Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-02-20

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Louise asked questions about the &C.
cident. Stuart answered, feeling all
the time that everybody about him
had changed since that Light had
dawned upon him. Even Louise could
see and feel a difference. although she
could not tell what it was. Finally
she stopped in her questions about
the mines and said:
What is the matter with you, Stu
art? What has happened? Are you
i'll from the effects of your exposure
Yesterday
Stuart looked across the table at her,
and 1t was several moments before he
replied. Then he said: II will tell you,
dear. when we are alone. l want time
to think. No; am not Ill. l feel bet
ter than have in long time"
Louise looked surprised, but she ask
ed nothing more and went on to tell
about the gathering at the Vasplaines'
the evening before. Stuart listened
thoughtfully. now, and then putting
question, and at last Louise came back
to the subject Of the miners.
"Now that troops have been ordered,
suppose the strike will end, won't it?''
81 don't know. ,!Iaybe 1t will just
begin"
But don't you intend to get new men
in? All the mines in the lower range
are bringing in new men today. 1t is
an outrage for the men to prevent 9th
ers from working"
There will be trouble, am afraid,
before the day is over" replied Stuart.
He faced most serious problem, and
he found his heart crying out for wis
dom from the divine source he was be-
ginning to know.
swell, don't understand you, Stu
art. If father was alive, he would have
900 men here In Champion ready to
go to work this morning instead of
! waiting for the other men to accept
| terms he had made only to have them
foolishly rejected. If they won't work
on their own terms, which you say you
offered them, how can they blame you
| if you get new men in and protect them
by law? If l were man, ! would
teach those men lesson. Look at the
way they have treated you and Eric.
| They
Louise looked prettier than ever as
she stamped her foot under the table.
Stuart sat silent and sober. Just then
the telephone rang. lie went over and
after few moments came in to tell
Louise he would have to go down to
the Iron CLIFFS office. Word had been
sent up that he was needed.
Aunt Royal is coming in on the noon
train, Stuart, you remember. Shall l
drive down and get herr"
"Yes, dear. don't know how the
mornings business will occupy me. I
wish you would see to her." Stuart
leaned over Louise as she sat at the
table and kissed her again.
"And do have some sense about this
strlke business. Get new men in. What
lean you do If all the other owners
start up again?"
"I'll do the best thing" replied Stu
art gently. He went into Eric's room a
minute.
pm sorry to leave you, Eric" he
said affectionately.
Eric groaned: ITO think of my lying
here of all times in my life! Stuart,
must get up and go with you. The
men,
Eric tried to raise himself, but fell
back with cry of pain. The sweat
stood out on his forehead in large
drops, He clinched his hands and his
teeth in q sort of rage that was no
only terrible to see, but pitiful.
AS Stuart stood by him there was ;
great feeling Of compassion in hi
heart for him. Eric, you will have t
be patient. After all, the men hav,
not broken over the law yet. With thu
exception of the men who fired the en-
CINE house believe the most of then
nre minded to be law abiding
Mot If they get to drinking" replied
Eric, with spasm of pain crossing hi
face. .They are devils when the,
drink. Curse the saloons! They vii
be the ruin Of our cause yet. You wi
do all you can, Stuart, to hold the me
in check? The troops are coming i
today and the new men. o God, if
was only with my men today believ
could control them.'
Yes, yes Eric. I'll do my best. AT
err all, are we not In the hands Of on
who knows the end from the begil
ning?'
Eric stared at Stuart in astonisl
ment.
Stuart continued as he leaned Owe
the bed: Eric, the light has shor
upon me. God has spoken to me.
am Christian. 1t has all come to n
suddenly"
Eric was too bewildered to unde
stand all that was meant by Stuart
confession. He feebly returned ST
arts hand grasp.
Stuart added simply. 81 will tell yo
more when get back" Then after
9IRalZ II