The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-27
An Amusing Letter.
Doesticks as a ''Striker."

OF - strikers"
I've gone into new business, and tell
you it's a big thing-by all odds Tie best
investment / ever made. I'm profession
al " "striker." don't mean political
striker''-one of those fellows who get up
Target Shoots, and Presentations, and Ex-
cursions, and who " strike" the various
candidates for Office just before election for
the cash wherewith to pay for all these
things. No, no. I'm a different animal
altogether I'm proud of my trade, too,
for it is one invented myself.
You see, I'd read a great deal in the pa
pers about the strikes Of the gasmen, the
horseshoers, the bootmakers, the car-dri-
vers, and all the rest of the fellows, and
how all these chaps have societies with
huge reserve funds, out of which they pay
their members out of work full wages until
somebody gives in. Then thought how
glorious it would be to be mechanic always
on strike, getting full pay and never doing
any work.
The next thing was to put my plan into
execution. BY dint of pawning every per-
sonal possession not absolutely necessary
to my appearance in the street, raised
$50. That day the Horseshoers were going
to parade. just as they were about start
ing, twenty-seven non-society men pre-
sented themselves and asked to be admitted
to membership. Need / assure you that
l was one of that illustrious two dozen and
quarter? We were received with cheers
and assigned place in the procession.
That night l was initiated into the
Union" Now, l can no more shoe a
horse than could build new tail for
disabled mermaid, but by careful watch
ing of what the other fellows said, and a
judicious and convenient deafness when
asked something that didn't know any
thing about, pulled through.
Having paid my S. initiation fee, behold
me journeyman horseshoer. l, that don't
know whether a horseshoe is round or
square, whether it fastens on with buttons
or strings, or has india-rubber sides like
Congress gaiter. J., that couldn't coax
horse to lie down on his back and let me
tie his shoes on, even if they were all ready
made to my hands. Behold me, l say,
full-fedged maker Of adult horses shoes,
also mares and equine misses CATERS and
slippers.
When the time came, got up and
speeched few. insisted on resisting to
the last the demands of our employers
talked about the dignity of labor, the tyr
amy of capital and all the rest of it-and
ended it by saying that had just paid my
last $5 for my initiation, but that I would
starve till next meeting, or live on free
lunches till "bounced" out by indignant
barkeepers, rather than give in.
My touching appeal commanded instant
sympathy. A brother horseshoer, with
tears in his eyes, moved that the newly re-
ceived member have his fees remitted till
more convenient season, and that half a
weeks allowance be paid him in advance,
to save respectable workman from free
lunch igominy. 1t was unanimously car
ried. AS am first-class workman, | am
entitled to $21 week, SO was handed my
$3.50 after which we attended to the re-
freshments.
During the strike we have had special
meetings every night, and by carefully
maneuvring a fictitious starving wife,
three sisters, and eight children; having
supposititious sick and destitute grand
~ IN he 20 10 FOL Nf.
being compelled to bury an imaginary cou-
sin in Jersey, and insisting that had three
times had my pocket picked on the Third
avenue cars, / have extracted from the
brotherhood already $211.75, and the mine
isn't worked out yet.
Nor was the game played out yet.
heard the gasmen in Brooklyn were going
to strike. Instantly l repaired thither,
joined the Union, which cost me $40. We
have now been on strike two weeks, and
have received $44. I haven't played my
relations on them yet, but shall touch
them up with wife and children and star
wing sisters tonight. If they stand this,
I'll invent brother in Minnesota, with
both feet and the end of his nose frozen off,
who must be Immediately removed to a
milder climate or die. This consider
good for at least $75.t
From the Journeymen Bootmakers'
Union have only received $36 up to date.
The bosses came down too quick.
My membership Of the Tailors Protec-
| tive Association has as vet been all outlay,
but we're hoping to strike next week.
went for the Coopers' Union, and, al
+bouoh hardIr, lr,o,., n io1.o,, hao., l,,,,.