Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-26
A BLACK SHEEP.
Curly Schwartz, the Little Mailer,
and His Happy Marriage.

II was seven o'clock on cool Sep
tember evening. The sun had set upon
Smol1eton, but dull red glow still
fingered in the heavens, above the heavy
bar of smoke that lay upon the horizon.
Above the cool, gray river, in which the
red evening glow and the twinkling
lights of the city lay clearly reflected,
the "clustering spires" of Smokcton
Island stood out against the darkcning
sky; the long arch of the bridge, with
its lights cleaning in red and gold,
gave touch to the picture that was al
most Venetian; the evening star hung
low in the west, and from loftier height
the young moon looked calmly upon the
peaceful scene.
That the horizon bar of smoke was
much less heavy than usual gave no
manner of satisfaction to Thisbe Bar
ton as she paced hurricdly back and
forth by the riverside, with her masses
of tawny hair unprotected from the
evening breeze. For absence of smoke
in Smoketon meant idle factories, and
what that meant Thsbe and many
learn during the four months strike,
which as yet showed no sign of drawing
to close.
A step behind her made her turn to
meet the gaze of rather small and
narrow-chested individual whose pale,
dark face and STOPPING shoulders were
at once reduced to insignificance by con-
trast with the girls vigorous person
ality.
as that you, Curly Schwartz" she
asked rather roughly. I've just heard
something of you, and if it's true, you'll
say goodbye to Thisbe Barton"
The man heaved long sigh as he
took off his hat and ran his fingers
through the crisp, dark locks that had
been the origin of his nickname.
81 guess I'll have to do that. anyway,
Thisbe," he answered meekly. The
girl drew herself up haughtily, while
her brown eyes gave an angry flash.
"What are you talkin' about?" she
asked wrathfully.
I'm talkin' about how I've been
goin' around with YOU for better'n two
years." he answered, mot to speak of
havin' loved you all my life-and you
was real good to me when we was chill
dren, Thisbe. Not another girl in
Smoketon have / ever looked at, and
you know it; yet you won't say.neither
yes nor no, prompt and decided; and l
can't stand it no longer"
'And so," the girl answered with
slow scorn, "as if had not lowered my
selfenough by goin' around with mere
feeder you have gone and turned
'black sheep to make me ashamed to
hold up my head before my brothers. "
''And if / have turned black sheep,
where's the harmp" he demanded sui
lenly.
"Where's the harm in bein' traitorp'
she demanded, yet more enraged by his
ignoring her connection with the mat
ter. "Where's the harm in givin' in to
lower wages, like n coward?"
81 amt. I'm goin' on as mailer, al
better wages than ever l got in my
life"
"Yes; betrayin' your class, and takin'
the place OF better man than your
self"
I'm doin' nothin' of the kind. My
class is the feeder nailcrs, and I'm bene'
1ittin' one of them givin' him rise in
life. o, Thsbe," faltering suddenly in
his defiant sullenness and looking into
her face with appealing pathos. 80
Thisbe, don't be so hard on a fellow!
amt coward, nor n traitor, neither
If twas only me, could starve or beg
as well as any one; but there my pool
old mothcr-what is she to do while In
waitin' for the nailers to get the wages
that suits 'emp I've done everything {
man could do since this strike began
I've even swep' the streets and beer
glad enough to get the job; but there
plenty more as bad off rs me, and job
is hard to get. More than that, Thisbe
I've been drove half mad by you
blowin' hot one minute and cold thu
next one day smilin' on me, and thu
next ON that Geoff. Walton, the biz
fool. He's one of the nailers I'm to b'
KEEP starvin' to please, amt hep No
want work, hard work, to keep mi
from thinkin, Thisbe. I've the chance
of better place an higher wages thai
ever had, an I'm a-goin' to take 'em
you'll never sneer at me for bein' 'onl.
a feeder again, anyway"
Have you tinishedp" asked Thisbe
white with passion, "because / don
wish to interrupt you; but if you ar
quite sure you are entirely through
have something to tell you. Geoff Wal
ton asked me again last night to MARI
him, and promised TO give him a
answer this evenin'. He told me yo
was goin' on at the mill, or I'd a sal
yes right off. So / came out here t
think it over, and I've made up m
mind He's true man, Geoff is; yo
won't catch him goin back on the worl
ingman and truclilin' to the oppressol
SO think shall say yes"
''Then wish you may get what yo
Deserve" said Curly, turning abrupt
on his heel and walking of, without ii
ceremony of farewell.
Thisbe stood looking after him in u
ter silence, her hands clenched at III
sides, her nostrils dilated, her who
figure tense with anger. Anger, to-
with which surprise was largely mingle
for Curly Schwartz had been her humb
slave for so long that she could scarce
realize that he had at last declared
independence. Perhaps she would lii
him all the better for it after a Will
Even in the midst of her rage there W
strange new ache at her heart whi
she proudly denied even to her ov
soul.
"As If / cared for him." she mutter
as she tied on her hat and turned b
face homeward.
Curly had walked rapidly in the dir
ton OF Browns mill. He was not
coward, as he had truly said; but if
Intention to turn "black sheep had &
ten wind the less he was seen alone af
dark the better. Smoketon police VIZ
not distinguished for their efficient vi
lance. and many striker would ha
asked no better fun than 10 knock
s'trait0p' quietly over tho head,
Browns mill stood AZ .h9 ,ond