The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-05-09
The PempertOn Strike.

Groups of men with sullen, discon-
tented faces were standing around the
streets engaged in murmured colloquy.
The mill bells sounded. A few of the
idlers obeyed; others remained I'M
moved.
A woman appeared and entered the
building. Scowls darkened some of
the faces as she went by. Tall and
finely-formed, her poor dress scarcely
hid the noble carriage of her head and
shoulders. An absent, harassed look
detracted from her beauty.
Why don't you 90 to work." The
voice was pleasant, the words peremp-
tory. The speaker paused ere he, too,
entered. He was of good height, with
clear-cut face and bright, keen eyes. A
rare smile gave gentleness to an other
wise stern countenance. His general
appearance bespoke the master.
Later a man entered the office. Ross
Gilbert looked up, ill-pleased at the in
terruption. The intruder seemed I'M
easy and his voice was little husky.
"Me and the men want you to dis
charge that young woman, boss. It's a
mans place; we amt willin' to have
WOmen-1OlKS around"
The proprietor's eyes flashed. you
and the men may go! l won't be die
tated to. Tell them to attend to their
own business, Roberts, and I'll attend
to mine. Bullying will do no good"
And shutting his desk with a snap, he
returned to his writing.
Evidently not prepared with further
argument, the man stood a moment,
then turned away. No change of
countenance BETRAYED Mr.. Gilbert's
consciousness of black looks or anything
special through the day. But at home
keener eyes watched him.
90 Ross, what's the matter?" his wife
asked. a fair woman with soft, bright
hair, rounded figure, delicately -molded
features and dark-bue eyes, animated
and expressive. Some modern diff
Guilty with the sight caused her to wear
glasses, adding penetrating quality to
her glance.
''How do you know anything is the
matter?" His look softened as it rested
upon her.
"No subterfuges! " she cried, play,
fully "You always feel better tC
confess"
Well-mischief, and woman al
the bottom of it. I've employed one
at the mill and the men don't approve
a stranger who came because she heard
there was work. She is satisfactory
and mean to keep her, that's all"
Isn't it something new to employ
women?"
Yes"
"I hope there won't be trouble,
she said, signing.
Shall | give up and send her OFF,"
Certainly not; only, dear, in al
issue be gentle"
In the front room of small house {
girl was clearing away the supper. Al
older woman, traces of sorrow on he
face, sat near, turning occasionally t,
look at her daughter.
"You like the work and think you'll
manage it, Eunice?"
" Yes, if we're to have any luck.
The woman sighed and relapsed int
silence till knock startled them.
Eunice opened the door, shrinking
back as she faced a group of men.
"Good evenin'. We called to ask
you would join the Champions of Free
dom? Its society and we expect a
what works with us to belong"
81 don't know anything about it..
don't want to join anything" said tn
girl in a trembling voice.
" You'd find it to your advantage
"I'd rather not" she answered.
"You won't, then; that's final?"
"No," she said, " Pm obliged to yor
but ] don't want to join"
Bewarel" cried voice in tn
darkness as they turned away.
Tired and harassed, Eunice bur'
into tears. "Oh, have we come ava
from one trouble just to get into some
thing worse! I'd better have done q
they wished. At least | should hav
found out something"
"You're done out. You'd bette
get to bed," the elder woman said, bu
there was tenderness in the touch whic
smoothed the girls dark hair.
Eunice returned to work heavy
hearted. Unfriendly glances had TO