The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-10-01

| employed, he says, on u machine that
, was speeded to thirteen lines a min
| ute. Marveious! I can hear the "maty"
dropping yet. Then We had another
cigar. And finally I found out some
thing did not know. I thought was
working with a fairly good lot Of fell
| lows, and was greatly thankful when
found out that such was not the
case. Another cigar. And again I
found out that the fellow who worked
beside me was no "printer;" that IL
he did not have drag he could not
| have held his position. And I wonder
e1 to myself that If he (the speaker)<
knew how much better in his line this
poor printer was than myself. what
would be his opinion Of me. And,
| really, l did not have the heart to buy
cigars that trip. But the speaker did
| ten eenters, too! Pass the box around,
bartender, please" he asked.
While thus standing at the bar, with
one hand tightly clasped at its rail. we
spared for time. thought it the one
| regrettable feature in the makeup of
the human system that there was not
greater storage capacity, and I at
tributed to this fact the existence Of
the unquenchable thirst that some Of
us possess. Were then transformed
into the camel so many opportunities
would not have escaped me.
Well, next we had a discussion; and
then we had another. We questioned
| the honesty Of our elective officers;
we found the chairmen OF the various
| chapels incompetent; We "backcapped"
| anybody and everybody whose name
| was mentioned. In fact, we resolved
ourselves into Knockers Club.
Why" said one, in speaking Of the
foreman of the Hall Columbia, IT
| that fool ever lost his Job he'd have to
go to the woods, where he came from.
| All he knows is enough to give peo-
pie call DOWNS He'll get his some
days; don't you forget it. Why, I
knew him when he rated in P.
Union man, nothing! BY the way, bar
! tender, let's have another cigar. Why,
| that fellow ia union man because Of
policy, not principle. II he could get
| Job In some rat office he'd take it
IN minute. And he's not the only one
1t that office Of the same kind, either"
Great! l thought to myself.
It was a bold declaration, for the
speaker himself was employed in the
same office. And when he took from
his pocket match to light his fresh
cigar I could not but watch his face
as the light reflected upon It. There,
thought I saw the personffioation OF
all that is good in the unionistic ideal
"a true conviction Of the justice Of
| the cause, and the determination and
| manhood to lend force to that con-
| victiOn through expression and applf-
| alton. Who could refuse the tefnpta-
| ton to buy when feeling thus?
| bought. All took cigars.
At this juncture the bartender had
| set 'em up. and I must confess that
| the ship seemed to be rolling in a
terrible sea, and 1t appeared that it
would be impossible to make port
that night; so we set anchor, for the
time being, at least. The conversation
Jagged, and we placed IN evidence the
union cards OF I; the z2s var ous scities
through which We had passed, and
while thus employed fellow came
in who evidently was acquainted with
one of the party. and said:
Hello, Tom, how's things going.
That's good. BY the way, Tom, our
club Is giving a benefit for friend,
and I would like to sell you ticket"
AS he thus spoke he took one from
his pocket and handed it to Tom. After
reading the announcement Tom replied:
Sorry. GeorEe can't do 1t. Although
know this fellow tor whose benefit
this affair Is to be held, I am not in
a position to buy it; it does not bear
the union label"
"Dtdn't think of that, Tom You
know I have no trade, and in conse-
quence do not belong to any union,
and while I am in sympathy with the
movement. you can readily see the
probability Of my overlooking the ,se
of the label"
well. George, it Is. worthy OBJ
ject, and I would like to assist you in
1t. But some time ago swore that I
! would buy nothing In the line of
printing that did not bear the union
label or give some evidence that the
work was executed by a union man.
But I will cheerfully donate the price
OF ticket to the good cause that you
represent"
mo: couldn't take it, While our
friend is sick and In need of funds, he
tells me that he could not at the pres
ent time accept charity in the form of
a gift; and it was with reluctance that
he had consented to this form of assis-
lance. Thank you, just the same"
Sorry, old man, can't help 1t. But
have = drink anyway"
Thanks, swore off; am on the
rocks high and dry"
well. have smoke"
II will have a cigar"
The bartender took from the back
bar the same box from which he had
been serving the party all evening.
And, beginning at the left, he passed
to the right. at which the new arrival
was standing, and each in their turn
smoker, until 1t came to George who
said:
Nothing doing!"
what! I thought you said YOU
would have a cigar?''
II did, but I find there is no union
label on the box
They all looked at it, then at each
other, and the truth was made known
The cigars were not lit, and Tom
who had ordered the round" again
addressed the bartender, and giving