Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-02-15
CHAPTER ".
aAyAENAH NpituyN

The days that followed were days of
trouble and doubt. Gideon prawle's
influence with the men prevailed; the
strike was determined upon, aud the
notices were givenin.
After the scene In Mury's cottage
there was no longer room for doubt in
Toms mind us to which side he would
take and he declared strongly and
uugrily against Gideon.
hi. brought about much ill-fecling,
and Tom was threatened more than
once with what would happen II he
turned "knobsticls." Others, however,
more cautious and friendly. urged him
to leave the place aud not fly in the
face 81 the ma iority,
I'VE must obey the vote Of the ma
iority," said they. "ho matter what the
cause may he. This giving in by the
minority Is the very lifc-blood of all
trades unions
"Thcn III have no more To do with
trades unions answered Tom, rcso-
mtcly. "Whnt say Is that I'll never
be party to chumpioning such fell
low ns Gideon
But IL isn't championing him, but
standing by the union, lad, that you've
got 20 think OF in this natter
Then let the union take n sensible
line and act Justly. Dye think haven't
worked for the union? Nay, you know
| have. and that there's no tirmer be.
lever than | in the right of the men To
stand or fall toget Their when the cause
X lust. But not to protect such fell
Ia ha
were good one, I'd starve till every
blessed ounce of flesh wasted off my
bones before I'd give in; but not for u
skunk like that"
| And they could not move him.
They went to Mary to see whether
she would influence him; for after the
time when he had rushed in to protect
her, he had let IL be known that they
two were to be married; but Mary
would NOT hear II word against Tom.
She thought he was doing the right
thing and said 30.
Reuben Gorringe went to Tom some
few days before the notices expired,
and spoke to him.
what are you going to do In this
matter, Toni" he asked.
"I'm going on with my work." he
said.
"But you're local secretary of the
union"
IL was. I've resigned. I've left the
socicty-at least they as good AS turned
me out, when wouldn't strike"
Come to the office, want TO speak
to YOU" and when they were alone, hi
suid; Have you no influence TO stoI
this folly?'
"Nu, none. have tried, but the
men are determined to stand by Glib
con-" said Tom.
"They are fools, and that's the Ions
and short OF It, What about the
women?"
81 don't think many OF them will g
out, II any do. I've heard one or tw'
talk about giving In u notice, but
, don't think they will, They know
: what strike pay means too well :
quarrel with their victuals for shift
4 scoundrel like Gideon Prawle,"
. "They can't beat me-" said the mar
, ager, resolutely,
8 "What about Gibeon?' said Gorring'
= after pause, What's your candi
I opinion about him2'
. 81 don't want to talk Of him. He's
= scoundrel and cowardly frightene
9 Of women" said Tom, his eyes brigh
IA ening with anger
J. "What do you mean? Is II becau'
= he Is the man concerned that you stan
by me and against the society?" aske
n Gorringe, looking searchingly at Il
k other,
YES, that's about the size of it," al
d swered Tom. III he came back to Il
d mill we should leave"
"We?n said Reuben Gorringe, quio'
II ly and suspiciously
Z eyes. Mary and have settled tina
We'd neither of MS work where he wa
., We're going To be married, you kno'
" when this troubles passed over bit
The manager had bent over a draw
m at his table while this was said, al
Il made no answer for quite minui
- seeming to be searching for somethil
In he could not find, At last he got
M from his chair, and continued I
:, search with his back TO Tom.
IN "Oh, are your" he said, In a vol
meant to be indifferent
"A 1--WE shall wait till after this BIZ
" nssA.af the strike" said Tosa. al I