Bnrtwcll's shoulders nnd
discover Just how things wcro going In the
prlvncy of the manager's ofllcc. When
Mnrsten ferreted out various things as the
fight progressed , nnd brought Ills knowledge
to Gibbons , the latter waved It aside ns of
no conscquoice , treating Marstcn throughout
as nn enemy In the camp.
Timid little Mr. Hope passed through the
gates each day to hlg cilice , scarcely ever
glancing at the crowd that hooted him nnd
made remarks not pleasant to hear. Ho
dreaded the moment of arriving nnd leaving ,
but thought It a courageous thing to 'do. '
Imagining ho would be neglecting his duties
as a free-born Urlton If ho deserted his post
at this tlmo of danger.
If Gibbons had been n shrewd man he
would have called upon Mr. Hope at Sur-
blton , and ten minutes conversation mere
would have ohown him the true etato of
affairs , for the timid little ; manufacturer
was ns transparent ns crystal" If the secre
tary had lured one of the partners to the
strikers' place of meeting , which might have
been accomplished as easily ns with the
"blacklego" from the country , ho would In
all probability have had a public statement
which would have made Sartwell'a resigna
tion Inevitable. Thus might Gibbons have
led his army to victory and at thu same tlmo
have placed his enemy where his army then
was outside the gates.
And this was merely one of the methods
by which a clever general would have
triumphed.
If Gibbons had taken the trouble to In
form himself about the effect the few edi
torials had produced in the minds of the
partners ho would have endeavored , to
make arrangements for the publication
of a scries of articles on the well known
philanthropy of thu firm , with some moral
reflections about charity beginning nt home.
This undoubtedly would have cnused the
ground to crumble away beneath the feet
of Snrtwell , for Monkton and Hope were
proud of the good their benefcctlons were
supposed to do , and until this trouble had
arisen they had thought themselves Just
employers , who treated their men with fair
ness , ns Indeed they were , and as Indeed
they did.
Hut now they were In doubt about the
matter , and had an uneasy feeling that they
had been , perhaps , rimiles In their duties
toward their employes. Sartwell dominated
them when ho was In thrlr presence , nnd
they knew his value too well to run the risk
of losing him. They knew , also. It they
gave way to the men without his sanction
they would lose him , nnd they had rivals In
London who would bo only too glad to take
lit in Into their employ ; yet In splto of this
knowledge they wavered , nnd It required
but a little tact and diplomacy on the part
of Gibbons to win a victory all along the
line.
( To bo Continued. )
CHRISTMAS AM > TUB POETS.
The Merry Sl
air vaucr ocoii.
Then cnmo the merry maskers In ,
Andicnrola ronrcrt with blithesome din ;
If iinmelodlouB wns the song ,
It WIIH a hearty note nnd Htronff. :
Who lists may In their mumming sco
Truces of ancient my.story ;
White shirts supplied the mnnqucrnilc ,
And smutted cheeks the visors made ;
Hut O , what maskers richly dlsht I
Cnn bonst ot bosoms linlf HO light !
England wns merry Kimlaml. when
Old Chrlstmns brought his sports again.
'TwiiB Chrlstmns broached the mightiest
u I e ,
'Twas Chrlstmns told the merriest tnlc ;
A Chrlstmns gambol oft could cheer.
The poor man's heart through half the
year.
TinntIvHj - .
Somp pay. that ever 'Kulnst that season
comes
Wheroln our Savior's birth In celebrated :
This bird of dawning slngeth all night long ;
And then they say no spirit dares stir
abroad ;
The nights are wholesome ; then no planets
strike.
No fairy takes , nor witch hath power to
charm ,
So hallowed and so gracious la the time.
Ilctlilrlirin.
Mlllmnn.
The heavens wcro not commnnded to. pre
pare ,
A gorgeous cnnopy of golden nlr ;
Nor stopped their lamps th' enthroned flrcs
on high :
A single silent star.
Gliding unchecked nnd calm along the
liquid sky ;
The Eastern Hngcs leading on
AH at a kingly thronp ,
To lay tholr gold and odors sweet
Uefore Thy Infant feet.
Hfjoloo. ' I
I wl3 Morris. , .
Those precious works of old :
Good will and'pence to men the halt , the
blind , >
The poor , nny all mankind.
Therefore , wo raise our cheerful song ,
A strain of i 'olcmn mirth ;
Our hope Is clear , our faith Is strong
In a regenerate earth ,
o doubt Hhall come our eyes to dim , .
Or check our faithful voice ;
To peace on earth wo ralso our Christmas
hymn ,
Whoso burden Is "Rejoice I"
> 'Jj'hilllrtli. .
