The record-union., 1895-11-30
A STRIKE, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.
Written for the Record-Union by "Len.,l

jovial old chap to his fellow passengers
as he came up the aisle of a car on the
G. N. road.
What do you mean, robbers?" anx-
iously asked one.
No, a strike. We are here for keeps
or till Debs allows as to proceed, >"
answered the first speaker.
rs it any sort of town." questioned
a young fellow, as he craned his neck
out of an open window to get view of
what might be in sight.
Yes, pretty tolerable little place If
you've an business here; but when
hunting it's the reverse" grumbled the
first speaker.
The lVe passengers remaining in this
car were the residue of goodly COM
pany that had left ST. Paul, but who
had quietly dropped off one by one at
their respective destinations en- route.
The car door was opened hastily
anu young lady, tall and fair, with
brown eyes and red-gold hair, came
in. She looked around anXiously at the
five gentlemen, who were all standing
up talking. Are we really detained
by strikers?" she asked the one nearest
her.
That is what has been reported
madame" he answered courteously
removing his hat. But it may not be
as bad as all that. We will know in a
few minutes
I am the only lady passenger, too, -
she said ruefully. 81 wonder if there
is any danger from the mob?"
This last was said rather appealingly,
as if asking protection from the un>
ruly gathering whose voices, now loud,
now angry, could be plainly heard.
L think not" was the answer from
the first speaker.
The five men amongst whom this fair
stranger found herself were like needles
of assorted sizes, and their occupations
were as varied. The oldest, evidently
banker, the next a professor of an
Eastern college, the third a lawyer,
the fourth young merchant and the
fifth young student, bOyish and
merry, with enough of the usual con-
ceit in his looks to make him stroke
his small mustache whenever he saw a
pretty girl
The young lady seated herself near
the window, for egreSS was impossible
at present.
IF 1 can be of any service to you,
pray command me- said the old gen.
tleman first spoken to. And / know,
he added, that all these gentlemen
with myself will certainly aid in pro-
tecting YOU
Indeed, yes" they all spoke at once.
The young lady blushed divinely and
bowed her thanks in such q cordial
way, with an arch, merry glance at
each one, that each felt as if he had
been singled out to protect her till fate
and the strikers divided their paths
again.
If we band together for mutual pro-
lection, we might as well look up no.
tel where we can overlook our situation
and defend our luggage and our lives"
said the professor
They had all agreed to this when the
conductor came in. This train stops at
Strikesville for dinner-and an indef-
mite time" he announced. It's old DebS
at the bottom of this, so don't blame
our road he added. Wed be in a
worse plight if we had been stopped at
Devils Lake or Haree."
More devils there, 1 suppose" said
the student
laughing.
But come" he said, cheerfully, get
out of this. There are hotels handy"
and he helped the one nearest him col
lect his belongings, and then he as
sisted the young lady down the steps
and led her to the nearest bus, la
beled in gorgeous letters, Grand Cen
trail"
The five gentlemen followed as in
duty bound. The conductor grinned as
he said: Are reservoir till we meet
again"
The driver cracked his long whip and
off they went, while the crowd at the
depot yelled themselves hoarse.
The hotel reached the bellboy hast
ened forward and vanished upstairs
with the young lady before they could
register Later five cards were sent up
each bearing the legend, beside the
authors name, Shall l register for
your"
And to each went the courteous an
swer: Thanks, but the clerk has at
tended to it,"
Five different heads bent in assidu-
Gus anxiety over the register in a vain
endeavOr to find out the name of their
fair companion, but no less than eight
ladies had been registered by the clerk
and he was politely stupid as to which
one each man referred to when they as
politely tried to pump him. So each one
named her in his mind. The old banker
called her "A deuced fine-looking young
woman" The professor, AN exceed
ingly beautiful young lady" The law
yer, "A charmingq creature" The
business man, "A regular al beauty"
The student, mo end of an awfully
pretty girl"
Slowly the afternoon wore away till
supper time, occupied by the five men in
taking stock of their situation, and
finding it more serious than they at first
supposed.
The strikers were parading the street
after uncoupling the cars, killing the
engines and prying up the rails so that
ii would be impossible to get a train
out They were a logged, determined
lot of men, with no intention of giving
up till they had their way, or at least,
half of it, as further events showed
After much talk the five passengers
resigned themselves to the inevitable
detention, and then amicably discussed
their fair protege and plans for her
amusement and protection combined.
This resulted in a document-like paper
being sent to her room, setting forth the
fact that the five gentlemen were ready
and anxious to help her tide over the
''unpleasantness' and, if agreeable,
would act as her escort in seeing what
beauties or features of interest the
town afforded. and were respectfully
awaiting her answer in the ladies' par
loT
She appeared in person, dressed in a
charming street costume of golden
brown that matched ner eyes. She
smiled on all alike as she said, Now,
you really are all too kind. / can never
be too grateful to you all for making
my forced stay in this town agreeable.
/ know / shall enjoy a walk after the
close confinement of the cars"
So they started out, one gentleman
on each side of her and three meekly
bringing up the rear as body guard.
This disposal of their persons had
previously and humorously been agreed
upon by them all at the suggestion of
the facetious old banker that they
should take turns walking beside her
two at time. And the fifth fellow
will have a second helping" grumbled