The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-10-02
CHAPTER XXV-COntinued

Now this was one of the founda-
ton stones in Griswold's theories
and IN his book; that the laborer is
entitled, not to a dividend share in
the product of his labor, but to the
entire product. But as yet he was
only broad enough to lay down the
general principle. He could by no
means apply it to the particular per-
sonal instance.
That is nonsense, Martin, and you
know it. Whose money built the
plant?"
The man took time to think about
1t, and, as slow men often do, he
thought it over to some purpose.
Il s'pose you could say that amt
Tor me to say, but I'm goin' to say
1t. Mr.. Raymer got his money from
the old man, and we, and others like
US, helped him earn it. I dunno who
helped you earn your money, Mr..
Griswold. Maybe you earned it all
yourself, but I don't believe it,
At this Griswold flew into a pas
sion, there being no other retort for
such thrust.
You don't know what you're talk
ing about" he snapped. "Let me
pass"
The man stood aside respectfully
enough, and the master crossed the
street to the iron works side of it.
An arc light swinging from it's wire
IN front of the foundry building flung
black shadows beneath the trees at
the curb line, and for aught pass
er-by might see, street and plant
were alike deserted. But the quietude
was only seeming. AS Griswold
crossed the roadway, there was a
binding flash of white light which
seemed to have its focusing point
under tree which shaded the small
detached office building. The flash
was but momentary, but it served to
reveal knot of men in various atti-
tudes of expectancy at the corner of
the office. A glimpse was all Girls
void had, and it was followed instant
1y by a yell of fury, the din and
clamor of fray, and knot of ours
ing, struggling men broke out of the
tree-shadow. Griswold flung himself
promptly into the thick of it, seeing
nothing but that dozen Infatuated
men were assaulting one.
'For shame!" he cried, shoulderine
his way into the group. "Stop it and
let him go, or I'll prosecute the last
one of you in the courts!"
The melee quieted down, but two
of the men kept fast hold of their
prisoner. Griswold looked again, and
when he recognized the captive, had
curious little shock of surprise.
The pinioned man was no other than
the man whom he had taken from the
island in the "Sprite," whose good
cigar he had smoked in the lobby of
the hotel, and whose occupation and
business in Wahaska he had bv no
means been able to guess until Char
lotte had enlightened him.
There was a moment of silence of
the portentous kind, and then the
leader of the workmen spoke for all.
"1ou go away, Mr.. Griswold. This
amt no funeral O. yours, and it'll be
a heap better all round if you don't
tend it,
But Griswold made no move to 60
away. "Not step till you release
that man.
A murmur of savage disapproval
ran through the group of determined
ones and there were muttered impre-
cations including Griswold.
"'Tain't no use, Mr.. Griswold." the
spokesman went on. eve ketched
him in the very act, and he's goin' to
swing if ever last one of US has to
dance on nothin' to pay for it. It's
him or u.s."
Caught him in the act of what?'
demanded Griswold.
The spokesman shuff1ed with his
feet and hung his head He was the
ringleader of the malcontents: a bur-
ly molder but lately come to Wa
haska, and there had been whispers
pointing to past of his which would
not bear the light. Griswold remem-
bered these rumors now, and saw
this: that the mans following was a
detail from the more desperate Sec
ton of the strikers.
The pause was brief, but being sur
charged with possibilities, seemed
long. At length the man threw I'D
his head.
Come here and I'll show vou." he
said.
Griswold followed him step aside.
to the Office front and to breach
in the palings of the high fence close
at hand. Within the breach, and
heaped against the wall of the frame
office building, was a pile of chips and
shavings, and there was a pungent
odor of kerosene in the air. The
man pointed in silence.
You mean to say that he was 60
ing to burn us out?" asked Griswold.
Them fixin's speak for themselves,
don't they?"
But why?" Griswold demanded.
The big man snorted scornfully.
faint no use for you to play in