The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-02-15
CHAPTER x



from battle and murder and from sudden
DEATH says the grand old Litany,
Good Lord. deliver us" and assuredly,
II the inspired sage who wrote these
words had lived In the latter days. 10
would have added: "And from strikes
and walking delegates" for humanity
confronts no evil more appalling than
the pitiless edict which goes forth that
the brcadwinner shall not toll, and his
women and children shall be martyrs TO
the Great Cause OF Labor versus Capital.
Down In the dust fall the devotees Of
reform and the juggernantic car Of
demagogism brushes them TO powder
Only one little month OF four weeks
has elapsed since the shadow Of evil
fell upon the shipyards, and see what
changes IL has wrought. Mems very
natures seem twisted from their normal
beings from the passions which stir
within them.
And poor Joe Hendcrson--Ha rland's
young friend, who had just carried him
the evil tidings--as honest young fell
low as ever welded an adze, was one
of the first victims Of the nnreasoning
hatred Of withdrawing everything,
even 20 Alice Palmer's love, for the
bright "saleslady" was bctrothed TO
him
The shipbuilders, driven to exaspera-
ton by the unreasonable demands of
the union on Moore a Marston, had
voted general lockout and two
thousand heads Of families in the city
of Chicago were out Of employment.
Men gathered at the street corners,
crowded the great labor halls, paraded
with bands and flags, or cheercd In
mass meetings Schlossinger's fierce de-
nunciations OF the bloated bond
holders.
Meanwhile supplies from the labor
league were served with tolerahle reg
ulnrity, and all felt that right must
triumph over might
Two months passed, and the subsidies
from the central committee became
less frequent. Still the masters stood
firm; the men solid. Then went the
startling whisper abroad that one hun
dred French Canadian skilled rnechan-
les had been hired Ia the place of the
strikers, and that work would be re-
sumed, under protection of big patrols
OF police, at Moore a Marston's yard
on the following Monday.
Meanwhile how Jared IL with the
Hnrlands? But badly. The insurance
policy has lapsed, the rpholstcrcr has
taken away the parlor furniture, though
IL was nearly paid for, the sewing ma
chine has been rcplevied. and Nellie's
pretty volumes have been seized under
"cutthroat contract" by the book agent
them. but of bare subsistence.
An empty Cupboard IL Is difficult
for one living in this land of plenty
TO realize what that means-what II
means TO see ones loved ones In want
and lack the means OF relieving them.
In vain Alice Palmer humbly APP
prsiird 10 Gohcn Tor unemployment; the
strike had hurt business, she was told.
and she was not wanted.
Grey meanwhile was busy. He had
spoken at one or two meetings and per-
hnps had done more harm TO the cause
OF order than Schlossingcr could ac-
complish in his widest flights OF bla-
tant fury, for this young enthusiast
brought forward batteries OF strong nr-
gument that appealed TO the reason
rather thnn the emotion of men and
made him converts of the cooler,
steadier'hands, who had but laughed at
their comrades frenzics. Grey was in
tense, earnest, ready TO lay down his
life for the cause.
Now, when the Monday morning
t..l.
Moore q Marston's yard would be In
"full blast" again, George IIarland,
who had oil along declared that no
union In free country should stop him
from working when work was to be
got. started from his home with his
dinner pail In his hand.
do not be fool; you are rislxing
your life" had been Greys advice, net
tied az the obstinncy Of the man who
would not acknowledge that the few
must suffer for the benefit Of the many.
"Do not go." Alice cried, clinging
tearfully on his arm.
'Pshaw, grill" he replied roughly.
81 never drew n cent Of the unions
money, and I've always declared that
would take the first job that came
along. No man shall dictate TO me
whether work or lie idle"
So George Hnrland went TO his doom.
The day passed wcarily for the
women. Night came on, and with
hcart-beatlng anxiety they waited the
coming OF the breadwinner. George
Is late" Nell said. nervously; ~ do
wish he would come.
"Oh. lac will bc hero before long, Alice
replied. with assumed chccrfulness
"lInrlxl" tho young wife screamed rs
she Few TO the door: What Is that
noise In the strcct?"
Grey. attracted by the tumult, few
downstairs and joined the trembling
women.
What a sight met their gael Their
George-thc idol Of this humble home
with blood-staincd face and torn clothes
swinging his ax over his head and
battling for his life against o hundred
fierce nssailnnts. In vain dozen POI