Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-02-27

a tray from another room and SET II
down on the table near Stuart. Then
he noticed the look on Stuart's face,
and his whole manner. underwent a
tswift and remarkable change. He look
ed and spoke like the strong, deep, true
man that he really was in spite Of his
'rocks and roses"
"Mr. Duncan, you did not come here
to talk botany or geology, did your"
ITO tell the truth, did not. Mr..
Burke"
"What is it?" asked Andrew Burke,
leaning forward and putting hand on
Stuart's arm.
1t was q simple question simply put.
But 1t revealed so strong and genuine
a desire to know and sympathize with
him that before Stuart knew 1t he was
telling his experience of the morning.
The tea rose odor of the plants in the
window and ON the table filled the
room. and Andrew Burke listened with
kindling eye and long drawn breath.
''Thank God! Thank God" he was say
Ing as Stuart went on. When Stuart
finally paused. Andrew said. Cant we
have little prayer of thanksgiving
over this right here as we sta"
Eyes. yes" replied Stuart gladly.
Before Andrew Burke was through
with his prayer Stuart was sobbing. 1t
was the first real touch of Christian
sympathy he had ever known. 1t was
wonderful to him. though, to think that
he was now linked in sympathetic
knowledge with every other disciple.
In the next few moments Of question
and answer he experienced one of the
rarest and sweetest joys Of his life.
1t was not shock to anything to find
himself at last talking over the strike
and its problems with Burke. After
all, was that not a part of life, and
was not all of 1t henceforth to be lived
to the glory of God7
He was relieved to have Burke agree
with his decision as to wages.
MY sympathies are with the work
men, Mr.. Duncan. In fact was born
on farm and raised in factory. I'll
tell you about 1t some time"
Il am going to make request" said
Stuart, with smile. do you think
man who saves another mans life
ought to call him mister very longT
What shall say?"
Stuart is not hard name to pro-
nounce, is it?''
mo harder than Andrew"
Its bargain then. No more mis-.
:ers.'"
"Eh, but this is sudden, young man,"
replied Andrew Burke, rising and COM
ing over nearer Stuart. I'm ten years
your senior, and you need my advice.
It's bargain, yes"
The two men shook hands again and
thoroughly understood each other. 1t
was the Christian fellowship that made
such swift friendship possible. On any
other basis these two men would have
saved each the life Of the other every
day and Mustered" each other to
gray old age.
But events in the outer world were
hurrying on fast, and Stuart could not
avoid feeling Of anxiety concerning
the train due at noon with the new
men and the troops. Already the min
ers were gathering in the square. Look
ing out Of the hotel window, the two
men could see that the miners were
excited and that the gathering was
massing about the depot rather than
around the band stand.
II believe l will go down, and IL there
is any trouble will do all in my power
to prevent Violence" said Stuart.
"Let me 60 with you," replied An
drew Burke.
So 1t happened that these two stood
close by the depot when the noon train
came in and saw the whole scene,
which no man present that day ever
forgot.
The train came In slowly, and the
miners watched it in sullen silence.
The nrst two coaches were filled with
troops. The rest of the cars, six in all,
contained the new men.
1t was not known until long after
ward Just how the events of that day
were planned and carried out, but be-
fore the engineer or fireman could offer
any resistance, even If they had
thought of such q thing, they were
pulled down out Of the cab and in q
twinkling the tender was uncoupled
from the coaches and two Of the min
ers who understood the working Of the
engine started it forward and switched
1t OF the main track upon one of the
tracks built by the side of the ore
shoots.
Meanwhile the miners at the rear Of
the train began to call out to the men
in the coaches to get out and show
themselves.
1--WE wants to see the brave men who
have come up to take bread out Of
us mouths!' "Show yourselves! Come
out and have taste of club!
While this was going on at the rear
the officer Of the troops, seeing what
had happened to the engine, promptly
ordered his men out Of the coaches and
formed across the track and by the side
of the rear coaches to defend the men
within.
The commanding officer was young
man Of handsome appearance, and he
seemed cool and determined. AS the
troops took their position the crowd
gave back little. leaving a space of
perhaps 20 feet between the line and
the crowd.
1t was critical moment and needed
only one act Of violence to precipltate
crisis. And that one act was forth
coming. AS the officer turned to give
command drunken man threw mass
Of ore with murderous strength right
into his face, and he fell to the ground
with the blood scattering the uniform
Of the man nearest him.
Stuart from his position on the plat
form tried to make himself heard. The
on1cer next in command stepped OUT
and in voice that rose over the roar
of the wild beast rising in the mob
shouted, make ready" But before he
could add the word lain" or fire" a
woman suddenly flung herself, as it
seemed. right out of the mob and ran
up directly in front Of the leveled guns.
She stood alone in the little space be-
tween the troops and the miners. Stu