Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-08
a man touched htn, on the arm,

a man touched htn, on the arm.
steps to open up some new shafts
which had been begun by his father.
This enlarged his force Of men by
500, but the men from De Mott came
over in crowds, and he was not able
to employ fifth part Of them. He knew
that he had made enemies Of the other
owners, and he anticipated a move on
their part to ruin him commercially,
but the longer they held out and re-
fused to open up or grant the Sc q day
Stuart was practically in position to
gain many markets once closed to
him. The demand for ore was grow
ing more imperative. AS It happened
also, the Champion mines were pro-
ducing very superior grade Of ore.
and Stuart could afford to pay the So
in any case, whether the other mines
were worked or not.
AS matter of history, the whole
outcome of the matter was as follows:
The De Mott range did not open up In
full for two weeks. The Cleveland
owners, after doing all in their power
to coerce Stuart, finding that every
day only placed him, owing to the
peculiar condition Of the trade, in a
better position, finally opened up few
mines at 10 per cent rise on previous
wages. This almost led to another
strike and n formation Of the union
again. But the long winter, the long
idleness. so unusual to the men, the
great loss they had sustained. had
their effect, and the DE Mott men be-
gan to go back a few at time. This
led to singular condition Of affairs
In the iron region, never before known.
Nearly 1900 men were receiving 81
day at Champion, while on the lower
range twice as many men were work
ing for $1.9O. +.
At the end of two months, however,
with the opening up of the lake naviga-
ton, ore went up with such bound
that De Mott ranges advanced wages
to So, and the men at last actually re-
ceived, largely through Stuart's firm
ness in holding out the amount they
had originally demanded. But there
was no great demonstration over the
fact. The strike had been too costly.
The suffering Ind left its mark on ev-
cry home. and the men were not In a
condition when the rise In wages final
ly came to spend much enthusiasm
over 1t.
Long before this had come about
Stuart and Rhena had planned for
their new life together.
One day very soon after Champion
mines had opened the two were out
looking at the new cottages going up in
Cornishtown. The work had been
pushed hard, and at last satisfactory
results were being seen. Most of the
houses would be ready for use in q
fortnight. After looking on and direct
ing some special part of the settlement
Stuart asked Rhena to go up the trail
with him to the old stump where he
had first told her he loved her.
When they reached the place, they
turned to look down at the town. It
was winter still. The snow lay deep
in all the valley. The sound Of the
w'orkmen came up to them from Cor
nishtown. The engine stacks were
smoking all over the range All the
ore stock piles were dotted over with
busy moving figures
Stuart said something about the site
being q good one for house.
II don't know but shall put up lit
tie cottage on this stump, and we could
begin housekeeping on modest scale,
like the rest of the people down there.
What do you think of that?"
"But wouldn't we be putting cur.
selves above them to come up herey'
asked Rhena slyly.
! "No; we would simply be In q posi-
ton to see NIL Of them md be better
able to help them In case Of need"
~ don't think the stump is quite
large enough for foundation" said
Rhena very soberly. though she was
very happy. AFTER had opened the
front door would have to 20 outside
to shut 1t again."
i "You are very hard to suit, madam,' Il
replied Stuart. What will you haysl
A palace2 A marble pile7 thought I
Salvation Army lass would be ready t.
put up with almost anything"
"stuart"-Rhena spoke with real Sc