The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-05-26
ARE YOU MAD! BOY ?"

uec1dleu Layton throwing himself be-
tween Mark and the frail shutter.
Stand aside, Dayton!" commanded
Mark 'Stand back, while 1 speak to
them"
NO, I say!" shouted Dayton. But
Mark thrust him aside and flung open
the shutter, boldly facing the infuriat-
cd crowd. Perhaps it was the sudden
ness OF his action, perhaps the leveled
revolver he held in his hand, but some
thing made them pause an instant in
their rush, and Mark seized the in
slant. ST..
Come, be fair to yourselves!", he
said, 'sternly. What do you want?"
You know what we want!" came
from the crowd. Honest wages, that's
what"
> We'll, boys, didn't pay you as long
as had a dollar?''
Yes; but we can't live on that noW!"
.@ Il know you can't. See here; II hate
this thing as bad as you do. Why
don't you give me chance?" s%
"You had all the chance you want!"
groWled surly fellow close to the
window.
NO, l have not. swear to you all
that, if you will stand by me only
tWenty-four hours more you shall be
more than paid! Come, I'll go down
and work by the side Of the strongest
OF you with my own hands, What do
you say" -.
There seemed signs CT relenting
among some of the men, and they drew
into knots to talk. -. : S.,
THAT seems fair enough, boys. Shall
we try him one more hitch?" asked, one
of the older men. =. r. 800
."Yes! yes!" came from two or three
more, but they were drowned out by
the rest.
mo, no! it's black lie!" He knows
there's no ore in Unchanged old hole!
He wants time to run away! No more
fooling! Money! money! or out with
the scoundrel! Come on, boys! Now's
the chance! ~ y. -~s
They made desperate rush toward
the window. Mark was hurled with all
the strength of Dayton's arm over
against the silent engine, and the win
dow was slammed in their faces.
Are you mad, boy?" demanded Day
ton. Don't you know you haven't the
ghost of chance out there?"
Il have not a chance anyhow" said
Mark, recovering his breath. "How
long will it take them to tear this shed
down, think your" MI.
They shall pay with some of their
worthless lives, at least!" Kissed the
faithful foreman. VI
He sat down on an empty key. and
with cooked weapons they waited the
onset q: %.H-e r
It did not come. @4
They heard shout, then cry,
which had the sound of a woman's
voice, and then calm fell on the angry
crowd. Only the tones Of earnest
speech reached the strained ears in the
house.
What deviltry are they planning
now?" breathed Mark, listening more
intently.
Cant tell. Fire., maybe. Keep
ready for anything, . answered Dayton,
in the same low. intense tone.
but they We're not ready for what
happened.
a cheer went ringing up from the
men, hearty 'Hurrah!" and then the
door OF the shaft-house was violently
ratified, and some one outside cried:
Mark! Mark! open the door! It is
all right now! Open, quick!' &. i
Good Lord!'' CALCULATED Dayton.
Great heaven! Sue 4" gasped Mark,
He darted to the door. and rapidly
threw off the bars. Dayton flung the
door wide. and Major Redmond and
Sue came in. while the miners stood
quietly back, without offering to pre-
vent their entrance. or to follow in
themselves. # ri
In Gods name. what does this
mean?" cried Mark. as she clung to