Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-02-24

he did look with some certainty into
the future. Louise turned from him,
and their interview ended. 1t was only
one more part of the evidence, daily
growing stronger in Stuart's mind. Of
the great difference between his old life
aud the new. He realized now, as he
never had thought to know, the mean
ing of those words, "a mans foes shall
be those of his own household" The
division line had been drawn the min
ute he chose to follow Jesus Christ, and
the separation Of necessity had gone
on widening between him and the old
life, still represented by Louise and his
aunt. He did not blind himself in the
least as to the cause. 1t was very
plain. He could not be Christian and
walk hand in hand with them nor they
with him. The two ways led in exact
81 opposite directions.
But all this was only part Of the
testing Of his manhood. He had far
more severe choice to make at the end
of the week.
Matters were in this condition. The
building of the new houses was going
on with as much rapidity as circum-
stances would permit A big storm
had interrupted the workmen. The
immense SHOWS were serious him
drance. Added to all the rest was the
difficulty Of getting WOrkmen during
the cold weather. The miners who had
been burned out were Quartered all
over the town. The hotel had arranged
for accommodation, Stuart providing
all the expenses there. The Salvation
Army did its share and more too. But
the discomfort and crOwding and Suf-
ferinG were of such nature that even
money, lavishly as Stuart was willing
to use it, could not much more than
provide q temporary and partial relief.
He was down at the Salvation Army
hall one afternoon at the close Of the
week trying to make some arrange
mentS for better accommodations Rhe-
Ia was at work with some of the wo-
men at the other end Of the hall when
Eric came in hastily. He was followed
in few minutes by AndrewA
News from De Mott is serious" said
Eric. The men down there are threat
ening to pull up the pumps again. They
are at the end of their provisions and
! starving"
81 can't feed the entire mining coun-
| try, Eric" said Stuart little sharply.
Il know it." Eric sat down on a
bench and put his face between his
! hands. At once Stuart repented him
of the sharp word.
"FOrgive me, Eric. spoke angrily.
l will do all in my power"
1T isn't that" replied Eric in muf-
fed voice. The men have refused to
listen to me any longer and say they
mean to act on their own account. My
authority is all overy'
Nonsense" But Stuart saw that
Eric spoke the truth.
It's So Eric spoke with bitter.
ness. NO one is quite so ungratefu
as mob OF workingmen when it turns
on its leaders. My day is over"
1t was just at that moment that An
drew came in. Have you heard the
news" he asked. They say the Dc
Mott men are going in a body to the
Queen mine to pull up the pumps anG
then to the Royal and so on until they
have ruined every mine on the range
They have given the companie. two
hours to give in"
Stuart was very thoughtful. eff the!
do so serious a thing as that. it will
lead to an appalling loss of life. The
troops at Hancock have been kept il
readiness by the Cleveland owners
who have been anticipating some such
move. 1t is folly for the men to think
the owners will yield at this late day
to their demands"
ct will be the deathblOw to labor
and the workingman's cause for all
time if they do as they say" said
Eric, with a groan, land l am as help
less as a child T. Eric completely
broke down and actually cried. He felt
that his reign was over.