The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-05-18
shiTH'S STRIKE.


on the justice OF the strikers demands
and to make II few well seasoned re.
marks upon the deserved deserts OF
the bloated capitalists.
.Iem WAS sstanding by the office 81 owe,
warming his hands before going to
load up the neXt ton ofcoal and deliver
ing it. lie was not I, learned man.
not q reasoner particularly-his lo.ic
for the greater part was dependent
upon the thinking OF others whom he
considered us being wiser than himself.
As a significant, sidelong look might
testify lie fully indorscd all that Mr..
Smith had said, but made no remarks
and soon went on out about his bust.
ness.
The firm was that OF John Smith,
coal dealer, and consisted OF John
Smith, capitalist and bookkee ,,er.
and Jem Jones, loader and deliverer.
1t was the only firm OF The kind in the
village of jackson and consequently
had done a thriving business for years.
John Smith was accounted as one OF
the richest men in the county, aud he
told them all that ECONOMY done it;
economy, and close application to
business"
Jem reasoned rightly that that firm
could not do without him. lie had
been with it for over five years, yet
week after week % 81 bill had been
handed to him rs ample return for
his labors and week after week he
other member Of tile firm added more
and more to his already fat bank ac-
counted. Jem had never been able to
lay anything by-his bunk account
went steaily the other way, and this
winter. it had been harder for him to
keep alive than ever before.
"les, sir!" said .Iem aloud, as lie
threw in the last shovclful, and,
mounting his seat, took up the lines.
cts dumb shame to expect a, man
to keep II family these times OIL such
wages, and when he earns more too.
guess maybe I'll 20 out on a strike
too, as Smith seems to think its the
proper thing to do. He'll never get
anybody who can drive old .1acky
like can"-and Jem smiled, while. on
hearing his name spoken aloud, old
Jacky pricked up hislong, pointed ears
and listened wisely
Jacky was u mule, from way back
nobody remembered where MIR. Smith
had first gotten him. but all agreed
that Jacky had had us much OF
share in the accumulation of the
! Smith property as anybody had had.
Through winters stingin. cold and
summers burning heat, Jacky pulled
the heavy loaded coal wagon and
prospered well, while il was settled
he had come to stay until the blow of
Gabrlel's trumpet. In regard to gen.
eral disposition, he was an honor to
his ancest ors, for no mule ever kicked
harder or higher, or had n stiil back
bone when he so desired, or was more
set in his prejudices, or could scn'i
teSs Elm atxxy xxy!ih @hsFsr,ersfc ssSt, tha et ei
tues and accomplishments. lie was
fond OF his driver and seldom balkcd
or kicked, or showed any OF his pecul-
iarites when Jem WAS about.
1t was Saturday morning. At noon
Jem told MIR. Smith he would have to
have six dollars from the next week
on, or else he must Quit work for
him that evening. MIR. Smith opened
his mouth, and his specs flew off.
"Why, .Iem"' he exclaimed, 81 al
wavs thought you were satisfied"
"No," replied Jem, decisively. "But
thought I'd consider it first, and
now I'll have to quit unless You pay
me what you ought to.
"But you can't get work anywhere
else, demonstrated Mr.. Smith.
II guess can ii try" replied Jem,
bravely.
Well, Jem." said Mr.. Smith. with
q wave OF his hand. ~ can quick
enough get somebody to take your
place-plenty OF poor devils would bo
glad to get five dollars every week.
1t had always been the custom for
Mr.. Smith to pay Jem at noon on
good wife, could lay in things ioi Sun.
day and the comm. week. So i'll 81.
lence he counted five one dollar bills,
and in silence .]em put them in his
pocket. went to the stable, and put
up Jacky, and then went home to II
scanty dinner. He co,nselcd with
Mary about it, and she advised him
to stick to it and not to 90 back to
work that afternoon, for they both
knew Jacky, and they were not wor-
ried over the results OF the strike.
Mary busted herself that afternoon III
engaging several washlnss to do the
next week.
AS Mr.. Smith found that Jcm did
not return, he locked the Office and
went up street. The weather was
quite cool, promising for colder, AMI
there were about IL dozen orders to he
delivered that afternoon.so there was
no time to waste. As he had said, IL
new man was not hard to find.
Jacky consented to being hitched to
the wagon, although the scowl on his
expressive face was not reassnrnc.
He even consented to draw the load
few PAGES, and then suddenly he
stood stock stone still, after the man.
Eer OF his kind. He didn't understand
this thing OF ~ new driver. and it
didn't make any difference il he had
undcrstood-he didn't propose TO
go!
The "scab" coaxed. attempted to
put him at % safe distance from his
hind heels, got oil his seat and at
tempted to lead him but no use; and
after ten or fifteen minutes he gave it
up and went into the office and told
Mr.. Smith, while .Iacky firmly held
his ground.
"What a predicament!" shouted
Mr.. Smith, really cettin. worried. for
several loads were for his best GUS
toners; "confound that mule, I'll set
tie HIM" and OIL he started toward
the wagon, leaving the man in charge
OF the office. However, Iacky had
no more regard Tor the more iniluen.
tial member OF the firm than tor the
other. Money was no consideration
to Jacky. There he stood, calm aud
determined, rs firmly as though root
ed and grown from the earth. Mr.
Smith coaxed, he threatened. he whip
ped lightly, then climbed down from
the seat and undertook to beiabor
old Jacky well. being too angry to le-
member tradition regarding the hind
heels OF n mule.
rNho ,,;,t OIL nm rars and knOwin,