Evening star., 1896-12-26
Written for The Evening Star.

CONTINUED from last Saturdays Starr
Chapter NJ.
Sartwell showed little sign Of the wear
and tear of the struggle. He walked from
the station to his office every morning at
his usual hour. as IL everything were going
on to his entire satisfaction. He was al
ways dressed with scrupulous neatness,
and he invariably carried in his hand
trinity folded umbrella, which no one had
ever seen him undo, for when 1t rained he
took a cab. The umbrella seemed a part of
him, and a purely ornamental part: he was
never met on the street without 1t. No man
could say when Sartwell purchased new
suit of clothes; each suit was precisely the
same as the one which had preceded 1t, and
1t was always put on before its predecessor
began to show signs of wear.
There was as little change In Sartwe1rs
demeanor toward his men there was in
his clothes. He did not keep his eyes on
the ground as he passed along the street
TO the gates. nor was there. on the other
hand. any bellgerency in his manner. The
men had gone out; that was their affair.
He nodded to them, or babe them curt
Good morning" as had been his habit be-
fore the trouble. Few Of them had the
presence of mind to do otherwise than raise
their fingers to their caps. or answer, with
the customary humble, "Mornin'. sir"
Habit is strong In the human animal, as
has often been pointed out.
No one of all those concerned was more
anxious for the strike to end than Sartwell.
but none the less was he determined that 1t
should end his way. He saw the openings
in his armor through which, with blind
ness not understandable to the manager,
Gibbons neglected to thrust.
rf<x ft not hh0y,c hot
Sartwell feared in this contest, but Mar
stem. He knew the young man had been
strongly against the strike, but he also
knew that he had thrown in his lot with
the men; and although the leaders of the
strike, up to that time. had held aloof from
Marsten. pretending to look upon him as
covert traitor to the cause. still SartWeil
feared they might take him into their coun-
sells at last and that he would show them
the way out of their difficulties. The man
ager had made 1t his business to learn all
he could of what was done by his oppo-
nents. and he had been amazingly success
full He knew of Marsten's visit to Barney
and of the generally futile result of that
conference: but he had so slight conf
dence in Barney's good sense that he fear
ed some hint might have been dropped by
the artist which would show the men how
anxious Monkton & Hope were for set
tlement on almost any terms. AS time
passed, and Sartwell saw that Gibbons still
held Marsten at arms length, he became
less and less anxious. Affairs were rapidly
approaching a crisis when Marsten's aid
would be useless
A few days after the announcement Of
the reduction In strike pay had been made
Sartwen. approaching the gates In the
morning, saw Marsten standing alone at
the street corner. The manager had al
most passed him without greeting on either
side. when the elder man suddenly stopped.
turned half around. and said sharply:
.'On picket duty, Marsten?''
NO. Mr.. Sartwell.'
Not III their confidence, perhaps"
Il suppose / am neither in their conf
dence nor In yours, Mr.. Sartwen."
Rather uncomfortable position. Is 1t
not? / should like to be one thing or the
other II 1 were in your place, Marsten."
Il am one thing. / am entirely with the
men,
Perhaps in that case you are afraid to
be seen talking with me. Some of the men
mignr happen to pass this way"
Il am not afraid to be seen speaking
with anybody. Mr.. Sartwell.'
..Ah, you are young; therefore you are
brave. 1 have known a smaller thing than
this conversation to cost man his life, but
perhaps times and methods have changed
since my early days. II is pity you are
on the wrong side for your bravery to be
appreciated. The masters of this world al
ways value talent and courage and pay
well for them The men do neither. That
is why they are usually beaten in a fight.
and iI is one of the many reasons why they
should be- / have few words to say TO
for a private conversation; will you come to
my Office in an hours time?"
DO you wish to speak about the striker"
Yes" said Sartwell, looking with some
irte1tness at the young man. I'VE have
no other subject of mutual interest that
know Of"
Very good. I merely asked. because
whatever you may have to tell me 1 shall
use in the interests of the men,
Sartwel shrugged his shoulders.
You are quite welcome" he said "to
make what use you please of the informa-
ton / shall give you. i am well aware that
your advice is In demand by the men and
their leaders,
The elder man walked briskly on; the
younger Redeemed at the covert sneer in
his last remark.
My God he said to himself angrily 'I
would like to fight that man."
Marsten turned and walked rapidly to the
strike headquarters. There he found Glib
bons and the committee in consultation,
while few of the men lounged about the
place The talk ceased as Marsten entered
the room. the committee and its chairman
locking ioTeringly at him.
What do you want?' asked Gibbons,
shortly.
Il met Mr.. SartweIl a moment ago in the
street. and ne said he had something to tell
me about the strike. He asked me to call