St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-18

''The men are crazy with drink" he wrote
land in their present condition are capable
OF doing you personal injury. have watch
men grading the Hall, but nothing can pre-
vent an evil-minded person from throwing
a stone through your window"
Her answer was as follows:
81 approve Of the precautions you have
taken, but do not think il necessary to leave
town. / am not in the least alarmed, and
viii remain at the Hall"
he tossed her letter into the fire.
''You are too proud TO show the white
feather" be said, as IL addressing her.
''After all, there is little chance Of the strik-
ers going 70 the Hall II is the factory that
tual danger, my dear Lady Disdain, too
would use coercion and force YOU out of
tOwni''
He had engaged 800 new men. aud had
organized them as guard. Every man was
bound 20 protect his own loom. This be was
more willing 10 do since BY so doing he Sc
cured bis own bread and butter.
At nightfall on Monday Mr. Lincoln re-
ceived information that the mills would be
attacked al 10 O'Clock that night The new
employees were secretly given notice 10 be
on the grounds at the time appointed, aud =
few policemen of the town were informed of
the expected trouble.
Early in the evening Mr.. Lincoln psid .
. visit 10 the Hall, and found the building
shut up as close as a tomb. The servants
who knew something Of the nights prospects,
took the precaution 70 bar every window and
door as though fortifying themselves against
an army.
During the afternoon Miss Lytton had ex-
perienced = revulsiOn OF feeling. She was
l.
10 abide By her decisions; but she began TO
fear that this time she had made a mistake.
Previously she had only considered the dan
ger with which she was threatened, but she
suddenly remembered that her superinten-
dent would share the risk. lie was the limb
between herself and her workmen, and they
naturally looked upon him as their employer
They knew him, while many Of them had
never seen her. They realized that he had
the power 10 employ or discharge them. He
had increased or decreased their wages at his
will. They would probably wreak their ven
geance upon him upon him more yiciously
than upon q woman with whom they had
never had personal dealings.
When be saw her that night she was less
authoritative at first than usual although her
manner was cold. He told her Of his ar
rangement for protecting the mills. She
learned that the new men were armed with
rifles, and that the strikers had been Joined
by a mob Of trsmps aud outlaws who had
never done an honest days work In their
lives, but who were infatuated with the pros
pect Of a night Of plumber and riot
During this recital Miss Lyttou had been
nervously clAsping aud unclasDing her
hands.
81 have changed my mind" she said at
length, her voice trihe quicker than usual
Il wish 10 retraet. When said would not
compromise, did not foresee now serious
this difficulty might become. wish now TO
give up the struggle. i can afford to sacrifice
my business interests better than risk the
shedding Of one drop of human blood"
Her wOmanis heart was beginning to as
sert Itself.
'Your decision is merciful," her superln-
tendent said; shut II comes too late. You
cannot now give these men what they ask
without being unjust 10 the 800 new hands
10 whom you have promised work, and who
have come 70 you, promising to stand by you
in your emergency. You have not work for
700 People, and it would be gross injustice
to send adrift the unoffending workmen to
cOnciliate a crowd Of rufiians-"
Her nervousness increased.
''What can be doner'
81 do not know that a riot can be averted
now" he told her; Shut / will do what can
TO quiet the strikers. have been used to
control them and may succeed"
''Do you mean that you intend to address
this mObF'
They had both been seated before the upen
fireplace, but she arose now and stood facing
him.
Eyes" he said. ST viii try to induce them
to give me hearing"
Her color faded slowly from her face.
Il do not wish you TO speak to the
strikers" she said sharply. You have not
my authority for addressing them.''
he made no answer, but a little ironical
smile touched his lips and exasperated her
into further speech.
"You have planned to resist them. You
have said they were crazy with LIQUOR and
that they are joined by professional law
breakers. There can be no wisdom in speak
ing TO them. They are unworthy OF remons-
trance. You have done what you can to
protect the mills; II they must burn let them
go without any humiiating appeals to their
destroyers."
'The strikers are men," he said, sfguor-
ant and ill-guided, but not devoid of reason
or conscience. They know me as q work
man, not as capitalist. They believe that
have no personal interest at stake, and
may, therefore, listen To me-"
But" she said, her voice now broken by
intense feeling, Il forbid you to speak to
them"
The sarcastic smile returned.
Then 1 must be disobedient"
cit is time you understood your position, -
she continued passionately-she was utterly
bereft of her usual calm; az own the mills,
and have the right to do as choose by my
own wOrkmen. You acknowledge that you
are workman like any Of the others, and,
Ike the others, you must obey my COM
mands."
am so like the others that ] am going to
disobey you" be said quietly; ''you see the
strike is general"
he too, bad risen, and was looking down
into her face with an expression on his own
which nearly robbed her Of self-possessiou.
She changed her tactics.
''Why you should work in opposition to my
will is n mystery. You have had a specially
independent position. You have literally
been master Of the mills ever since YOU en-
tered them. You have ignored me and nv
authority. am surprised that you should
wish TO leave place where you have matters
so entirely in your own control"
He did not alter his position, but his face
plainly showed his strong emotion.
81 am ambitious" he said. II am not
satisfied with being master of the mills.
would be your master and have you for my
wifer'
She turned away with such anger that he
believed he had lost her.
''This is an insultl'' she said.
"No," he told her his voice deep with feel
ing, sit is the greatest honor / can bestow.
offer TO make you my wife and give you my
life's devotion. You call this an insult be-