Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-07-10
e. Storyette
WHEN THE STRIKE WAS ON.

The strike was on and Ferguson
had lost two things, his job and b =.
sweetheart. At the meeting the even
ing previous, when his union had de-
cided unanimously to remain away
from their work, he had been a central
figure He had even thought 1t neces-
sary to say few words in support OF
the position his fellow-workmen had
taken; and to fortify his courage hac
done very unusual thing for him.
One or two drinks, taken at Just the
wrong time, had loosened his tongue
and born In his soul an aggressiveness
entirely foreign to his pnlegmatic tenn
permanent. After the meeting, where
he had distinguished himself, he went
to see Kate
Kate was a girl who had promised
TO marry him as soon as he had laid
up $500. which sum she considered alb
solutely necessary to the comfort Of a
prospectively happy home. He was
almost there" as he expressed 1t,
when the strike came
There was an unusual glitter In his
eye as he came into the modest parlo,
OF Hates home and her keen senses
detected the odor of strong spirits fl
the first kiss
Jerry" and she pushed him away
from her Indignantly, you've been
drinking-and you promised me-"
At another time he would have been
sheepish and crestfallen under the
stern arraignment; but now the false
courage that had upheld him through
the trying ordeal of the "few words"
he had said at the meeting sustained
him and he looked at her fearlessly.
condescendingly even.
well, what of it?" he demanded
loosely. Then trifie more earnest
g: Really, Kate, | had to, this time
Just this once, but it shan't happen
again"
You had to? This once!n
She repeated the words disdainfully.
What was the matteTr Cause you're
goin' to lore your job you're goin' TO
give up everything else with it?"
Il had to say something-just few
words at the meetin'-and took a
glass to give me courage"
'Courage." she laughed mockingly.
TITS a queer kind of courage YOU
need, 1t seems TO me. Amt II funny.
women never needs that kind of
courage? A handsome men," slowly
can't do anything, bear anything, un.
less they have something to give them
courage. Dyou think IL was to lose
my job at the restaurant tomorrow Ia
need any of that kind of courage 10
help me bear It? I'd need what
money | had to help me get another. -
You're woman"
And Is woman drawer than a
great, big, strong man? No. you can't
talk to me. | told you when we made
II up that so long as you kept from
drink and was sober and steady I'd
do my part. You've broken your
promise and you can go. Mr.
Ferguson"
The last words were the quintes
sence of ruthless sarcasm. and the
uSou ui the lnAn was 10 Sratliy nei
desire to get rid OF him.
So the next morning found him
hands In pockets, lounging against 5
white post at one side of the common
n duh pain in his head, which wa
not quite clear from the libations o
the night before, and a sinking feel
ing in his heart, where the 'achinS
void had begun to grow. He has
been hardworking and sober for n,
: last five or six years. since he haS
known Kate, and now he was an idlei
with clouded senses But he did no
blame himself. Not yet. He curset
HIS internal luck and maligned the
girl who had pointed out TO him ~:
folly.
The wind whistled shrilly around al
adjacent building, and he pulled tbs
collar of his REFER farther over his
face as he turned his attention to the
passing crowds. One steady stream q
pederstians poured out OF the great
gates just behind his shoulder, ant
mingling with the surging throngs OF
the sidewalk in front of him wer,
swept along like the rush of grea