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


Whom Stuart and the doctor swept into
Do Mott after a fierce ride behind the
foaming Ajax, they found almost the
entire population gathered around the
postofiice block, In which was large hall.
used during the winter mostly for travel
ing show companies.
II was packed tonight with miners.
man who could ind q foothold inside
was there. The rest were waiting out
side to hear a final decision. Not
man OF them but believed the result had
already been determined and that before
morning every pump on the range would
be pulled out and the companies would
lose millions OF dollars worth OF property
In a few hours. IL would be a grim
revenge OF labor over capital IL would
strike capital at It's most sensitive spot.
II would be real satisfaction for the
great suffering and want Of the winter.
And many and many a hollow faced miner
In the crowd d~dround the hall was think
ing Of a little child lying dead under the
snow In the great burial place on the
slope OF the range. and he grasped his
stick tighter and cursed the rich I'm
his palace Of comfort that bitter night
looked at the faces around him, and
his heart sank as he realized how great
was the force OF mob bent doing
Its own pleasure. He felt as II any In
fusnce he might possess In Champion
was an empty breath in De Mott. Sure
ly Andrew had boen mistaken when he
said Stuart could influence such men as
these at suoh a time as this.
He was reused from sil this by the
doctor. who spoke short and sharp.
Now. then. let's make a break for the
hall! Well leave Ajax right here"
Stuart was astonished.
"Thsy won't let us In the hall"
We'll see about that" replied the doc
tor.
He drove Ajax up In front of one OF
the drug stores where he was in the
habit OF stopping when he came TO De
Moot, and, getting out OF the cutter,
with Stuart following with much won
der, he began TO force his way to the
hall door. AS Stuart went on he began
10 realize that there had been a mis-
take made by Andrew. II there was
one man left who had real influence
over the miners. II was not Stuart Dun
can. bur DR. Saxon.
II was almost comical to see the
changes that went over the miners faces
as the doctor showed men this way and
that IN order 10 set near the hall. At
first thay swore and threatened to do
un9peahaDie uainaSe IOr TOuEn
ment some one was giving them but the
minute they caught sight OF the rugged
kindly face they were as polite and ready
TO make room as II he had been somo
high and mighty potentate and they his
loyal subjects.
he be needed In the hall. Some one be
hurt In there likelyl' And big Dane
reached out and caught a miner. who
was standing In front OF the doctor, by
the COLLAR and pulled him of his feet as II
he had been a dummy In a clothing store
In this way the doctor. Stuart strug-
Cling In his wake. fought and had fought
for him a way up to the hall door. Thirty
years absolute devotion TO the great
needs OF the miners IN De Mott as we'll
as In Champion had endeared the doctor
to every stole obstina Il, dull. heavy brain
%, but warm hearted man out OF the
5000. but even tonight he was privileged
asked.
He was in the hall and Stuart behind !
him. II was contrary TO union rules but
tonight there was no such strict enforce
ment Of regulations. The men had reach
ed or were nearing desperate resolve
and did not care much who knew 1t.
So the doctor, still silent. as he had
been from tho time he started 10 make |
his way into tho hall. went on through
the dense crowd that blocked the aisles. |
and Stuart still crowded after him. his
mind in n dream. his amazement at the
Doctors action not yet relieved by a real
mixing OF his purpose.
They were on the platform, and the |
speaker had stopped TO shake hands with |
the doctor, and then the doctor had asked |
IN a low voice II he might say a word To !
the men.
Tho chairman OF the union happened |
TO BE one OF the Champion men. II was |
only two weeks before that DR.. Saxon |
had gone out into one of the flercisst |
storms OF the winter .waded through drifts |
over his head, where Ajax had refused to |
go, and at n critical time In the illness |
Of this mans baby had dragged IL. as II |
BY sheer force OF defiance against death, |
out of the very shadow OF the valley back |
into the warmth OF life. The chairman 1
was a. hard faced. hard listed. but big |
hearted Cornishman, who loved his babies /
as much as any man on earth. and II DIR. |
Saxon had asked for his last crust OF |
bread or n share OF his pasty he would |
have said Take IL all
"Boys. doctor. he be wanting to say a |
word or two. IL don't belong to be by /
the rules, but l say let doctor say his /
sayl'
AYE, ayel Let's hear doctorl' shout
ed hundred voices. and the man who
had been speaking at once sat down.
The doctor turned around and faced the /
men. Stuart never forgot the scene. IL
flashed into him like light that the doc \
tor was taking all this upon himself TO
save him. Stuart from danger Of col