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

Act as you think BEST" the mother
replied.
Meanwhile the simmering discomfort
had been taking shape. Numerous
meetings were held and course of ac-
ton decided; when the girl applied she
was refused.
A stranger in the place, she and her
mother had held aloof in a manner to
give offence. Mr.. Gilbert, too, was
newcomer; his manner of conducting
affairs differed from his predecessors,
and though prompt in payment, he was
strict as to hours, etc., and had not
gained popularity.
Once more the "boss'" calcula-
tons were interrupted by deputation.
"We've come to give notice that unless
the wages is riz and that girl discharged
we quit"
"I'll do neither, and you know it,"
Ross Gilbert Numbered.
" May be he takes pertlckler inter-
est in the young womanl"
There was no mistaking the insinu-
alton of the tone. Ross sprang to his
feet, but OBTAINING hand was laid on
his shoulder. "Gently, sirl The fell
lows don't know what sweet lady you
have"
"What, Harveyl You in with this
set of rascals?"
eve wont call hard names, sir. I've
done my best to dissuade them. l don't
mean to quit" He was tall fellow,
with fine face. Don't make threats"
he continued, seeing the other about to
speak, b" 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. GIVE given you my answer,
men, and it is final"
''Then quits the word" said the
spokesman, and they filed out. Many
of the towns-people agreed to stand by
Mr.. Gilbert; others thought him un-
reasonable and the employment of
woman Objectionable. Six men, in
Guiding Harvey, remained, and the girl,
the cdSus belH, added one more.
Well do what we can short-handed,"
Ross said to his wife, "and if it comes
to the worst, close down. l won't
yield"
The closer contact which the small
numbers entailed threw Eunice and
Harvey much together, friendship
ripening into warmer feeling. But it
was becoming almost impossible for Mr..
Gilbert to 90 on and murmurs and dis
content were beginning to prevail.
Eunice, though happy, felt 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, Harvey
had left the mill shortly after, and was a
witness. though not in time to see the
perpetrator With an imprecation he
sprang forward and bent over her, then
raised her in his arms and carried her
home.
lis it true, Ross, that they have
killed that poor girl 20
"I'm afraid So"
Tears sprang to Mrs. Gilbert's eyes
and hot words to her lips, but she con-
troled herself.
g 1t is hard to be Just and not blame
the innocent for the guilty." she said.
Her husband stopped, kissing her
soberly. "You are a good woman.
Yes, 90 at once" Gin answer to her sug-
gestion); "if any one can help them
you can"
hC olOLC lNllSu i~ubiNN N'pi
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 in
sulting speech to Mr.. Gilbert; he alone
was missing. That he had personal
grudge against Eunice was surmised
by some, but none else had been con-
cerned in the outrage and few mourned
his absence. The mill was closed; the
girls life hung by thread.
g want to see Mrs. Gilbert" II
was George Harvey who asked.
She thought him fine fellow, babe
: him be seated, and said, smiling" per.
ceive 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.. Gilbert would open the mill-wt
can't live doing nothing-yet they DOM
, like to ask him. Perhaps you dom
know that Eunice had promised to be
my wife, and if that stone had killed
} her-well, don't like to think abou
= i'll can't say how | would feel toward
them. But, thank God, the doctor say
7 she'll pull through. She's clear in he
head to-day and begged me to come anC
7 ask Mr.. Gilbert to take them back
She's had much trouble in the old coun
try, but it is over now and we shall b,
; happy together
a am very glad, George" Mrs. Gil
bert answered; 81 but what is it you
4 want me to dor"
Just this. You know, ma 'am, beg
a ging your pardon, Mr.. Gilbert's prett.
n quick and pretty steady to stick to
r thing, and I've don't know what h
o may have said he'd do or wouldn't do
But Eunice thought if you would us
! your influence may be he'd let by-gone
be by-gones and meet the fellows hal
. way"
o My husband will do what is just,
she answered, with quiet dignity
g :" but" more gently, " if Eunice ca
forgive all others should, and / will d
if what | can"
= "A thousand thanks" Harvey said
II as he left. {" hone You'll pardon IN