Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-03

like treachery? Think OF the wives and
children of the men, IL not OF the men them
selves; thinkoof those that no one has given
a thought to- all these weeks, the women
workers In the top floor of the works
They've had little strike pay; they have no
vote at the meeting, and they have to suffer
and starye when they are willing to work
Treachery! I'd be traitor thousand times
over to see the works going again"
I'll do it, said Marsten.
The young man had no money to waste on
railway fare, so next morning early he set
his face to the west and trudged along the
Portsmouth road the twelve miles distance
| between London and Surbiton.
AS he walked up the beautifully kept drive
to the Hope mansion he thought he saw the
owner among the trees at the rear, pacing
very dejectedly up and down path Mars
ten hesitated a moment, but finally decided
to apply formally at the front door. The
servant looked at him with evident suspicion
and after learning his business promptly re-
| turned. saying Mr.. Hope could not see him.
The door was shut upon him, but Marsten
| felt sure Mr.. Hope had not been consulted
in the matter, so instead OF going out by
the gate he had entered, he went around the
| house to the plantation beyond and there
| came upon Mr.. Hope, who was much alarmed
| at seeing a stranger suddenly appear before
him.
"I am one Of your workmen, Mr.. Hope
began Marsten by way OF reaSsuring the lit
| tie man; but his words had an entirely oppo-
site effect Mr.. Hope looked wildly to right
and left of him, but seeing no chance OF es-
| cape, resigned himself with deep sign, TO
| dynamite or whatever other shape this par
| ticular workingmans arguments might
| take.
what do you want?" faltered the en-
| poyer at last
81 want this strike to end"
"Oh so do l, so do IT, cried Mr. Hope
| almost in tears.
"Then, Mr.. Hope. won't you allow me to
speak with you for a few moments and
| see If we cannot find some way out OF the
dihlculty?"
Surely. surely" replied the trembling
old man, visibly relieved at finding his
| former employe did not intend to use the
stout stick which he carried in his hand for
the purpose of personal assault.
Let us walk a little further from the
house where wo can talk quietly. Have you
anything to propose?'
"Well, the chief trouble seems to be that
Mr. sartwell will not meet Gibbons"
"Ah, sartwell!' said the old man, as If
whispering to himself. "Sartwell Is
strong mana strong man; difficult to per-
suaGe-dfcult to persuade" Then turning
suddenly, he asked, "You are not Gibbons,
are you?'
mo. my name is Marsten. Gibbons was
the man who tried to speak with you yester-
day at the gates"
The old man shuddered at the recolec-
tion.
There were so many there I did not see
any one distinctly, and it all took place so
suddenly. l don't remember Gibbons. 1t
was dreadful, dreadful
81 hone you were not hurt"
mo, no. Merely a scratch or two. Moth
ing to speak of. Now what can be done
about the strike?
Would you be prepared to grant the re-
quests of the men, II they were to throw over
Gibbons, and send deputation to Mr.. Sart-
well?"
"Oh. willingly. most willingly l don't at
all remember what it is the men want but |
we'll grant 1t; anything to stop this suicidal |
struggle Does Sartwell know you?'
"Yes, sir"
"Of course he does. He knows every one
in the works, by name even. wonderful |
mana wonderful man! I often wish had |
more influence with him. Now, If you |
would go and see Mr. Sartwell-he lives at |
Wimbledon; it's on your way; l asked him
not to go to the works today, so perhaps
you will find him at home-you might
possibly arrange with him about receiving
deputation. Perhaps 1t would be best not
to tell him that you've seen me-.yes, I'm
sure it's best not Then I'll speak to him
about granting the mems demands. I'll put
my foot down; SO will Monkton. Well be
firm with him" The old man glanced
timidly over his shoulder We'll say to
him that we've stood at his back about Glib
bons and now he must settle at once with
the men when they've abandoned Gibbons.
Why will he not see Gibbons, do you know?
Has he a personal dislike to the MANI"
"Oh, no. 1t is matter of principle with
Mr. Sartwell. Gibbons is not one of your
"Ah. yes, yes. remember now. That's
exactly what Sartwell said. Well, I'm very
much obliged to you for coming, and hope
these awful occurrences are at an end
Goodby There's a train in half an hour
that stops at Wimbledon"
Thank you, Mr. Hope, but I'm on foot
today"
BLESS me; it's a long distance and round
about by the road. The train will get you
there in few minutes"
Marsten laughed
81 don't mind walking" he said.
The old man looked at him for a few
"You don't mean to tell me you have
walked all the way from London this morn
ng!"
ITS only twelve or thirteen miles"
Dear, dear dear, dear | see! 1 see
see Yes, Sartwell's right. I'm not very
brilliant man, although l think ones man
ager should not say so before ones part
ner. Come with me to the house for a
~ think should be off now"
mo. no; come with me. won't keep
you long; won't take refusal. I'm going
to put my foot down, as l said. I have had
loo little self-assertion in the past Come
along"
The courageous man led the way toward
his dwelling. keeping the trees between
himself and the house as much as possible
and as long rs he could. He shuIled gin
gorly up the steps at the back of the build
ing letting himself into wide hail. and
then noiseessly entered a square room that
looked out upon the broad lawn and planta-
ion to the rear. The room was lined with
books; solid oak table stood in tile center
lanked by comfortable armchairs. Mr.
Hope rang the bell and held the door slightly
ljar
"Is there any cold meat down stairs,
Susy?" he whispered to the unseen person
through the opening.
"Yes, sir"
well, bring up enough for two; some
pickles, bread and butter and a bit OF
,heese." Then turning to Marsten he asked:
VIII you drink wine or beer?"
"Really Mr.. Hope" said the young man,
his lips and speaking with diff
guilty, I'm not in the least hungry"
Which was not true for the very recital
If the articles of food made him feel so
'ant that he had, to lean against the book
case for support. S
Bring a bottle OF beer, please" whis- ,
1ered the hest softly closing the door
"Sit down, sit down" he said to Marsten.
mot hungry? OF course you're hungry
after such a walk, no matter how hearty
breakfast you took before you left"
While Marsten ate Mr.. Hope said nothing,