The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-06-06
THE STR|KE:BREAkERS
copyrighted, 1903, by A.. s. Leiteh.)


but only words Of encouragement came
suffering in store for those who will
fight the battle to the bitter end. The
weeks that follow prove this to be true.
There were many assertions from the
workers ranks. The mill hands drop
away; 1t is not their, fight. The fac
tory inspection law is complied with by
the proprietors lacking up inspectors
certificates, secured by mail at small
cost, and the ordinance prohibiting en-
ployment of children has been passed,
amended and read. Except by permiss-
ion Of the child's parents
'Once Grenault sought the leader of
the Strike Breakers. There is nothing
OF the conventional villain about the
qulet-spoken man whose name is no.
tor1ous over the land as an aVowed
enemy of labor unions. A furtive look
IN the keen grey eyes, and hand held
upon an ever-ready revolver suggests
one 'notHeuided:by theoretical methods.
This is simply business with me-
he replies to the strike-leaders protest,
pleasantly yet firmly. ut is a mat
ter of unfettered competition, that is
all. We are not 'scabs.' but Strike
Breakers: The company stand all ex-
penses and pays us double the wages
asked by union men. When we have
broken the strike, then the 'scabs' may
come. unless you people are sensible
enough to hike back at the old terms"
The company found these expenses
rather burdensome. An offer was made
10 reinstate the men who applied in
dlv1dually, but Grenault seeing victory
in sight held the majority together. A
reign of terror now sweeps the city.
Cars are "dynanited," numerous as
saults and robberies take place, and in
cendairy fires are of frequent occur
renee. The daily papers trace these
crimes directly to the strikers" the
pulpit thunders it's anathemas against
conspirators" leagues, labor unions
enemies OF God and good government"
Strikes and boycotts are denounced as
the devils" readiness to find evil work
for idle hands to do"
Grenault. soon found himself the tar
get for every vilifying pen and tongue
For him there has come days of actual
starvation: Bit by bit the household
furniture is turned into bread, straw
pallet upon the floor is the last refuge
OF Little Wee-Tot and a sick mother
The child snuggles up for warmth. tie
rather kneels beside, arranginz the niti-
1ul supply of food purchased with the
last pennies. The Pickering candle
casts ghostly shadows upon the bare
wall. There is an unusual dimness in
the strike-leader's eyes, a trembling of
hands and strage huskiness OF voice
as he cheers his wife with the oft re-
peated promise
The company is losing heavily. IF
we can hold out a few days longer.
we're certain to win.' :?
-" few ?''-The fever-parched
lips Writhe painfully, !. the thin white
ShandS.d 81 VS. aside the. shabby cover
1et--sM God man. your child rs OWN
There lies the. form of Little Wee-Tot.
so frail, so white, the breath Of life
scarce lowering upon it's lips.
Grenaul staggers to his feet and
shambles from the room. WHITTIER
anywhere! Money-of course money
must be had. Honestly-if possible
His thoughts are a tangled skien
snarled to madness. He is opposite the
car stables. Theer is murder in his
Wnymfiyso' ohlra-on? aft. xtoor rncc
heart, and as foot touches an iron bar,
an instrumen for murder in his hand
70 what hell's purpose may this bend :?
The county sheriff, an official who re-
tains the friendship of the strikers by
reason of fairness, crosses the street to
learn the business of the shadow limned
figure crouching in the darkness.
Hello, Grenault! In the devils
name, what's the matter? You look
like a wild BEAST
Money" comes the laconic answer,
Il tell you they're starving! starvin
dye hear? They're dyinz-dyinr!
And damn me-
flush, tush. man! Good Lord, you're
not fit to be abroad this night. Hard
up as that? Of course But here,
take this roll of bills il thurst into
the mad mans hands. It'd see you
safe home myself, but I must go over
the route with a car-just for forms
sake, you know"
Grenault, without word of thanks,
has hurried away. He rushes up the
rickety stairs with arms full of the
most varied and useless assortment of
edibles. The comedy of starvation in
the strikers life in nearly played. A
few women half, starved wives of other
strikers. fill the room. A physician
thinks that with care the mother may
pull through" As for Little Wee-Tot,
he has entered upon the long night
wher eternity only begins.
There is some trouble in explaining
the situation to the "haggard, wild-eyed
man. and then they fly from the ma
niac-tossed arms, Tshrieking and laugh
ing, throwing open the window, he adj
dresses imaginary shapes 80
"The child is free! Make way-make
way there for the passing soul, ye- imps
Of hell! The child is free-the strike
is lost!''
Aye, the strike is lost. Even as the
mailman speaks, men are gathering at
the car sheds in the chill bleak down,
regarding each other sheepishly, but
taking their old positions. Petty bosses
hustle around with appearance of sat
isfaction. In another section the Strike
Breakers are packing their kits and