The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-15
the pEMBERToN STRIKE,

Groups OF men with sullen, discon.
so!ate faces were standn. around the
streets engaged i'll murmured col
louuy. The mill bells sounded. A
few OF the idiers obeyed; others re-
manned unmovcd.
A woman appeared and entered the
building. Scowls darkencl some OF
the faces as she went by. Tall and
finely-formed. her poor dress scarcely
hid the noble carriage OF her he;,d aud
shoulders. An absent, harassed look
detracted from her beauty.
"Why don't on 90 to work." The
voice was pleasant, the words pcrem-
tory. The speaker paused ere lie,
too, entered. lie was OF good height.
with clear-cut face and bright, keen
eyes. A rare smile gave Sentleness to
nn otherwise stern countenance. His
general appearance bespoke the mas
ter
Later man entered the office.
Ross Gilbert looked up. illreleascd
ut the interruption. The intruder
seemed uneasy. amd his voice was IL
little husky
"Nle and the men want you to dis.
charge that young woman. boss. It's
IL man's place; We amt willn' TO have
women folks around"
The proprietor's eyes flashed. "Nou
and the men may 20! won't be
dictated to. Tell them to attend
to their own business, Rob.
erts, aud I'll attend to mine. Bully
ing will do no good" And shutting
his desk with % snap, he returned to
his writing.
Evidently not prepared with iurth-
er argument, the man stood mo.
ment, then turned away. No change
OF countenance betrayed Mr.. Gilberts =
CONSCIOUSNESS of black looks or any
thing special through the day. But
at home keener eyes watched him.
Cross, what's the natter" his wife
asked. A fair women with soft, bright
hair, rounded figure, deicatcly-moul,l
ed features and dark blue eyes, anima.
ted andexpressive. Some modern dill
Guilty with the sight caused her to wear
glasses, adding Il penetrating quality
to her glance
GLOW do you know anything Is the
matter" His looks softene,l as it
rested upon her.
"No subterfuges" she cried playful.
ly. "You always feel better to con.
"Well-mischiei, and u woman at
the bottom OF it. I've employed one
at the mill and the men don't ap-
she heard there was work. She is
satisfactory and ] mean to keep her,
that's all"
"lsn't it something new to employ
women"
"Ycs."
81 hope there won't be any trouble"
she sad, signing,
Shall | give it up and send her
off,"
Certainly not; oply, dear. in an
tkrT!ha EMa 'S Wis i'sIii CLEARING away the supper.
An Older woman. traces of sorrnW -
her face. sat near. turning OCCASION
ally to look at her daughter.
"Ycn like the work and think you'll
manage it. Eunice?"
"ies, if we're to have any luck"
The woman sighed and rclapsed into
silence till knock startled them.
Eunice opened the door, shrinking
back MS she faced a group OF men.
you would ioin the Champions OF
Freedom It's II society and We cx
pect all what works with us to be-
long"
81 don't know anything about 1t.
don't want tn Join anything" sald
the girl in II trembling voice.
N'ou'd find it To your advantage"
~ rather not" she answered.,
"Iou won't. then; that's tinaI?"
"No." sh. said. "l'm Obliged to you.
but don't want to Join"
"Beware" cried u voice i'll thcdark
ness as they turned away.
Tired and haras>ed, Eunice burst
into tears. ooh. have we come away
from one trouble ulst to get into
something worse? IL, better have
done as they wished. AZ Last |
should have found out something"
"Iou're done out. You'd better
get To bed" the elder woman sad.
/ but there was tenderness in in to,rh
which smoothel the girls dark hair.
| Eunice returned to her work heavy
hearted. lnfrienlly gl;tnce> had iol-
lowed her before, but she had been
unconscious; now she had an uneasy
sense OF being ostraclsc,l. 81 can't
stand it," she sand, after IL day or
two. II must Join their society. III
never get on unless do"
"Act us you think best, themother
replied.
Meanwhile the simmerins discomfort
had been takn. shape. Numerous
meetings were held and u course OF nc-
ton decided; when the CIR! applied she
was refused.
A strnnser in the place, she and her
mother had held aloof in ~ manner
to give offence. Mr.. Gilbert, too, was
II newcomer; his manner OF conduct
ing affairs differed from his p"eleces
sor' s.; and though prompt in payment
he was strict us to hours. etc. and
had not gained popularity,
Once more the "boss's calculations
were interrupted by Il deputation.
"We've come to give notice tina, ui-
less the wages is rih and that giri dis
charged we quit" =.
"IIl do neither, and you know ii,
Ross Gilbert thllnderttl.
MAY be he takes Il pertickler inter-
est in the young woman"
There was no mlaknkin. the lnslnu'
alton OF the tone. Ross >rran.. TO his
feet, but II OBTAINING hand was LAID on
his shoulder. Gently. sir. The fei-
lows don't know what IL sweet lady
you have"
"What, Harvey. You in with tins
set OF rascals"'
ave won't call hard names, sir. I've
done my best to dlssuade them. ]
don't mean to quit He WAS u tall
fellow. with fine face. "Don't make
threats" he cont inued, seeing the 9TH
er about to speak, now when you're
angered, ii may make so free as to
say it. DO nothing that you will be
sorry for by and by"
"rhank you" Mr.. Gilbert sald qui-
city, .'i've given you my answer, men,