Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-28
CHAPTER XXVI.

The information which Maddox had
obtained proved correct In every par
ticular. The motion directing the gen.
eral manager to announce a ten per
cent. cut in wages was duly made by
Trundell at the next meeting Of the
board. 1t was intended, he explained,
to head off an expected demand on the
part of the employees for a higher
scale.
For a few moments after the propo-
sal was made no one spoke, and the l3
men sat staring at one another in SOL
emn silence across the long directors
table
"Wello"
Mr.. Trundell's sharp interrogatory
made Kennard glance at the speaker,
and from him to the other members.
Does no one wish to be heard on
this motion?" he asked at last.
Spaulding shook his head.
Whats the use?" he muttered;
"everything's cut and dried here"
One or two others nodded their con-
currence, and Kennard glanced inquir-
ingly at Maddox, but the latter mere
ly shrugged his shoulders.
"Well. Mr.. Chairman"
Trundells tone was sarcastic and
impatient, and in reply Kennard mo-
toned Maddox to the chair, and walk.
ing slowly TO Dawes place, sat down.
For few heart-beats he could think
of nothing but the most incongruous
subjects-the neat cabinet-work Of the
long table, the handsome polish Of the
wood-border surrounding the center
OF crimson cloth, an inM-stain on the
silver paper-weight-of everything ex'
cept the thoughts clamoring for ut
terance. Even when he rose to his
feet, absurd. trivial things attracted his
eye and held his attention for the mo-
ment-the guilt picture molding oi
the room, the double shade in the ve-
lour draperies at the high windows
the bronze door-knobs, the unevenness
Of Harkness' cravat. and the constant
shifting of Mr.. Harlans glance. Once
twice he followed Joshua Harlan's
eyes as they sought to avoid his; then
suddenly he held them, and at the
same instant he commenced to speak.
IL do not suppose" he began slowly
that anything can say will be likely
/ to change the policy upon which the
majority of this board is determined
still it is my duty to make the attempt.
If, however, no one who hears me Is
persuaded by my words, | shall not
have spoken in vain If the record oi
this days work be made perfectly un-
mistakable I intend that no man In
this room shall be able to say here
after that he did not fully understand
what he was doing. l propose to fix
the responsibility of each and every
vote cast to-day, so there may be nc
possibility of error or escape. Fol-
more than Is years have been an EN-
ployer of labor. During that time
have conscientiously worked to i'm
prove the condition of the wage-earners
uliNlCl MY pClSObdi NOliiOi' NoHhS'
claim to have accomplished any lasting
result, but | have learned something
from my failures. 1t is only since
became connected with this company
however, that /"
rs this from the advance sheets OF
your biography" interrupted Mr.
Trundell. IF so, 1t seems a pity tt
anticipate what we shall all doubtless
read with pleasure"
Kennard turned like flash upon the
speaker, but chec'ed a retort and
merely gazed at him in silence for
moment.
The issues at stake. Mr.. Trundell
are too important for me to be dis
turbed by any personalities, and they
cannot be disposed of by ridicule. If