Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-15
miscellaneous
A PROUD WOMAN.
Continued from yesterday

|
81 cannot prevent you from saying what
YOU like" she said with suppressed excite
ment. "a woman living alone has no
protection from persons who force their
opinions upon her."
"She has her own weakness for her de-
fence" he answered more gently. ''Since
NV presence and sentiments are unwel-
come. will leave you. will not again
offend YOU; believe me, would not have
spoken If had not loved you."
He left her, and she sank down upon
lounge. She was so silent that a servant
who entered did not observe her. and
turned down the lights, believing the
room to be unoccupied.
The freight glanced about, frightened
the faded furniture. and finally shone soft
and warm upon Helene Lytton's face.
She was living still. deep in thought. her
dark eyes fixed upon the fire. her lips and
cheeks crimson as wine.
She was startled out Of her reverie by a
shot from a distant rifle. She sprang up
and listened.
1t twas followed by dozen or more re-
ports, which rang out sharply upon the
cold night air. They came from the d.
rection of the Treadwell mills. What ter
rible tragedy was being there enacted?
Her heart beat unanimously, and her
face was drained of its warm color. Her
suspense was painful.
When would she know the result of her
first decision concerning the strikers? He
was there amid all the noise and danger;
she was sure that nothing she had said
would deter him from trying to save the
mills.
Would he come back and tell her the
result of his efforts? Might he not be in
iured, dyng-dead, even-and so unable
to come to her? She caught up a cloak,
wrapped it closely about her, and drew
its hood over her head.
She was going out into the darkness
and danger alone. to know what was be-
ing done on that frlghtful. riotous night.
Everything was in readiness when the
strikers reached the Treadwell mills
that night The police had vainly tried
to dsband them. The rioters were strong
in number, and the police force in that
little town was small.
Behind the barred doors of the main build
ing 800 silent men waited with rifles in
their hands. Only one window was light
ed 1t was in the superintendent room.
AS the crowd approached, he stepped
out upon the parapet surrounding his
window. and commanded 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 tonight" he said, earned with clubs
and rifles. with which you mean to injure
one helpless woman. God help you,
workmen, for having fallen so low as
thisr'
He explained that if their demands had
been granted, the mills must necessarily
have ceased running in few months,
through lack of profit. He asked if half a
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 a blow at their wives and chill
dren by their wanton conduct, and were
bringing want and hunger into their own
households.
Many of the ex-wOrkmen were influ
enced 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. The order was given to fire
blank cartridges at the mob, and it was
obeyed
The rioters returned fire with balls, but
Unfortunately thew were surprised at
the defense in the mill. having supposed
it to be deserted
A rumor spread like fire, that the build
was full of soldiers. Some of the outside
men ran away, others engaged in person
al skirmishes, and the new men fred
another volley of blank cartridges, adding
hideous confusion to the scene.
At the end of fifteen minutes the mob
was disbanded, few ring-leaders had
been arrested and few heads had been
broken, but the Treadwell mills were I'M
injured.
! Everything about them seemed silent
and forsaken 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 him P"
! The Waterman hestated.
'If you please" he said, 1.-The superin-
tendent has been hurt. Somebody put
bullet into him, and the doctor is probing
for the ball. 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 I'M
like the naughty mistress of Lytton Hall.
The physician was going out to order
carriage for his patient. In answer to
her questions he said that Mr.. Lincoln had
been shot in the arm. His wound was
not necessarily dangerous, although it was
very painful.
Her color began to return.
| "Do YOU think he would be able-that
he would like to see me ?'
The doctor was too gallant to think his