The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-09

spirit Wnicn dlsclples OF tne hastcr pos-
| sessed In common? IL was with that last
thought on his heart that he finally
went 10 rest.
He did not speak TO Louise or his aunt
OF the evenings adventure when he saw
them In the morning. His statement OF
the evening before concerning his feei-
ings toward Rhena had driven the TWO
women into a position OF hostility TO him
that did not find immediate expression
In words, but was very apparent none
the less Louise was angry TO think that
her attempts TO deceive Rhena might
and probably would result In nothing.
Aunt Royal ignored the subject csn-
nitely, but there was no mistaking her
entire opposition TO Stuarts present at
titude. IL was true she did not under
stand him. Stuart was too engrossed In
his perplexities and plans and too much
absorbed In the new life TO feel all this
very deeply, and yet IL showed him how
squarely his new life was henceforth
TO connect with the old.
IL was two days after that that Stuart.
Eric and Andrew met again at Eric's
cottage. Rhera had recovered She was
up and doing part of her work. Stuart
had called TO inquire after her. but ha1
not seen her. He could not help feeling
that when he did have an opportunity
TO speak IL would be an eventful meeting
for him. He had inherited a large por-
ton OF his fathers abrupt determination
of conduct and action. All this faculty
intensified in another direction under the
influence of his spiritual awakening,
burned as strong as I'm the old Stuert
only for another purpose. Paul was Saul
Christianlzed. And the new Stuart was
as likely TO act in matters that required
decision with as much quickness as the
old Stuart. only with larger and truer
vision of the meaning OF the action.
The three men met a more serious and
thoughtful bearing than at the. other
meeting. Every day in Champion now
intensified the situation and increased the
sum total of suffering. There was no
outward sign of the union weakening.
The winter had set In definitely. and IL
looked very much as II the mines had
closed down for the season. Stuart re-
membered one winter wher the mines
had closed for month through action
OF the owners In order to force up the
price OF ore. That was when he was n
hoy. He could still remember something
OF the suffering at that time. Now IL
promised TO be Infinitely worse.
Eric. you hnve more influence with
the men than any one on the ranges.
Can't you persuade the union to do some
thing to arrive at a decision?" asked
Stuart q little vaguely. He was feeling
around after answers to a thousand
qucSUOrs. anu ne tdIk ann
lessly because he was preoccuried.
We'll, what can I do? The owners
are the ones TO arrive at a decision.
Can't you persuade them &c agroe to our
demands and your own promise or s2
a day." replied Eric, who never hesitated
70 say what he felt no matter how abrupt
u might seem.
mo; have no influence that way with
the other owners. You ought to see some
- ~. n t.il
you the owners will not give In. The
whole situation Is horrible. Sometimes.
Eric, Andrew. ! feel as IL the men were
destitute OF all sense. What right have
a third or a fourth OF them to keep the
rest from work because all cannot get the
same wages?'
They don't look at 1t that way. The
principle Is with them all based on the
right or wrong side OF the demand tor
tho S. At the same time. as I said the
other day I looked at the strike from an
other point OF view. am ready to ac-
knowledge II Is q miserable way to Try
to get Justice done. The men can never
make up what they have lost by this idle
ness. But, good God, Stuart" calculated
Eric hobbling to the window and looking
out on the snow covered hills just back
OF the cottage. what other way Is there
II the owners refuse to listen to appeals
and arbitration? Are we to submit indefi-
nitely to starvation wages because we
can't help ourselves. or course / look at
II from a workingmans standpoint. Bail
ed down to It's simplest terms. the men
don't see anything but reason In asking
that a business like the ore industry, tnat
has made a few men princely rioh. ought
TO divide its profits more fairly and make
a good many persons more comfortable
instead OF making a select few uncomfort-
ably wealthy"
do you believe a man can be un-
comfortably wealthy" asked Andrew
with a smile. as II he believed IL him.
self.
You don't need to go outside this
room to find one" answered Stuart So
berry. What good can I DO with all my
money In a case like this? I seem to
be as helpless as either Of you"
mo. ysu're not You can relieve q
great deal OF distress. Money Is a great
power In that way"
But look here. Eric. Isn't this the
situation7 Here are 5000 men out on q
strike. A thousand of them have been
offered their demands. They have re-
fused out OF sympathy for the rest. who
will never get what they ask, for l can't
compel the other companies TO do what
/ think Is the right thing. Now. then,
these men are faced with starvation or at
least with great suffering this winter.
bnail say 10 tucn pidCsiCaiiy. NcEcf
mind; ! have money l will take care of
you for indefinitely or until the money IL
gone II seems TO nae that the thousand
men ought to go to work II they have an
offer at their own terms. What do you
think. Andrew"
II think as you do. i regard the strike
as a disaster At the same time the men
are doing as thousands Of men have done
and will continue to do until we have a
better system than we have at present OF
settling the differences between men who
labor with the brain and those who labor
with the hand. Would II be possible 60
provide the men with work OF any kind,
80 that they would not be fed I'm idle
ness7"
why. what can miners do except their
own kind Of work? Who can manufacture
work In a country like this, where the
whole industry revolves about one thing I,
Besides. well. gon. Eric, IL you want 10
speak" said Stuart, who saw Eric i'm
patiently biting his lips and nervousiy
clipchins his hands
II don't know what to say!" burst out
Eric. The whole situation is maddening.
Then men are right. and the men are
wrong II their methods of getting Justice