Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-18

] restless mob of men who were deprived of their regular leader. T advise you to go to your homes in quiet. Tomor- row we will investigate the burning of | the engine house and the injury to Eric.''
 Whats the matter with tonight :'' | called out another man. The voice was calm and clear
 l 'Eely well,'' replied Stuart with en- ergy, thinking in moment the rest lessness of the men might be safely diverted into another channel. 1t is my opinion that the men who burned the engine house overpowered the men at the top antl have them somewhere in hiding at this moment. Are any of l the Davis mine men here?"
 The miners, familiar with every face in the Champion mines, answered in many places:
 Not q man"'
 ''Nobody's seen Davis men since the shaft was fired?"
 Mir. Duncan's hit it. He's bright one.'
 Now, then, men, if I'm right about it the men are in hiding with the Davis crew. They can't be far off,
 'Well find 'em," yelled more than one voice.
 Hold. Wait minuter' cried Stuart as the men began to move again. II want you to give me your word that if the men are found you will not at tempt to punish them yourselves. They have been guilty of breaking the law. Let the law deal with them. You have commended your cause to the world so far by youc conduct. The minute you resort to violence of any kind public sympathy will vanish. Give me your l word now that you will hand these men over to the authorities if shey are | found.'
 There was pause, and then from different ones came the response: We promise. Aye, we's give the word" Stuart felt satisfied, although there were several lawless men under the in tiueEce of drink who had not respond ed. The men moved off the lawn, and Stuart and the doctor and Mir Burke 1 saw the larger part of them go directly up the hill toward the smoldering ruins of the engine house. The rest stra ggled off down into town.
 ''There will be trouble in this town tonight" said the doctor. He went in to see Erie again. and Stuart and the minister remained in the hall. They talked together d little while and Stu art was expressing his fears of the out come when his telephone rang.
 He went to iL and conversed q mo- ment. Then turning to MT. Burke he said. Do you feel able to go out this evening"" a
 "Ies, 1 am lame little and 1 do Tot look very presentable, but I feel able as far as that goes.'
 Stuart went to the hall closet and brought out an overcoat for Mir. Burke. He then put on his own. saying as he did so, i've just had message from the Iron Cliffs company that the min CTS are gathering in q great mob down in the square. and they think I had bet ter come down and use my influence to prevent an outbreak
 Do you feel able!'
 "Yes. l guess so. I'm sore and lame, that's fact, but no bones broken, and it seems q case of duty. The doctor will stay with Eric.''
 He will eh.'' said the doctor. who just then came out of the room behind Stuart. You're as much in need of watching as Eric Take off that over. coat and go lip stairs to bed"'
 Now. doctor.' replied Stuart with sad smile, - don't like 10 say I won't. but shall say 1t this time. l feel as if I ought to go down to the square. There is going 10 be q bad nights work, I'm afraid. but not without q protest from Mir Burke and myself.
 "All right, go your ways. And ii you get your heads broken don't send for Ine to glue tie pieces together again
 The. doctor went back to Erie, and Stuart, after sending word that he and Mir Burke would be right down and after ordering the servants To bring around horse and buggy, drove hur- riedly away.
 A; they sped down the hill they pass ed several groups of miners swinging along the road lt q smart foot pace Bur when they reached the square there was so large q crowd gathered, overtlowing into the streets, that Stu- art drove around into one of the al- leys and hitched his horse near the church at the rear. He and Burke then came out into the space bounded by the church and the railroad depot plat- form.
 The miners had not been in the habit of assembling at night. All their meet ings up to this time had been at noon. Their present gathering was q new development Of the strike, and as Stu- art and the minister crowded in at the corner by the church they both said to themselves that there were elements of q very dangerous character compressed into that spot. the commercial and soc cial center of the town.
 Tn the first place, there was an un- usually large number of drunken men in the mob. It was growing noisier every minute. The band stand was crowded with miners. Two of them were trying to speak at the same time on opposite sides of the stand, and the confusion was doubled by their at- tempt. The mob of men swayed rest- lessly about the stand. which was lighted by an electric hanging lamp. The square was almost as light as in the daytime. Out on side track of the railroad which skirted one side of