Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-02-26
But wherep Alreadv the strikers

she had come, and escape in any otbo.
| direction was prevented by tho mill
itself Nothing better occurred 20 her
than to crouch behind pile Of stones
and rubbish, little way UP the hill,
until the rioters should arrive, when,
favored by the darkness, she hoped to
make her way through the crowd as
one of themselves II they should
suspect and molest her-the girls
beautiful lips parted in n notvery pretty
smile as she caught up a tolerably-sizei
stone from the heap and held 1t firmly
in her strong right hand.
Yet for all her courage the scene which
followed returned upon her many times
in after years rs dream of horror-the
breaking open of the gate, the shouts of
defiance from within, the masked fig
ures piling flaming brands against the
door, undeterrcd by a scattering pistol
fire from the defenders. The mill was
well provided with arms and ammuni-
ton, but perhaps the nerve of the be-
sieged was shaken by the suddenness Of
the attack, or perhaps they were not
well accustomed to the use of their
weapons. Whatever the cause, the vol
ley did little harm beyond singing the
rioters into increased fury.
And now the door began to smolder
and cracklc, when suddenly it was flung
wide and party of the besieged rushed
through the fire, scattering and stamp
ing it out as they dashed upon the
rioters, while another party flung pals
of water upon the smoldering door and
the still-burning brands. For moment
the rioters gave BACK; but as the be-
thn,, Al,tnnf apnnf,t1tShnI made
an equally sudden rush for the mill,
their opponents rallied and followed
close at their heels with yells of de-
tiance.
Curly Schwartz had been one of the
foremost in this sally. Thisbe, who,
unable to make her way home, had
been swept forward instead by the
crowd, saw his form clearly defined
against the dull, red glow of the fur
mace fires within the low, wide doorway.
Nor was she the only one who recog-
nized him. There was shout, a curse
upon him by name, and q heavy club
raised by powerful arm. Then a
stone, which certainly came from
Thisbe's direction, struck Geoffrey Wal
toms wrist; the arm fell by his side, and
Curly's pistol touched his temple. Only
for an instant, for beneath the black
Grape upon which the furnace fires
cleaned all so red, Curly seemed to see
the innocent eyes of the boy with whom
he had played in childhood. His arm
dropped and he turned with the rest to
regain the shelter of the mill. At the
same moment crushing blow fell upon
him from behind; he dropped like log
and the trampling of many feet passed
over his body.
That he was drawn by strong and ten
der arms into sheltered corner, Curly
never knew for many long day after
ward: but when the rioters withdrew at
the approach of day, leaving Brown 5
mill in no very good condition for work,
he was found with his head resting upon
the lap of beautiful girl, who looked
up with eyes of mingled hope and dread
as she cried: s'He isn't dead, I'm sure
of it. o, help me take him home!"
From that time Thisbe never left him
He was carried to his own house, where
slowly but happily he regained some
measure of his former strength. He
was never more able for hard work, ant
it is difficult to imagine what woulC
|
but for the wife who had married hin
when he lay upon his sick bed, unable
to move hand or foot Thisbe, however
was equal to anything-even to bearing
the reproaches of her family. The,
were very bitter at first, but even hel
brothers used their influence to protec
: both herself and her husband, whom in
deed the nailers were not inclined t.
{ molest, from q perhaps well-founde,
: conviction that his punishment (what
, ever they meant by thaD had bee
meted out by Providence. But after
! few years the Bartons so far relented a
to assist their erring sister to open
t small shop, in serving which Curl
found employment not too hard for hi
q feeble strength.
, Long before this the trouble betwee
!. the workingmen and ''bosses" {
q Smoketon had been submitted to arb
r tration and settled. Then came
r European war and consequent boor
r in iron. Some of the mill men (wh
r perhaps had finger or two in othe
n speculations) grew suddenly ricl
among whom was Geoffrey Walton, no
4 married and the head of a family. II
v wife became a leader in Smoketon ST
4 ciety, and her handsome carriage ofte
n passed the little, one-windowed she
r where Thisbe ofiiciated with unfailin
l. good temper and the brightest of smile
IT But no sign of recognition ever can
l. from carriage to shop, even when upc
= bright summer days Curly's chair WI
b set upon the pavement and his pa
q figure luXuriated in the sunshine. The
he would grumble bitterly against VIII
v he called his fortune, and his wife won
s answer, as she tossed her bright-hair'
d baby until he crowed again, while dar
n eyed Lima clung timidly to her dress.
r. "You keep still, Curly Schwartz. L
Il the one to complain, for might a bet
) ridin' in that carriage now if I'd
j. chose"
,r "But you amt sorry, Thisbep" Cur
l. would ask, with an anxious glance in
: her face.
!. mot much!" would be the vigoro
Il response. II never could abide t
n sight of that Geoff. Walton, anyhow
r % Thisbe, Thisbe, what memory y,
,e haveD land besides, woman can't
,r more than perfectly. happy, seems to n
,e More than that, whatever would you
e. without me, CurlyP
m "Die," Curly would answer quiet
at Then a momentary glance of tend'
d ness would soften the bright bro,
,e eyes, to be Immediately dismissed wi
a toss of the tawny head as This
~ woulJ lift up her voice in some g
.. .. song, to which the baby boy wor
20 :. crow an answer, while her husba
=, listened with smile of happiness.
4 Chicago Tribune.
N PRETTY CONCElTS.
n q |