The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-09-19
Written t.r tnr AusuJArK.
A BOLD GAME;
uE.
WOVEN OF MANY THREADS
RN WELDON 4. COBB, JR.
CHAPTER M
FIRE m

ln the little town Yf Patterson there was
considerable excitement and cpmuIutIun
upon the day following the meeting at the
village hail The rumur II the threat t.
burn the shops 80 strenuDusiy believed in
by Edwin Amory, and cuncurred IN and
substantiated by the village constable. had
awakened no little fear III the community,
and although the strikers denied the use
ot the words by Robert Parton, except IN
connection with other words, and there
fore possessing widely different meaning,
1t currently reported and believed
that Mayhem had melted the men to in
ceudlarlsm and riot
Robert Kept himself secluded during the
day. for he knew that popular opinion was
against him, aud also that the only way to
maintain the position he now held was by
silence and a determined resolve to remain
steadfast 70 the principles which he had 50
boldly ayowed and advocated.
Ii was not until evening that Robert
Parton went from his room To the street
without and walked slowly toward the vii
lage hall where hls companions hsd been
assembled during the day As he reached
the place he was disappointed 10 observe
that some Of the men were III condition
Of partial lntoXIcatlon, and we're wildly
gesticulating ana arguing upon the merits
OF the strike III which they were engaged.
He knew that 1t vas impossible 70 render
the stand they had taken successful while
the men drank. but he also knew that the
experience of labor unions was not suth-
GENTLY extensive to warrant a taultless
carrying out Of this one demonstration,
the first in ths' village, and almost the
first in that section Of the country. he
was received enthusiastically, but at once
repaired to a portion Of the hall where
several of the leaders were engaged IN
earnestly discussing the situation.
For the first time he ascertalned that a
new set Of men had appeared at the works
that day, four in number, who had been
threatened by some Of the old Workmen.
Cnwise as this step was on the part Of the
strikers, II deferred the men from working,
and the works were not as yet IN opera
ton.
we viii gain our point, he said con
fidently. 1T is no easy task in this busy
State to obtain over two hundred men at a
day notice.
And vet it seemed that Tremayne 4
Adams would not restore the old order Of
things without a strong resistance, and he
was in doubt as to the steadtastness OF
some of the workmen. Their wages were
small and they depended upon them for
substenance from day to day. He knew
that they could not long 80 stand out un-
less some means t. support them was OBJ
tanned
An could ne have looked forward but
/ a few years conld he have but known that
the movement he had now inaugurated
would IN brief space Of time become d
power in the land, and become perfect
ed as to enable trades unions to aid each
other in pecuniary way, he would have
experienced new hope and have encour
aged the men anew. But he only hoped
and advised for the best, as he hoped il
everything relating to the strike of the
men of the works Of Tremayne n Adams
He spoke to the men as did some others
and after few words Of good advice tn,
meeting broke up for the rlght
He had not gone far on his way home
ward, when he heard loud cries behin'
him. AS he turned he saw fierce red glar,
in the sky, and Immediately after serie
Of flames and sparks shot upwards to tn
sky.
And amid the lurid glare Of the con
flagration and the confused Babel Of noise
around him, the young mechanic heard tn
shout
THE SHOPS ARE on FIRE