The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-16


The doctor had made a decided impression
on the men. They were used to his rough.
uncornplimeptary inyoctive. and they
loved him as perhaps they never loved
any one else. and he had put the matter
so plainly. oven II Il had been flung nj
them so roughly. that they were COM
PEELED to think.
The next half hour In that old hall that
night witnessed the closing chapter In the
breat strike Man afetr man rose and
declared that II would be madness TO pull
up the pumps. Tho Doctors words had
struck into, the heart OF things. and men
who had sworn when they entered the
owners property they could lay hands
on now urged caution and waiting. There
was. however. one element they had not
reckoned on.
The union had been for several weeks
In a condition bordering on dissolution.
Eric had found that out some time before
he was confronted with the fact OF his
own loss OF power. lie knew that the
end was very near. The entire effect
of the evenings event so far tended 10
break down what remained Of the union
stuart could see the end coming. He sat
back against the wall. forgotten by the
leaders and their men as the talk went
on. There were several fiery appeals for
carrying out the original plans OF destroy
ing the minee. The crowd swayed all over
the room as one and another from the
floor as we'll as from the platform spoke.
Finally the end came In a rush. A great,
shamblins figure, no less than our old
friend Sanders. who had been charged
by the doctor with getting cod liver oil
from the dispensary wherewith TO grease
his boots. rose and In voice that In
spite OF It's being perforated with spas
modic coughs was easily heard made a
fk.af h.. a fS AE~ala rad of
a pandemonium started In with the do
bate on this motion. The crowd outside
caught the news and II maddened the
mob. There was great rush for the hall
entrance. The chairman finally put the
motion as yells OF Question:! "Ques-
tion!" rose on every side. and II carried
by a two-thirds vote.
Instantly the men In the hall started
TO rush into the street and were met at
the hall entrance by the yelling crowd
trying. to get In. For several minutes
there was a tremendous struggle. but
gradually the crowd outside, as II learned
OF the action Of the union leaders, gave
way. and when one OF the most promi-
nent men in the De Mott range put the
question. standing on the steps OF the
courthouse at the corner. the majority
OF the voices yelled "Ayer to the ques-
ton declaring the strike of. There was
no accounting for this to Stuarts mind
except by the fact that all along the men
had grown more and more tired OF the
strike and had really been waiting for
some one 10 make the break Then they
followed like sheep, and In less than ten
minutes the union was past history.
A few OF the disaffected men that
night. infiamed with drink and mad at
the close of the strike. went up TO the
Queen mine. determined to pull UP the
pumps and destroy as much as possible,
but the troops had already anticipated
such an attempt and In skirrnieh with
the miners drove them back, no one, how
ever being killed and only few heads
broken with clubs and ore missiles Stu
art did not know OF this until the next
day. and the doctor helped mend the
broken heads, grumbling as he did so and
declaring with each new case that II was
positively the very last he would attend.
Stuart came out into the street feel
ing that his part Of the evenings work
had been very Insignificant. He had, In
fact, been almost ignored In the excite-
ment and had sat q silent spectator Of
the AFFAIR. lie was calm enough TO realize
that the Doctors abrupt statement COM
bined with the gret love the miners had
for him. had a great deal to do with the
way the matters were being shaped. The
was broken UP into groups, discussing
the situation and wondering what the
owners would do now.
Stuart was standing by the doctors
cutter. waiting for him 10 return. when
a man touched him on the arm. He turn
cd, and there stood Eric. He had run
nearly all the way from Champion. but
Stuart did not know that.
'Ericr' cried Stuart.
IL got here just I'm time to be OF no
use" said Eric gloomily. Then he add
ed, with more feeling. You are not
hurt?'
mo. There has been no disturbance.
You've heard that the strike is declared |
off? How did you come over7'
Yes, heard the news quick enough. l |
came on foot. / will never trust a crowd |
again. I thought / knew these men. 1 |
would have sworn nothing could prevent |
their pulling up the pumps tonight That |
shows how little / have really known |
them"
I'VE thank the doctor for the way |
things have turned. You never heard |
such talk as he gave the men"
mo. and you never will again. said /
The doctor as he came up and began 10 |
unite Ajax. "It was my first and will |
Do my last on the stage. ! wouldn't have |
gone up this time only / wanted TO tell |
he good for nothing lot OF them what |
,hance to say so TO as large a number OF |
hem at once. Come on. Going back to
Champion with me, Stuart7"
WAIT a minute, doctorr' cried Stuart /
10 drew Eric OF one side. Eric. you
,ame over on purpose to share the danger |
with me. / know what IL means" Eric |
I'D not answer. You are not feeling the
Injustice OF the men toward you Don't |
ct it make you bitter The cause Is the /
same" Still Eric was silent Won't |
you go back with us? The doctor can
make room"
mo: I'll stay over here with some
friends. I'll be back tomorrow" Eric |
'eplied as II with an effort.
Stuart laid hand on his shoulder
Erie" he said simply. II love you"
Eric choked- In the darkness a tear
oiled down over his cheek. He turned
lway and walked into the street. and
Stuart went back TO Champion with the
loctor.
Eric takes II hard: his loss OF infu-
nee over the men," said Stuart, with
Ugh.
Put not your trust in the mob" replied
he doctor shortly.
CTo be continued.)