Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-11

adjoining reaching entirely across the side,
and the wind was from the north A spark
in the hay would flash along the side ike
finder. and the wind would sweep 1t across
the stockyards, involving not only the
buildings and other infiammable property.
but the thousands of cattle and sheep and
hogs which could not be removed to places
of safety at such short notice.
The manager did not wait for coat or nat
or to roll down his sleeves, nor even to
make the twenty yards detour necessary
to reach gate, and the department super
intendent and most of the men were close
behind. AS they hurled themselves over
the fence. without regard to bruises or now
they landed on the other SIDE the manager
saw in one swift comprehensive glance the
column of smoke curling up at the end OF
the barn, the massive figure of Bllxer pend
ing over at its base and the strikers crowd
ing forward with hoarse yellS. what ne
did not notice was that the yells were OF
astonished anger instead of exultation.
AS he struggled to his feet the manager
drew and threw his revolver into quick hhe
with BlXer. He would not nave tifie 10
force his way through the strikers ana ex-
tinguish the fire, even should they let MIN;
Already the end of the barn was biuckeheu
and charred, and at any moment mug a III
break through. Perhaps even now II was
hot enough for the dry hay on the other
side to ignite. Though it was too late TO
do any good he could at least puilsh inc
leader of the mischief.
Rut as his ewes flashed along the barrel
they hestated, and the weapon sank TO ms
side. He could not kill man wantohiy,
| and it would not save the cattle on the
other side. BllXerS deatn coulo mo- GA
| tinguish the fire.
Several of the men were beside MIN now,
with revolverS drawn, and together tneS
| forced their way among the yelllhs s,lh
ers, unmindful of everything except li'e
charming wall of the barn in front. BUT
as they fought themselves forward, 1901 by
! foot they gradually became aware that
the angry yells were not directed asaiiis.
ha
the wall which now stood erect, IT'S huge
fists swining in and out, right ana leIt'
back and forth. with the slow, sure pre-
cision of machine, and apparently ailllosI
the force of pile driver. They saw man
after man drop before them, saw bioou
strea ming from BliXer's face where vi,
ciously cast stones and other missiles hdu
struck him. saw him sway suddenly ana
sink upon his knees, only to rise dlzzliy
before the Infatuated crowd could close III
upon him. then they threw themselves for
ward beside him and turned, six OF them'
with leveled revolvers.
The managers face was happy. as ne
swung beside BliXer, swift glance nao
shown the fuel scattered beyond danger 10
the barn. apparently by the big feet OF MS
companion; the smoke was drifting away
into feecy invisibility; the charred wall
was not charred deep enough to endanger
the hay on the other side. AS he swept
the muzze of his weapon along the line or
startled faces in front he caught hlrnSelI
laughing aloud. Compared with the threat
ened calamity any personal danger seemed
trivial.
What does it mean, Blixer?'' he asked
as the strikers shrank sulieniy away from
the muzzles OF the weapons. 4 thought
you were with them.
80 I am calmly but not in this. J.
was round on the next corner tryin to keep
'em from breakin down the fence When
saw the smoke an hurried here. They dldn
seem to like my putin the fire out very
much
Yes notice they seem a little annoyed,
Well" heartily, I'm glad you have seen
the error of your ways, Blixer.'
but / haven't" sturdiy. I'm with the
strikers just as much's when 1 started. If
you mean 1 can come back to my JOB, !
don't want it'll this thing S settled l m
only one, an they're the whole lot, an
the wage cuttin' wasn't right
The manager laughed.
Il was thinking of the cutting when L
tumbled over the fence just now he said
II am willing to concede that point, and L
think you will be the very man to do the
talking. Tell the strikers the old scale OF
wages will be restored if they'll come back
to work They We're half right about that,
anyway. But tell them nothing else will
be yielded AS to your job, don't believe
we will want you back in the yards again,
Blixer In fact, we had definitely decided
upon your discharge last night You are a
good man for war, but dangerous in time
of peace, and l hope this wage concession
will bring about a cessation of hostilities.
I'm sorry, Blixer but the fact is you're not
competent
He looked at the keenly. but If
there any disappointment it failed to
show Blixer's face was calm, but in his
eyes was unqualified approval
Il thought you'd come round, manager,
soon's you realized the thing want right
he said graciously. Il don't b'lieve therell
be much trouble. The better men O. the
families than fghtn'. Wages is what they
want most I'll talk with EN-"
Thank you" The strikers had with
drawn several rods, and We're commencing
to whisper among themselves. The manager
and his friends lowered their weapons.
Come to the office when you learn their
decision Blixer l will have your wages
ready. And tell the men If they wish to
work they must come on a once
AS they turned away, Blixer's gaze fell
upon Tom Baker, who had kept near the
manager and for the first time a shadow
came to his face Pauline always stood by
her father and her father abhorred strikers.
But an hour later he presented himself at
the office his face strong and calm
IT'S all right, manager" he said. THE
menll be back in their places inside of an
hour, all except a dozen or so. an they're
too few to count. Timrod the delegate, is
mad an has started back for Chicago. Now
I'll take my money"
The manager drew pay envelope from
his desk and gave it to him, adding:
There is another little matter l wish to
speak with you about, Bixer. l did not
ma a good opportunity out there at the
barn. / suppose you know the company
owns cattle ranch of its own?
The big Three l. on the Snake river?"
yes The manager is leaving us to de-
velop a mine he has discovered, and we
need a new man. viii you take the place."
Bixer's eyes opened a little, then the lids
settled back to their customary half-closed
friendliness.
IF you think I'm competent"
Il do. You would not be on even a small
job in the stockyards but out yonder you
will be all right. You know cattle and
their ways thoroughly. and as the ranch is
a pretty big one you'll need IA bookkeeDer
and assistant. so the figuring will be all
right. We would like you to start imme-
diately.'
AS he left the office Blixer met Tom
Baker coming in. The yard man held out
his hand impulsively. his face flushing
lid like to shake hands with you,
Blixer" he said, almost shyly. That
was a fine stand you took out yonder by
the barn. | amt never seen many things
like it, An'-an' amt your left arm
broker"
Blixers left hand was being carried in
his coat pocket with the arm closely press
ed to his side.
why, yes, I think likely it is" he an
swered. "A stone struck it"
Il thought mebbe twas broke from the
Way Won held if There was rnnict,,ra II,