Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-27
Think Twice Before You Strike.

with a high sounding name painted on
its dirty windows. Its doors "eie
fast closed, and no sounds or signs OF
activity came from within. Inc place
looked like a prairie town after the
boom was over.
The three men sat huddled tlghty
together on the entrance step. lhey
seemed to have been dipped once 100
often in he "bluing" water-wlth an
overdose of "bluing' in 1t. They were
thin, and anxious, and empty pocketed.
The leanest of them broke the dis
couraged silence.
Il don't like this striking business
said he
"Ai dank so-ya-a-a," drawled the
short Swede. who was sandwiched De-
tween the other two.
Another silence.
My baby's sick" said the third man.
young fellow with coat buttoned up
to his chin and heavy circles under
his eyes.
Another silence, penetrated again by
the lean man.
Il wish the boss would open up. I'd
like to get to work again"
"Ai dank so-ya-a-a," assented the
dark circled eyes sighed.
Another silence
my moneys most gone, how's
your's?" asked the sick baby's faith
err
Never had any to count on" an
| nounced the lean one.
| The Swede struggled around until he
.,.t~ 1T t,D, nrg
pocket and extracted some loose
change, with ragged S. bill. He
looked at it speculatively moment
and then returned it whence 1t came.
Then he settled again into an apathetic
| silence.
Did you say the boss'd come
round bout this time?" asked the
youngest one.
| II seen him here last night this
time" replied the lean one.
You did. too. didn't you, ole?"
| "Ai dank so-ya-a-a."
II don't see why we're being KEEP out
so long" said the youngest one, with
a sigh. Il think unions d ought to be
for somethin' better'n maxim fellers
lose their jobs. I allays had steady
work before this thing come up.
| Jones says as how we'll get more
money for it-and I ain't sayin' s we
don't deserve 1t. But nobody's payin'
my bills while I amt workin. They
ought to be some other way strikin'
seems to me-
seei the freight handlers talk
about goin' out" said the lean one.
They'd better leave we'll enough
alone"
THE employers Is having a union
now. 1 see by the paper"
! II bet they don't pay no dues" as
serted the lean one. They got plenty
of money to keep up their end. We
taint.''
"In union they's strength" quoted
the younger man. That's why we got
to stand t'gether."
"Oh, 1 hold to the union idee, al
right" answered the lean one, but
amt sayin' some of them amt goin' too
far. Well get the public. down on us
fust thing we know, and then what?
"Ya-a-a," put in the fiat voice OF the
Swede.
/ A large red faced man, who had the
appearance of prosperous political
boss, came leisurely toward the trio or
the laundry step.
Hello, boys" was his greeting. Ou'
for an airing?"
i Hello, yourself" retorted the lear
one. when are we going to get BACK
to work. My bank accounts getting
worn at the edges"
i "Nothin' settled yet" replied Jones
for Jones it was. Just hold firm anc
'Iit'n come out o. K. l tell you, were
4 shown EN-! Just you wait and watch
'em come to time. They've been starv-
in you fellers long enough. Let EN-
Hose some money now. The employers
have been havin' every thing their owr
way SO long, now they can't realize
4 what's goin' to happen. Look at EN-
Amt they been gittin' rich right along
And right off Of you, too. tell you
boys, they got to be taught their les
i son, and it's US that's teachin' them
4 We amt been Citing rich off the laun'
dry business, are we? We don't ge
fat off other peopurs work do we? We
] don't live in no boolyvard. with an Eng
lish butler, that has mutton-chop WINS
kers and a sooperbillious air.
..Who are the rulers of this country
anyway? It's the peopul, amt IL
Well, we're the peopul an were goln
to rule this country. And the only way
to rule it, boys, is to stick together
or course, it amt easy, but we all go
to sacerfice something. ! s'pose, now
you boys are gettin' sort of dawn In the
mouth, but if
\ ITS down in the pocket were gettln,'
said the lean one. THE idee's all right
We amt sayin' nothin' 'ginst the idee
Jones'"
"Say, YOU amt needin' money, arr
Won? / amt got much, myself, but II
doller'n help you out, here she Is. here
one for you, too Larry. Need anything
mister?" to the Swede.
"Ya-a-a," replied the Swede, extend
ing his hand for the proffered bill, anf
subsiding once more into his trance o
silence.
Now, don't get discouraged. boys
There's a meetin' down at the hail TO
night. S'pose you drop in. The othel
fellers III all be there, and Well have
some speech making that you won
forget in a hurry. So long"
Great talker, Jones is" commented
the lean one, as the prosperous torn
vanished from view.
"Ain't he something fierce?" ex
claimed the younger man. He JUS
rifles me all up, I'd like to go out ane
smash something after Jones's peer
talking. He's all right, he is. ~
knows what he's talking about, al
right. That's all right what ne say.
about they're making their money OF
IL.