Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-02-06
and guess Robb knows It's better
sometimes to settle strike than to let

and guess Robb knows It's better
sometimes to settle strike than to let
her flicker.
.sHe's after reputation a. . peace
maker with honor now. but we got to
hustle this afternoon. all Of Ms. and git
our men together. and then Robb will
give 'em taffy. and Hollister has prom
ised q little bit, and wen have the
meeting and settle this strike hat
Sect"
They were all three (for Billy was
Aattered deeply by the way the alder
man asked his opinion on subjects OF
which he knew a good deal) discussing
how to see the most men and do the
most in the shortest time when Harry
Losing returned. Some Of HOLSTERS
speeches were sticking in his brain.
"Look here. Losing. Y0u may say
what you please. that Irishman has got
something more than Doodle in him.
This was one Of them. ''The way he
managed those fellows and the way he
managed me was immense. and I'm
hanged IL / don't believe he was disin-
terested in the affair. He'll get knitted
by Timberly for his meddling'-a true
prediction-"and I don't see that he
stands to gain thing except the con-
sciousuess that he's been decent"
With these words puxzling him Harry
went straight at the fence.
81 wasn't sure how you would feel,
Mr.. McGinnis," says he.
"You ever seen q big strike. young
mani"
eyes; I know what II is"
"Well. now. take it in. This Is the
ward that represent to the best OF my
humble ability. As long as I'm repre-
senting II go for what will help and
for-against what will hurt it, every
time. Look at those fellers. They could
not win that strike HOLSTERS hard
some ways and desperately aggeravat-
ing. but he's honest. and he does good
many fair things Strikers have got to
have q bowling grievance to win the
public sympathy. and they amt got it.
They couldn't git sympathy or contri-
buttons or pressure or nothing. Then
what would happen, A strike is the
devil. II stirs up bad blood all over. II
amt only losing the wages There's
the hard feelings. and the boys idling
on the streets and drinking. and the
fights, and the women crying at home.
and the storekeepers losing money. and
the little bits of furniture going TO the
auction room. and quarrels between
friends. It's the very devill'
"But Timberlyr" Tommy said this
"Timberly be hanged" said the al
derman. with deliberation.
"You haven't broken with Timf
cried Tommy.
81 Just have. then. said the alder
man. Between Mike McGinnis Citing
an Office, no matter how good. and the
Eighth ward going without meat for
supper and having to sell its cabinet
organs and sewing machines and losing
the little houses that amt quite paid
for, the Office amt in it, That's all
got to say"
GOOD leather'' shouted Tommy
and he wrung the alderman's hand
Billy. blushing violently. held ont his
own. "You talk Gods truth, alder
man." cried he. "and IL you'll run for
anything, from president down, I'll
feel honored to work for you. and Mr..
Z ,a.ira ,ap't htoypa yua -
Harry laughed and said something
about being glad to work with McGin-
mis- that day himself and paid him Q
neat compliment with an ingenious
flush on his own young cheeks. Then,
In turn. he held ont his hand.
"Oh. that's all right, said McGin-
mis-. looking rather surprised 1t was
several years before he understood en-
tirely all that simple gesture meant
from young Losing well. see Fa-
ther Mahan down the street and must
git him after the boys See you later.
gentlemen.
Billy's eyes followed him across the
macadam. Hes q good mani" sighed
Billy from the depths Of q grateful
heart
~ think myself the recording angel
can afford to do considerable blotting
for Michael McGinnis on account Of
this days work. says Harry. HE has
a conscience, after all And, Tom, I've
been thinking this morning. ] begin to
see why Mac is 30 popular. II We fel-
lows would study some Of the machine
methods without dropping any Of our
principles. we mightn't find election
such blamed cold day"
Tommy did not return the expected
smile. "I've been thinking. too, said
Thomas Fitzmaurice. ''if it's right for
him to sacrifice his own interests and
risk his popularity for the good Of the
ward, why isn't 1t right to do as much
and sacrifice the interests Of the ward.
too. If necessary. for the good Of the
whole town."
But that's municipal good govern
ment. That's reform"
''Oh, Lordl / guess III have to go
for It'll" groaned Tommy.
And thus in one Sunday morning did
Alderman Michael McGinnis lose good
Office. avert a strike and unconsciously
plant the seed that was to convert the
brightest Of his machine politicians
sloWly, but surely, into Q reformer.