The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-09-15
THE CRAMM WELL.

1t is doubtful if Mr.. Ben Bates would
defend strikes, or if he were interested
in the pros and cons of such questions
but, all the same, he blessed his stars
that strike occurred on the Grand Right
and Left Railway on a certain day; that
the employees felt imperative need of an
increase of wages; that the managers
didn't see it; and so, whether or no the
end justified the means, it none the less
conspired to promote his happiness. 1t
was the afternoon train out of Hamburg,
advertised to reach Nova Zembla at 6 As.
Mr.. Bates, being somewhat of a stranger
in the State, drawn to Nova Zembla by
rumors of oil wells and fortunes bubbling
out of the earth, was naturally ignorant
that the strikers had publicly given warn
ing that they should leave their trains at
four o'clock p. m, until he overheard a
gentleman, leaving at way station, say
to his friend
" You had better not attempt to 90
home tonight, but put up with us; the
engineers strike at four p. m, you know"
Striker echoed the typical old lady
with the traditional bandboxes and
bundles to look after. "rd like to know
who they're going to strike. Two can
play at that game, reckon. What are
they going to strike for?"
"For higher wages, marin. If you
calculated to go beyond Little Bassett
you'll have to walk the balance" volun-
teered a passenger.
Me walk! Haven't l paid my fare
through? Walk, indeed! I'll have the
law of 'em first"
but this train won't go through to-
night"
None of your quizzing, young sauce
box! Haven't been over this ere road
every year since my hair took to falling
off, to buy new wig, dating from the
time Eben put the Gabrielle front to the
old house? And I've never knowed them
not to git to Nova Zembla when they'd
oughter-"
But just then the train stopped, and
so did the old lady. 1t was four o'clock
exactly.
81 suppose there's an inn at hand?"
asked Mr.. Bates of native by-stander,
whom he found loafng upon the plat
form.
mot bit! Little Bassett's run to
oil, stranger"
"We're not expected to put up in an
oil well?"
"You might fare worse. There's the
Travellers Haven, but the landlord he
had it carried off for to bore for oil in the
old cellar; it's on wheels yet, piece up
the lane there. Maybe they'd take you
in; l dunno"
Mr.. Bates strolled up the pretty lane
and into the Travellers Haven-which
had, perhaps, caught the spirit of CAD
ding from its guests-and interrupted a
slovenly woman in the act of scolding.
Didn't tell you, miss, I'd cuff the
ears off your head if you cracked another
dish? Eli? How are you going to pay
for it? Who do you supposed put up
with your goings on if was to turn you
adrift? Nobody IN Little Bassett'd give
you house-room for week" ..-
&c am so sorry" was the soft answer
"pll be more careful again"
"And high time, too-you that l
snatched out of the almshouse, so to
speak, and did for you ever since you
was four. What would you have been
but for me? And pretty return you
make, a-breaking all the crockery heller
SHELTER! Oh! Good-day, sir. Lodg-
ingsw with decided change of tone.
Rosy, dear, slat yourself, and get the
gentleman room ready; and you might
wiring the neck of the cropple crown hen
while you're about it. / dare say he's
hungry"
" Yes" said Rosy, lifting pair of APP
pealing eyes to the strangers.
"No, no, cried Ben, heroically," don't
kill anything for me. Tea and toast is
a supper tor king" 1t panied him to
add another straw to the burdens this de-
jected girl was already carrying-this
girl in the garments and position of a
mental, yet who bore herself like one of
gentle blood.
You see" apologized Mr.. Cramm, the
landlord, when he came in, 1--WE amt
had time to settle, owing to the lie we'll.
Tavern-keeping don't pay in Little Bias.
sett, but lie does. Maybe you was think
ing of buying, eh?"
Ben was thinking of it, he explained,
but Little Bassett had not been his des-
tination.
Maybe you was guided here by Prov
idence?"