Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-27

fatuGus pettiness Of Gibbons resentment,
who would rather wound and humiliatc a
man he disliked than accept help when 1t
was freely offered.
How different" said Marsten to him
self, lis the conduct Of Sartwel. He has
more cause to detest me than Gibbons has,
yet he asks me TO confer with him. He does
not despisc the smallest card in his hand.
while Gibbons may be throwing away a
trump. If | were mean enough and traitor
enough to the men to refuse to tell what
| may learn. Sartwell, parting with me in
anger halls me on the street, merely be-
cause he thinks he can use me to serve his
employers. That he likes me no better than
he did when | left him is shown by the
sting in his talk, yet he puts down his per
sonal feelings, hoping to win a trick, while
Gibbons. the fool. although in friendly
way, does his sneaking little best TO drive
a man over to the enemy. | wonder what
sartwell wants to discover. I'll tell him
nothing. But what man he is TO tght for
or against
Hold hard, youngster. Where are you
going?" cried the picket at the gate.
I'm going to see Mr.. Sartwell.'
ooh, no, you're not
"Its all right, mate. I've just come from
headquarters. | am going with the commit
tees consent and Gibbons permission.
What's on?" asked the picket in a
whisper, while others OF the strikers
crowded around.
lis the Jig up? Are we going to give
in?"
There's nothing new. I'll know more
when | come out. Perhaps Sartwell has
something 10 propose. We haven't
The men drew back, with n simultaneous
sign that may have indicated relief, or per-
haps disappointment The stearnness of
their resolution to hold out did not increase
under reduced strike pay. Their organi2a-
tion was disintcgrating, rotting. Each man
knew it and was suspicious of his comrades.
The heart had gone out of the fight.
Marsten. crossing the deserted and silent
yard mounted the stairs and raped at the
managers door He found Sartwell alone,
standing at his desk with some papers be-
fore him.
"Now, Marsten," began the manager,
brusquely, turning from his desk, you
think I've asked you here to learn some
thing from you, and you have firmly resolved
to tell me nothing. That's right. ! like
to see a man stick to his colOrs. We save
the ship II we can; If she sinks we go down
with her. You may be surprised, then, to
know that | am not going to ask you a
single question. That will relieve your
mind and enable you to give full attention
TO what | have to tell you. | hope how
ever, that you will keep your word, and re-
member the promise you made me a short
timo since on the street"
what promise?'
Have you lOTSOttGn II. IefnapS you
thought 1t a threat. You said you
would give the men the information you re-
ceiyed | hold you to that. To tell Glib
bons is not necessarily to tell the men. You
said you would let the men know"
II viii repeat your conversation to Glib
bons and the committee"
"Ah that's not what you said Neither
Gibbons nor the committee were mentioned
in our talk this morning"
"As near as can recollect l said would
use what information / received in the in
terests OF the men,"
quite so. | am as anxious about the
mems welfare as you are, and what / have
to say to you must reach them. II you tell
it to Gibbons and the committee, and they
do not pass II on to the men, as they will
take precious good care not to do, | shall
then learn whether you are a man of your
word or not. The strikers meet tonight
at the Salvation hall. If Gibbons does not
inform them what he will then know, shall
eXpect you to stand up in your place and
add TO the enlightenment of the situation.
When you were here last | showed you a
sheet of paper, at the top OF which was
written the resources, for the moment, OF
the union. The remainder of the sheet
was blank but 1t 10 now filled up. 1t shows
the expenditures, week by week, up to the
last payment made to those on strike. II
YOU cast your eye over this sheet, you will
see that the union is now bankrupt"
"If that Is all you have to tell me, Mr..
Sartwell. II is no news The men already
know they are depending on public subscrip-
tons."
"And they still believe in Gibbons as a
leader?"
Yes"
VERY good. Now I come to what is
news-news to you. TO Gibbons, and to the
men. Most OF this money has gone to
loafers from the east end OF London.
had such unlimited confidence In Gibbons
foollshness and in the stupidity OF the com
mittee that | have sent through the gates,
not workmen like you, but such unfortunate
wretches as were out OF work and willing
to absorb strike pay merely on condition
that they would keep theh mouths shut. 1t
never seemed to occur to Gibbons that II
were able to hll up the works with men
transported to our river steps on a steamer,
could either have fed and lodged them
here, or taken them back and forth in the
same way they came. Hs gathered them
into the union with a whoop, which was
vsh I tad m 1n Nt,t Ia