The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1894-05-04
STRIKE EPISODE.

1t Is the last night of the year 1892, and
the town Of W is given over to mirGh
and jollity. In the lower quarters the poor
are enjoying themselves in their W pecul-
lar way, while the more fortunate denizens
OF the local "higher world'' are speeding
the old and welcoming the new year within
the council chamber of the own hall.
This ancient building, usually the seat
Of municipal government, has thrown aside
its sober, everyday appearance and now
masquerades as a gay and festive temple
of the light footed goddess.
The officers of the Eighty-fourth depot
are giving their yearly ball. The Snug
faced colliery proprietor is there, the pros
porous cotton merchant is there, the only
representative possessed by the district of
the landed gentry class is therein fact,
everybody of any Importance whatever in
the neighborhOod has received an invita-
ton, and it is his own fault if he is not
there.
Among the gay throng within is one
couple floating along together, the beating
of their hearts appearing to keep time with
the pleasant strains OF the "Eldorado
Waltz"
They are scarcely conscious of anything
but the bliss of the moment, till the music
stops with a grand crash. TIT girl is
slight and fair, of about one and twenty
years of age, with soft, hazel eyes and
light brown hair. Her complexion is pale,
and her delicate features are sufficiently
regular to be called handsome. Her dress
Is of pure white, her only ornament q small
gold chain and locket, but she needs no
adventurous aid to enhance her charms.
Her partner is a tall, slight youth, about
two years her senior. His erect bearing
proclaims the soldier and truly, for he is
Lieutenant Egremont of the Eighty-sev-
enth dragons.
They withdraw to a recess. 1t is five
years since they were last together. He
can hardly bring himself to identify this
beautiful woman by his side with the mer-
ry little playmate of former days. Mutual
inquiries respecting the past few years are
made and answered. Truly language is
given to conceal thoughts, for the thoughts
of these two young people are far from be-
ing expressed by the words they utter.
"You still wear that locket, Mabl It
gives me hope"
"1think l was foolish to wear it tonight,
Frank" the girl replies, 'tfor I feel sure
hat time has not altered fathers determi-
nation. When he discovered that letters
had passed between us, his anger was
dreadful, and he told me he had absolute
ly forbidden you to write to me. We must
wait and hope"
but it is dreary work, this waiting
and hoping, Nab" And the young SOL
der would fain say more, but the sound
of the music warns them that the lancers
are forming, and they separate to seek
their respective partners.
The father in question presently energies
from the cardroom and soon after departs
with his fair daughter before the two
young people can separate themselves from
the crowd in order to snatch a few min
utes' further conversation.
Mr.. Stuart Brunton sat alone in his study
dy in the mansion on the hill. Rockleigh
Manor it had been called in the years gone
by, when the Norman and consequently
aristocratic D~ynewelles lived within its
massive walls, and the present owner, the
eolliery proprietor, did not deem it neces-
sary to change it's name when his gold
satisfied the creditors of the last of that
noble but impecunious race. 1t sounded
well, and he was a self made man of the
worst type. Besides being in the study
bounded by four walls, Mr.. Brunton was
in a study of another kind, which knows
no material bounds and is generally styled
"brown."
He had no sympathy with the poor. "No
man need remain poor unless he's a fool"
was his frequent remark. His great wish
was to marry his only daughter to aris-
tocracy in the shape of the Hon. Cecil Dun
nington, eldest son of the titled brewer
blue blooded-though the color had only
lately been changed. All had shaped well.
Nab, the young lady who was to ennoble
her house, had never been known to object
to her fathers commands, although she
had some dangerous ideas touching the
condition of the poor. Why, then, the "air
chagrin" of this prosperous and therefore
highly proper man? In a few words-he
wanted money badly. Why this was so we
cannot stop to explain. Suffice it to say
his troubles were connected with South
American finance. Money he must have,
and that shortly.
He simply sat still for half an hour, at
the conclusion of which period he quietly
got up, walked to his escretoire and wrote
a letter to the directing genius of the Col
fery Proprietors' association, whom he adj
dressed as "Dear Mr.. Dangar." The gist
O1 uhS ACOoOk was. LhO ILL lbs AOW Or
rived when a reduction of the mems wages
is imperative. The large amount of coal
on hand and the present low price-5s. 10d.
per ton at pit mouth-render it necessary.
I should advise that the wages be lowered
25 per cent"
He also wrote another letter to the same
individual, whom he this time addressed
as Dear Dangar, " n which concluded
somewhat in this strain: 'If you fail to
work this reduction, you know I will not
scruple to put the screw on you in a way
you can readily understand.
A fortnight from this time a notice was
posted at the Roston Bridge pit and at ev-
cry other pit in the district announcing
that in consequence of the great deprecia-
ton in the value of coal a reduction of 25
per cent on the wages would be made, to
take effect from July s.
On Sunday afternoon, June 25. the Ne
chanics' hall, W, was filled with dele
gates from every pit in the district. They
were met together to determine upon the
course of action they were to pursue with
regard to the reduction. The meeting was
sober and orderly-no trace of anarch-
ism there. An old pitman. whose figure
was warped by the exacting nature of the
work by which he lived, controlled the as