The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-13

rioters were strong in number, and the police
force in that little town was small.
Behind the barred doors ofthe main building
300 silent men waited with rifles in their hands
Only one window was lighted. 1t was in the
superintendent room.
As the crowd approached he stepped out upon
the parapet surrounding his window and com
manded the men to stop. Many of them were
accustomed to obey him, and did so now without
reflection.
He followed up the little advantage he had
gained.
-Four hundred of you have come up here to-
night" he said, EARNED with clubs and rifles
with which you mean to injure one helpless
woman God help you workmen, for having
fallen 50 low as this!"
He explained that if their demands had been
granted the mills must necessarily have ceased
running in a few months through lack of profit.
He asked If half loaf was not better than none
He reminded them that the looms had kept
the wolf from their doors for many years, and
given them certain support. He shamed them
for wishing to destroy them now, and argued
that they were striking blow at their wives
and children by their wanton conduct, and were
bringing want and hunger into their own house
holds
Many of the ex-workmen were influenced by
his plain statements and fearless manner, but
some of the street allies rushed at the factory
doors.
Mr.. Lincoln sprang into the building and ran
| down to where his own men were waiting Inc
order was given to fire blank cartridges at the
| mob, and il was obeyed.
The rioters returned fire with balls, but in
discriminatory; they were surprised at the de-
Tense in the mill, having supposed 1t to be de-
| serted.
A rumor spread like fire that the building was
| full of soldiers. Some of the outside men ran
away, others engaged in personal skirmishes
and the new men fred another voiley Of blank
cartridges, adding hideous confusion to the
scene.
AT the end of fifteen minutes the mob was
| disbanded, a few ringleaders had been arrested
and few heads had been broken, but the Tread
well Mills were uninjured.
| Everything about them seemed silent and for
| saken when Miss Lytton stepped over the debris
left by the rioters and asked the Waterman if
| Mr.. Lincoln was within.
| The man answered that he was
MAY see himp
The Waterman hesitated.
"If you please" he said ''the superintendent
has been hurt, Somebody put bullet into him
and the doctor is probing for the ball L don't
| think you can see him."
| She ran past the Waterman, up the dark
stairs, and stood outside the Office door. The
doctor came out and found her there Her
cloak had fallen off, and she stood white and
trembling. She was very unlike the naughty
mistress of Lytton Hall.
The physician was going out to order a car
Piage for his patient In answer to her ques-
tions he said that Mr. Lincoln had been shot in
the arm His wound was not necessarily dan
Her color began to return.
DO you think he would be ablethat he
would like to see meF'
The doctor was too gallant to think his patient
could be less than delighted.
She knocked at the door, her heart beating SO
loudly that she scarcely heard the voice which
babe her enter
He was seated facing the door and was at
once startled and astonished by her appearance.
| He wondered if any dire calamity had occurred
at the hall
She motioned him not to rise, while she stood
just within the room and spoke in a voice shaken
| by emotion:
''I could not rest When heard the firing to-
night ! came here through the fields, trying to
escape the rioters. 1 saw the men driven from
IKE mills. came to hear about you"
He listened in almost breathless silence.
i Il know you have been brave tonight. /
heard on my way what you had done. do not
know how you could do it for me- After tonight
| you will never respect me-" she continued APP
| preaching him little; 'but must tell you that
l asked you-tbat commanded you not tospeak
to the men tonight because feared the danger
to yourself. was not prompted by capricious-
ness, but by honest fear for your safety
called you my subordinate when l knew you
were fitted to fill the highest vocation. l said
you offered me a gross insult, when in my heart
1 knew you had paid me the greatest compli-
ment in my life My wretched pride has led TO
all this trouble tonight. l feel as if it were l
who had put that bullet into your arm"
| ne ndu Deen silent all JnlS Time, Dut ne mad
read her face and her woman's heart He took
her into his arms; he kissed her lips until the
warm red rushed into her handsome face once
more.
$50 you are not poor, Gerard You never lost
your fathers money! Why, then, did you choose
to superintend factory2'
The question was asked by his wife six months
after marriage.
Il wanted to help you save your property
and, more than that. wanted to be in your
| company. You were rec Sc then, and it was
the only way could manage to see you"
His wife laughed triumphantly.
Il treated you abominably, Gerard I was
always in love with you, but / believed you were
Indifferent to me. 1 was constantly afraid you
would suspect the true state OF affairs And,
after all, you found me out"
He crossed the room and drew her close to his
| embrace.
You would have despised me if had been
| subservient to you," he SAID. ''There is where
you women who are proud are inconsistent"
THE LADY PEDDLER