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

MHS, ~
4 man touched him 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 81 day
Stuart was practically in position to
gain many markets once closed to
him. The demand for ore was grow.
ing more imperative. As 1t happened
also, the Champion mines were pro-
ducing a very superior grade Of ore.
and Stuart could AFFORD to pay the 81
in any case. whether the other mines
were worked or not.
As q 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 a few
mines Mt a 10 per cent rise on previous
wages. This almost led to another
strike and a 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 20 back a few at time. This
led to a singular condition Of affairs
In the iron region. never before known
Nearly 1900 men were receiving ~ a
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 a 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 had left Its mark on ev-
cry home, and the men were not In a
condition when the rise in wages final.
" 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
miles had opened the two were Out
loofing at the new cottages going up In
Cotnishtown. The work had beer
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 60 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. II
! was winter still. The snow lay deeI
in all the valley. The sound Of the
workmen came up to them from Cor
nishtown. The engine stacks wer'
smoking all over the range. All thu
ore stock piles were dotted over will
busy moving figures.
Stuart said something about the sit'
being a good one for q house.
II don't know but shall put up lit
tie cottage on this stump. and we coult
begin housekeeping on q modest scale
like the rest Of the people down there
What do you think Of thatr"
O"But wouldn't we be putting our
selves above them to come up here? ?
asked Rhena slyly.
mo; we would simply be In . posi-
ton to see all Of them and be bette
able to help them In case Of need"
II don't think the stump ID quit
large enough for q foundation" sail
Rhena very soberly, though she wa
very happy. after had opened tn
front door I would have to 60 outsid
to shut It again"
| "You are very hard 70 suit madam.
lrenula c1Nesl ls..s II r. 4Ae