Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-14
CHAPTER XVII.

the brick fireplace.
II suppose we might easily have lei
another month go by without seeing
each other" he continued. Meeting
once month Is good average for in
Inmates in New York, isn't it?"
Yes, unless they live in the same
street; then, say, once in two months,
returned Kennard, dryly.
"Br-r-r-r! The cordiality Of the
place makes me shiyer! l never knew
was particularly sociable until
came here, but this 'don't-give-a-cuss-
for-you' atmosphere got on my nerves
at first and nearly drove me to shaking
hands with cigar-store Indians for So
ciability's sake. Now I'm hardened,
and beg to inform present company
that | haven't bestowed thought on
him or his affairs since we left Mann
aroneck."
You're like all beginners and over
do the part a little"
Kennard jerked chair toward the
fire, and sitting down began to clean
his pipe.
well, perhaps I do exaggerate q
trifie." replied his companion. Il ad-
NIT | looked for your name several
times in the death column of the news
papers, and once"
That's always permissible. Indeed,
it's rather bad form not to know when
your friends are dead"
I'm glad to know it, because must
admit, when l saw paragraph about
the strike at your factory, was guilty
of stopping twice at this place to make
inquiries about you. But, Of course, I
obtained no information, and reverted
to the death column again"
Thanks for your solicitude. I've
been worked to death, but am not dead
yet. Throw me the tobacco"
81 suppose any interest I may dis
play in your doings will be ascribed to
sentiment" drawled Maddox, as he
tossed the chamois pouch toward his
host But assure you." he con-
tinued, 'it's nothing but curiosity
and"
"Oh, drop it,"
"All right Going to tell me all
about it?"
"Yes."
A puff of smoke closed the word.
Dave nodded as he observed the smile
on Kennard's lips.
Get me a jacket. then, and let's be
comfortable in the old way" he began,
as he took off the dinner-coat and hung
it on the door knob. You've got nice
rooms here, or, to temper my enthu-
siasm to the city standard. should
say they're not altogether bad. What
do you call this place."
The Benedict. Here, see II this
things ragged enough for you"
"Yes, thatll do Benedict because
you're all bachelors, suppose"
Some say the best way to turn a
bachelor into benedict is to make him
live here"
Guess I'll have to try 1t, then"
Don't. We'd never see each other
at all If we lived in the same house.
That's an axiom in this town"
Jack Kennard kicked the fire into
a blaze as he spoke. and threw himself
down on the low divan facing Maddox
sprawling in the big armchair.
"Well?"
Dave stopped blowing rings Of smoke
toward the ceiling, and turned inquir-
ingly to the figure on the divan.
Where shall begin?"
Begin at the beginning and end at
the end, as the children say"
"You know the beginning. | wish |
knew the ending myself"
"Go on, and quit moralizing."
"You remember when they tele-
graphed for me at Christmas time
and you know l left the next day."
"Um."
THAT was the beginning Of trouble,
I've had nothing else since. Three
weeks ago 700 men went on strike,
and the hundred who wanted to work
were not allowed to do 1t. At first
couldn't find out just what the trouble
was. One story had 1t that I'd taken
on a non-union man named Mallory. q
protege of Miss Harlan's. and they
wanted him discharged. Another ver-
sion was that had discharged loafer
called Ben Homans. who really dis
charged himself, and still another that
! refused to treat with the representa-
tive of the union. After while | dis
covered all these things had more OF
less to do with the affair. but the foun-
dation of the whole trouble was the
employment Of Mallory. Even then.
thought a few words from me would
set the matter straight, but ! was soon
undeceived, and now I'm completely
disillusioned."
Kennard laughed unpleasantly, and
stopped to relight his pipe. MaddoH
made no comment, and continued
watching the smoke rings as they
ioated slowly from his mouth.
There's no use denying 1t. Dave
old man. I've had facer which has
shaken a good many foolish theorie:
out of my head, but it's Jared me too
| confess it. For time | was so an
gry | could think of nothing better
than defiance and the discharge o
every man who didn't come back with
in "a hours. That meant fighting, ant
| was in the mood for war, but I've
been playing the sickly sentimentalis
with these people too long for then
not to beat me at any such game
We've been building up village o
employees for years, watching 1t lik'
a lot of old hens, and dreaming tina
the people who lived in 1t considered
the firm their best friend. Well, the!
don't now, whatever they may haV'
done in former times. absolutel!
refused to discharge Mallory, and In
stantly policed the shops in order tina
any man who wanted to work couiC
DO so. We ran the place after
fashion, and some Of the men were en-
couragingly decent. Culver, q fellow
who was injured not long ago, did the
work of seven men, and I've promotee