The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-02-21

with his usual frankness.
"There! You see where the difiiculty
lies" replied Eric sadly. "The very
nature of the situation compels n
breach in our old relations with each
other. OF course l believe in the strike
or wouldn't be the leader Of It,"
ut seems like bad way to get at
what you want" said Stuart.
Have you studied into the details
Of the situation? Do you know all the
facts which have led up to this move
ment"
81 know what my father has told me.
He says the men did not consult with
the companies and went out without
warning or notice Of any kind"
Eric rose to his feet. ITS a lie" he
exclaimed. with a sudden passion that
no one would suspect existed. 1t was
like an explosion that transformed the
man into another being.
Stuart also rose "Do you mean to
say that my father lied to me about
the facts"
II do" retorted Eric. "He lied, and
he knows he lied"
Stuart took one step toward Eric and
the two young men confronted each
other. Suddenly Eric turned on his
heel and without word walked down
the hill. For moment Stuart seemed
on the point Of going after him or call
ing out for him to stop, but the next
moment he stepped back to the stone
and sat down. When Eric had disap-
penred behind clump Of trees, Stuart
rose and went toward home by another
path.
When he reached the house. Louise
met him and told him his father want.
ed to see him at once. He went In and
stood by the bed. his whole being STIR
red by the interview with Eric. 1t
was the first real passion to speak Of
that had reused his self controlled ma
ture. His father spoke with the blunt
ness that always marked his speech.
"Stuart, want you to so to Cleve-
land for the company. This strike has
caused complications with our local
agents. There is important business
that ought to see to In person. Can
you 60 at once? The eastern express
is due at 9 O'clock"
81 am at your service. father" re-
piled Stuart. He was still going over
his recent Interview with Eric.
Here are the papers. can explain
the business to you In few minutes"
Stuart drew up chair, and his IA
ther gave him instructions. Then as
Stuart put the papers in his pocket
Ross Duncan said. his face and man
ner softenlng little as he fell back
on his pillows:
Stuart. lad. in case anything hap
pens to me, Of course you know have
left everything to you and Louise. The
mines. with other property and invest
ed funds besides New York property
and bonds not connected with the
mines, are worth over S4.0O0.00O. |
have left Louise Sl.OOO.OoO in proper
ty. You will be left in the sole charge
Of everything in case die. or course
you understand that | am the compa.
ny. This strike is against me. II |
die, II will be against you. | believe
can depend on you to defend the mil
lions l have worked so hard all my
life to get together" said Ross Dun.
can. Then in his old manner he said,
"You will have to hurry to get that
train"
Stuart rose, and conflict Of feelings
rose with him. What his father had
just said moved him one way, the aft
ernoon with Eric moved him another.
He wanted to ask his father one ques-
tion before he went away.
"Father," he asked almost timidly.
"did you tell me that the strikers went
out without giving the companies any
notice or warningT"
"Yes."
"Do you mean that they gave abso-
lutely no hint of their intentions to
any one?"
itosS lOsc q ilttiCt anu hio
face changed.
"They sent their representative, as
they called him, to me about two weeks
before the morning Of the strike to
confer about wages. but I wouldn't
recognize any such representative with
any right to interfere with my busi-
ness and tell me what wages l ought
to pay"
"Who was the representative?
Stuart asked the question, well know
ing the answer.
"Who was It? Who but that pray.
ing, pious friend Of yours, Eric Vas
sall"' Ross Duncan sat up. and the
wound on his forehead grew purple.
Stuart was frightened at the sight. He
could not say anything. His father
sank down again, exhausted with his
anger. Stuart went away without
even word Of farewell. There was
bitterness in his heart that was new
to 1t. Eric had been right, then, &C.
cOrding to his view. The company had
received notice. There had been an