Archrtcncon Fnrrar.
Low lies Thy cradled hrail ,
Thou blessed Child divine ;
The wreath .of thorns must twine around
That tender brow of Thine ;
Hut love and llfo nnd homo
Through Theo nro dearer far , i i
And lives of mortal men may be
As pure ns nngel arc.
Then join their angel lay ,
With heart and voice rejoice , rejoice ,
Your Lord Is born today.
The Coin I n ; r of ( In * It In jr.
/ riillllns DronkB.
O angels sweet and splendid t
Throng In our hearts nnd sine
The wondorri which attended
The coming' of the King ,
Till wo , too , boldly pressing
Where once thn iingpls trod ,
Climb Ilotlilehcm's Hill nf Ile.sslnr ! (
And find the Bon of God.
MILLIONS Htt.VOtl.VCK CIlllISTMAH.
MnliiiiiiiiK'ilniiH , llrnlniiliiN mill Iluil-
lllllNIN I fll > - ( III * lIolllll-HH Of UlirlNt.
Thcro nro millions upon millions ot people
n the world who will not celebrate Christ
mas , and thcro nro other millions to whom
Christmas Is objectionable , Bays the Now
York Herald ,
Take the followers of Mohammed , for In
stance. They are divided Into forty or fifty
llfforcnt sects , among which are the Nousay-
rle-ych , There are about 00,000 of them , and
hey believe In transmigration of the soul.
They bellcvo that men's souls pass after
death Into the bodies of animals. For them
the story of the birth and llfo of Christ has
no charmH.
Then thcro are the Druace , wbo protect )
Given
N'oono will be given
two lots ; should nny
one desire n second
lot It can be purchased
for $25.00 ; the lowest price proposed -
posed tostnrt the remaining half.
To Intcrcit the \l > The beautiful City of loU.nmong
public nnd build the Orange (5rove ( , adSiflMttly
upthoulty wo will Ai'fAi Jrv i > / htJltttfut , It des
give nwny every tined to bo the commercial port
other lot In the of Western 1'lorldn ,
CONDITIONS : Send .so , cost
nfmnklng nnd Ac
1 iiy of knowledging deed , nnd we will
return you n warranty deed for n lot.
n certificate of title nnd n beautiful
llthogrnphed nmp. To prevent loss
mnku nil payments by nny express
company' * money order.
If vu Jtsirt further iiifyrmjti'tn iff
stnj MM i rffv of ri-iif/'jw/v iterJ ,
JitAtt of title , inJ < i IfjMfi/nl
nuf uf\iit receipt of o ( tills / ,
\Vo Imvc no ngcuts. Address :
You can nddrcss your letters cither to .loin or the Now York oftlcc , ns most convenient
'Peceinber 13 and 20
-1-7 will tell whether
THE
ILLUSTRATED
BUFFALO
EXPRESS
leads the east and west in
Holiday Numbers
of great beauty and rich
Illustration.
Send ten cents in stamps for both
numbers. Mailed postpaid , The
great estpaper ever issued in Buf
falo , the electric city of the world.
Have You Friends
hi the Country ?
If you have , or if you have relatives or
friends in the east who are interested in
the progress of this section ot the country ,
subscribe for
The Omaha Weekly
in their name. This will g-ivo them all
the news once a week. It will cost you only
65c Per Year.
This makes the cost loss than if you sent
them a letter every week , and it telli
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THE BEE PUBLISHING CO. ,
OMAHA , NEB.
o have knowledge that Ocxl has visited thn
world 231 times , but they do not bellcvo In
Christ , For them Chrlstman hat ) no ulgtilu-
ance.
It la equally dlarogardcd by DuddhlflUH ,
Japanese , Chinese , Ilrahmlna and Moham-
ncdaiifi. "There U no God but Allah , " nay
ho Mohammedans , "and Mohammed In his
prophet. " .Mohammed's followers also have
: urlous notlonx In regard to the futo ot tin-
bellovcrt ) ' children. Home bellcvo that thino
hlldron act as the scrvantu of the faith-
ul In paradise , and .Mohammed In recorded
at ) saying on ono occasion to hid wlfo :
"If thou ilu'lrent ' I cau muko thco hear
heir crleo In Hadcu , "
Other .Mohammedan authorities , however ,
lEscnt from this view , and onu of them
loldly ayn : "I know that Allah will not
( innent thuio who have not committed any
lu. " , , -
Ladles Who Value
A refined complexion must uio Pouonl'i Pow
der. It produces a soft and beautiful nkln.
