Evening star., 1901-09-28

I haven't done anything" he pleaded. bend
ing his long body before the little spitfire.
Yes, you have!" contemptuously. This,
pursing her red lips, lis a strike and You
have taken the position of striker. Wait
a moment she said, darting into the bed
room. 'Here" holding out a feminine gar.
ment at arms length. Put this on. Do!
There's little dear!'
Charley gazed at the obnoxious garment
with reddening cheeks, then made a dash
at the slighter of his manhood, but only
succeeded in humping his head against the
bed room door. He could hear the walking
delegate of the womans strike laughing
inside.
Come out. Bessr" he called.
''Will you behave?' came the reply
through the keyhole.
Yes, if you'll only come out and let
me look at you,'' replied the non-union
laborer. rubbinb his head.
You'll be good?" reiterated the girl.
Surely"
well, good-byeP' she said. opening the
outer door. II must be going. It's nearly
8, and you haven't got even fire started
yet. You'll catch it!'
Stop moment, Bessv implored the
boy. Say a bright idea striking him,
II want to join the union
That's a good boy!" The girl waltzed
round the kitchen and brought up right
''Do!' suggested Charley, bending his
curly head.
help you to pick UP the pieces"
"D-n the Oh. I beg pardon. I
the strike on one condition"
What is that?"
He leaned forward and whispered In her
ear. She opened her mouth to laugh. but
caught the earnest look in his eyes and
blushed and hung her head.
You don't mean it," she answered, play
ing with the ribbons in the bosom of her
dress. What would your folks in England
say?"
Charley captured the f1uttering hands and
drew her toward him, and commenced to
say some uncomplimentary things about
the folks in England, but she placed her
hand over his mouth and stopped the sac
rilege.
Don't talk that way of my future re-
lations, she said archly.
Then you will, Bess?'
She was about to reply when the toot
Of the whistle and the hungry yell of a
score of threshers interrupted her words.
Hastily tiptoeing she kissed him on the
lips, and had just time to seat herself se-
dately in Dave Shocks chair, when the
door opened and the threshers walked in
speaking to Charley, but staring at his
daughter.
Get your own support" replied the boy.
I've Joined the strike"
You hain't got no organ a-comtng?'
said Ed. Brady, the thresher.
Strikes sympathetic" laconicaIly an
swered Charley.
Don't blame yerr' said Ed with a know
ing glance at the blushing girl. Send me
piece of the cake Guess there's no sup
per here. boysi I'm agoin ter drive home.
Who's fer my way?'
She'll ket oot o. herer' roared Dave.
after the threshers had departed. "An'
TAX the meddln' hissy VII herv'
"All right, Mr.. Mcdonald" replied the
boy, but don't forget to send back the
last quarters premium to the agent. Dish
washing Is not colonial farming, You know
Old Dave WINGED beneath this Parthian
shaft To lose money was bad; but TO
| lose both money and free labor was agony.
| Yet he stuck to his mandate and pointed
sternly TO the door.
J Shell peter pc gettin' supper" he said
turning to Percy White, 'an hersei wul
| do ia chores"
Guess notr' replied Percy. "Count me
| In this strike, Charley. Wait minute
nntn hitch up my pony and I'll drive Miss
Yer pigs is lookin' remarkable wellr'
| Ed Brady leaned over the sty and punch
! ed fat sow in the ribs. He was out col
| lecting and many years experience of the
| ways OF the Zorra Scot had taught hin,
| that when you have designs on a man ;
pocket 1t Is always wise to get him in a
good humor. But this time his compliment
| did not produce the desired effect. The
Dave Shocks swine had luxuriated In the
| delights OF unskimmed milk
| she should pc fati" growled Dave, glow
ering at q Berkshire barrow as though he
| were responsible for all the waste .sfhety
tays an no a pound o. putter ia market.
ton. An all. he added, rumpling his fiery