Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-06

Maybe he's in Moeeley's." ;" suggest
ed Billy. "He goes there sometimes. or
maybe home.
"He isn't home Did you see that
boy talking TO me at the last place we
stoppedr I sent him TO Macs, and he'd
just got back. Mac hadn't been home.
and he'd sent word he wouldn't be
home to dinner. don't like the way
things look But we can try Moseley's.
No harm in trying. as the burglar said
Of the latchkey."
Moseley kept the corner grocery. he
was summing himself on his store steps,
smoking one Of his own elegant ci-
gars' which he retailed at nickel
apiece.
''Macs'' he said. "Why. certainly. /
seen him not two hours ago He was
driving by with Captain Timberly."
"Much obliged. said Tommy. Har-
ry's jaw dropped.
.Say. they're going to have strike
, at Hollisters." the grocer continued.
while the two young men stood uncer-
tain. al hope not. Strikes a fearful
bad thing for business. fearful. got a
lot Of Hollister men on my books They
are good pay, there amt no better pay
than working people. but when You ain {
got the money where are your
That's right. said Tommy. Good
morning" He looked ut Harry. Harry
was driving very fast.
whats your next mover" said he.
"I'm going to Hollister himself, l"
said Harry. ''McGinnis doesn't mean
to risk his popularity or his job. He
has no more conscience than q saloon
sign. III drop you wherever you say.
and Hunter and will go to Hollister
Il know he's mt the office this morn
ing-and wen talk to him as two hon
est men to third. and we may do
something.
II may not be an honest man. said
Tommy quietly. "but II you let me III
90 with you. / can't help 1t II ! didn't
find Mac. -
Harry gave his friend gleam Of his
blue eyes, which missed fire. however,
for Tommy was scowling at the of
horses head. They drove along the
wide street lined on either side by one
and two story houses, many Of them
freshly painted. all with their little
gardens. The windows in general had
white lace curtains drawn aside. You
could see that families in the Eighth
ward kept a parlor. There were few
people on the streets The plain church
with the cleaning red walls and white
spire that bore aloft the symbol OF sac
rifice and peace sent forth single peal
Of bells. Tommy. half unconsciously.
bent his head and crossed himself. He
looked up and saw the grim walls OF the
great foundry where Hollister meant to
run his own business The smallest OF
the doors opened. through which four
men emerged in huddle One OF them
swung the door half open again for q
parting speech. He was portly man,
still young. with black curls that shone
| in the sun. He wore a dazzling spring
suit of gray flannel and scarlet tie,
and one large white hand swung gold
headed cane
IF there isn't Mac himself" e1-
claimed Tommy And Robb and John
ny Lake with him. gasped Hunter.
The three men looked mp and nodded.
Johnny Mellin bestowed furtive wink
and smile on the sstonished Hunter.
who barely noticed him. for Fitzmau-
rice had asked:
"How about the striket" And the
alderman had answered: "Oh. the
strikes OF. ] guessl Good morning.
Mr.. Losing. While you're talking 10
Mr.. Hollister ! want word with Mr..
Fitzmaurice and Mr. Hunter. ! guess
he and / will agree on this business.
though we don't always. Hey, Mr..
Hunterf"
Billy colored and choked, but he was
spared necessity for reply. since the
| alderman, toward whom he now felt a
veneration similar to that expressed by
the young Russian. had rested one foot
on the hub of the wheel and was ex-
planning the mornings events to Tommy
Fitzmaurice with much relish.
81 heard something down town last
night that made me open my eyes The
idea Of their cooking up such thing
when my back was turnedl Well,
didn't lose no time. ! went straight tc
Hollister and saw how he felt. He knew
l would give him straight goods and
treated me nice. and ! got him to prom.
ise to see the committee, Robb and all. >
He winked the eye farther from Billy
slowly at the young man on the front
seat, and Tommy nodded gravely te
imply that he appreciated how fal
gratifed vanity might work with q
young labor leader. "Then l saw Wig
ger" This time Billy was included il
the wink, and the elbow on the cushion
rail moved hand suggestively in the
molder's direction. ~ guess we all up'
H. -