Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-05-21

lady you nave.
"What, Harvey! You in with this
set of rascals?"
t'We won't call hard names, sir.
I've done the best could TO dissuade
them. l don't mean to quit" He
was a tall fellow, with a fine face.
''Don't make threats" he continued, +,
seeing the other about to speak ,"now
when you're angered, if | may make
so free as to say it. Do nothing
that you will be sorry for by and by" +"
"Thank you," Mr.. Gilbert said
quietly, "I've given you my answer,
men, and it is final"
"Then quits the word" said the
spokesman, and they filed out. Many
of the townspeople agreed to stand
by Mr.. Gilbert; others thought him
unreasonable and the employment Of
a woman Objectionable. Six men,
including Harvey, remained, and the
girl, the caSus deUi, added one more.
"We'll do what we can shorthand
ed," Ross said to his wife, "and if
it comes to the worst, close down. |
won't yield"
The closer contact which the small
numbers entailed threw Eunice and
Harvey much together, friendship
ripening into a warmer feeling. But
it was becoming almost impossible
for Mr.. Gilbert to go on, and muir
murs and discomfort were beginning
to prevail.
Eunice, though happy, felt a strange
nervousness. Fastening home one
evening, she heard a rustling in the
bushes, and an unseen hand hurled a
stone at her, which felled her uncon-
scious to the ground. Happily Har-
vey had left the mill shortly after,
and was a witness, though not i'm time
to see the perpetrator. With an inn
precation he sprang forward and bent
over her, then raised her in his arms
and carried her home.
SIS it true, Ross, that they have
killed that poor girl!"
'Im afraid So"
Tears sprang to Mrs. Gilbert's
eyes and hot words to her lips, but
she controlled herself.
SIT is hard to be just and not
blame the innocent for the guilty."
she said.
Her husband stopped, kissing her
"You are a good woman.
Yes, go at once" Tin answer to her
suggestion) elf any one can help
them you can"
The stone which felled Eunice Cor
don was the death blow to the strike.
Horror at the deed was universal
nor was there much doubt as to the
guilty person. Jim Farrell had made
the insulting speech to Mr.. Gilbert;
he alone was missing. That he had
a personal grudge against Eunice was
surmised by some, but none else had
been concerned in the outrage and
few mourned his absence. The mill /
was closed; the girls life hung by a
thread.
81 want to see Mrs. Gilbert" 1t
was George Harvey who asked.
She thought him fine fellow, bade |
him be seat ~ and said smiling, Il |
perceive YOU have important business
with me, George"
"You see, ma'am, it stands this |
way. The men would be glad TO /
come back, if Mr.Gilbertt would open
the mill-we can't live doing nothing /
yet they don't like to ask him.
Perhaps you don't know that Eunice
had promised to be my wife, and if
hat stone had killed her-well,I L don't
ike to think about it can't say
low | would feel toward them. But,
hank God, the doctor says she will
pull through. She's clear in her head
o-day and begged me to come and
lsk Mr.. Gilbert to take them back.
She's had much trouble in the old
country, but it is over now and we
hall be happy together"
81 am very glad, George" Mrs.
Gilbert answered "but what is it
-ou want me to do?
"Just this. You know, ma'am,
'egging your pardon, Mr.. Gilbert's
pretty quick and pretty steady to
tick at a thing, and I've don't
now what he may have said he'd do
I wouldn't do. But Eunice thought
f you would use your influence may
e he'd let bygones be bygones and
leet the fellows half way"
"My husband will do what is just" 5
he answered, with quiet dignity I
but, more gently, ''if Eunice can
Orgive all the others should, and | |
ill do what | can"
GA thousand thanks" Harvey {
aid as he left. 81 hope you will I
ardon my boldness."
Gross, will you take those men S
ack if they will Gomez"
"Never!" sprang to his lips, but S
is better sense, as well asher finger v
ps across his mouth, prevented his t
ttering it. So she told him Eunice's Il
ntreaty. "Don't think me meddle-
ome, but would it not be possible to {
cooperative system "
hereby the workers might have "
lare in the profits, which would {,
AXE them feel a personal interest in "
lie masters success? Would it not Fl
2 possible?"
stHOu'Ve a level head on those a