The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-04-25

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weeks In a condition bordering on dis
solution. Eric had found that out some
time before he was confronted with
the fact Of his own loss Of power. He
knew that the end was very near. The
entire effect Of the evenings event SO
far tended to break down what remain.
ed of the union. Stuart could see the
end coming. He sat back against the
wall, forgotten by the leaders and
their men as the talk went on. There
were several fiery appeals for carrying
out the original plans Of destroying the
mines. The crowd swayed all over the
room as one and another from the floor
as we'll as from the platform spoke. Fl.
nally the end came In rush. \ great.
shanibling figure, no less than our old
friend Sanders, who had been charged
by the doctor with getting cod liver oil
from the dispensary wherewith to
grease his boots, rose and in voice
that in spite Of Its being perforated
with spasmodlc coughs was easily
heard made motion that the strike be
declared of.
A pandemonium started In with the
debate OH this motion. The crowd out.
side caught the news, and II maddened
the mob. There was great rush for
the hall entrance. The chairman final
ly put the motion as yells Of "Ques-
ton" Question:" rose on every side
and it carried by two-thirds vote.
Instantly the men in the hall started
| to rush into the street and were met ut
the hall entrance by the yelling crowd
trying to get in. For several minutes
there was tremendous struggle, but
gradually the crowd outside as 1t learn
ed Of the action Of the union leaders.
| gave way, and when one Of the most
prominent men In the De Mott range
put the question. standing on the steps
Of the courthouse at the corner, the ma
jority Of the voices yelled Aye" to
the question declaring the strike off.
| There was no accounting for this to
Stuart's mind except by the fact that
all along the men had grown more and
more tired Of the strike and had really
been waiting for some one to make the
break. Then they followed like sheep.
/ and in less than ten minutes the union
was past history.
| A few Of the disaffected men that
night intIamed with drink and mad at
the close Of the strike. went up to the
Queen mine, determined to pull up the
pumps and destroy us much as posi-
bic, but the troops had already antici-
pated such an attempt and In skir-
mish with the miners drove them back,
no one, however. being killed and only
q few heads broken with clubs and ore
missiles. Stuart did not know Of this
until the next day. and the doctor help
ed mend the broken heads. grumbling
as he did so and declaring with each
new case that 1t was positively the
very last he would attend.
Stuart came out into the street feel.
ing that his part Of the evenings work
had been very Insignificant. He had.
in fact, been almost ignored in the ex-
element and had sat silent spectator
Of the affair. He was calm enough to
realize that the doctors abrupt state
ment. combined with the great love the
miners had for him, had a great deal
to do with the way the matters were
being shaped. The crowd still remained
in the streets. but It was broken up in
to groups, discussing the situation and
wondering what the owners would do
now.
Stuart was standing by the doctors
cutter. waiting for him to return, when
man touched him on the arm. He
turned. and there stood Eric. He had
run nearly all the way from Champion
but Stuart did not know that.
Eric" cried Stuart.
II got here just in time to be Of nc
use." said Eric gloomily. Then he add
ed. with more feeling, "YOu are moi
hurtT
mo. There has been no disturbance
You've heard that the strike Is declared
of? How did you come over"
"Yes, heard the news quick enough
came on foot. will never trust a
crowd again. l thought l knew these
men. l would have sworn nothing
could prevent their pulling up the
pumps tonight That shows how little
have really known them"
I'VE thank the doctor for the way
things have turned. You never heard
such a talk as he gave the men,"
mo, and you never will again." said
the doctor as he came up and began to
unite Ajax. 1T was my first and will
be my last on the stage. l wouldn't
have gone up this time only wanted
to tell the good for nothing lot Of them
what fools they are. seldom have
such a chance to say so to as large q
number Of them at once. Come on
Going back to Champion with me
StuartY
"Wait a minute, doctor" cried Stuart
He drew Eric OF one side. Eric, you
: came over on purpose to share the
danger with me. know what II
means" Eric did not answer. "Yor
are not feeling the injustice Of the mer
toward you. Don't let 1t make yor
bitter. The cause is the same" Still
Eric was silent. won't you go bach
III o