The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-03-09
A HARD TEST:

Plaine's office on the Saturday in ques-
tion. ..,,
81 tell you, the boss will come to ltg'
"He'll have to-"
"When he finds we won't bulge an
inch nor take cent less"
"There's them contract jobs-to be
completed by July, or forfeit bonds"
"And lots more work pressing-the
busy season, too."
"0h, he can't do otherwise than corr.
to our terms, if we stand firm;
These were the sentences TIA ttth;tt could be
gathered, as the ni1n crowded together
and talked in low tones, with deter
mined looks and nervous, eager ges-
lures.
"You're with us, Toms" asked one of
man, with quiet air and pleasing
countenance.
"With you, howW.
"Why, on the strike-you know welf
enough"
"O6, yes, had heard" said the new
| conner, in uneasy way, shifting his posi-
! ton, and moving away, as il he were not
anxious to mingle with the proceedings.
"You'd better be. Wen make it hot
| for the rats" said another.
81 tell you, we've got the boss where
the hair is short. You see he's got all
these contracts that he's working up so
of July. We may as well have seventy
five cents more day as motifs worth
it-our labor is, and l, for one, am In for
it," said another Of the group, stepping
up and button-holing the man whom his
comrades had addressed as Tom.
| "Very true-it is worth 1t. But do you
not see that Mr.. Plaine will fill our
places with others, if we desert him at
| this timeW
"They can never get into the Carpen-
ters' Union," sneered the others.
"Mr. Plaine will lose, as you say, a
large sum of money, if his contracts are
baked by anything, or to be bullied.
Don't you think it would be better to lay
our case before him, and ask an increase
of wages, rather than try to force him
into laying it? He is trying man to
work for, but he pays promptly, and l
think he has Kind heart"
HPooh-nonsensel AS II he would
care for us, unless we made it necessary
for HIM to do SO! He represents capital;
we represent. labor. Capital and labor
are eternally at war the way things are
nowadays. If capital has got the grip,
labor must show the grit"
81 don't see it in that light. Capital
and labor ought to harmonize-"
"Come, boysl Four dollars and quar-
ter day! Follow me. Pll open the
ball. Every man of you resign till our
terms are complied WITH" cried the voice
of sturdy mechanic, as he brandished
bandsaw above his head, and led the
way across the yard, into the little office.
"Come-you'll regret it If you don't
strike; and it isn't healthy to be unpop-
.,,% Cd Ton1sC int or
locutor, as he sprang across the yard,
and followed his mates.
Tom stood irresolute for moment,
took step toward the office, then turned
and walked quickly out of the yard, into
the street-home.
II couldn't do it-just then, Mary.
wanted to talk it over with you, you
know" said Tom Wright to his little
wife, as they sat at the table, after sup
per had received due attention.
"Well, Tom, | presume you know how
l feel about it,"
"HowW
"Just as you do, of course. never
knew you to 60 far out OF the way in your
opinion yet, on any matter of right and
wrong"
..Thank you; / appreciate compli-
ment from you, wifey. But tell me-what
can dow
"Dof why, do your duty. Keep at
work. By SO doing you Will do your
duty to your employer and yourself at
the same time.'
| "But the UNION"
| "Oh, those troublesome unions!" said
Mary.
"They ought not to be source of trou-
be between master and men, instead OF
| hin ding only the men,,
"W nat can the union do to youw
| 81 don't think they will do me any real
harm. They may make it very unpleas-
ant for me for time. But with your
strong heart and help to cheer me, and
| the sweet face Of little Bessie, there, to
encourage me, ] can tace them, please
God, and do my duty, as you say, like a
man."
"It is your duty to yourself. There's
been finishing of at odd hours-the notes
for the lot and lumber come due in
August. Pve been calculating. and il
your present wages come in regularly
we can meet them all right. lfnot, We
shall have to loose ALL"
"That would be bitter thing, Mary
far worse than facing the union. Then,
too, outside of Mr.. PLANES force. there
will be no jobs to get in Boxboro' all this
season, il these fellows suike ana STICK
to it-and you and Bessie must have
bread"
Strong in heart and resolution, Tom
went to his work the next Monday morn
ing. He was the only one Of Mr.. PLANES
force that appeared to do duty.
One Of the idle carpenters. passed that
way, and saw him alone, at work on the
interior of a building.
"Hal Leav of there. Don't you know
we struck work Saturday night? You'll
be cashiered by the union," cried the
workman. 80
Perhaps So"
"Ain't YOU going to quitw
"No."
"Then I'll report you to the secretary
The boys will make it uncomfortable fol
YOU"
He made no reply but worked on.
Il "Yopd better quit" said the man
"Old Plaine swore he'd see us roasted
before he'd submit to our imposition, a.
he called it. He's gone to Gotham to en-
gage fresh lot OF hands. But we tele
graphed the union there how matter.
stood with us, and he'll find we've
blocked his little game. | say, will yol
come down and quit work."
Still Tom made no reply, but KEEP
steadily on. The man went away, NUT
\ itN1