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

charge that fellow Blixer last night. We
can depend on him. for he hasn't any griev-
ance, and there is no such thing as scare
| in the huge frame and slow mind. And l
think perhaps a few others will remain
with us If we can persuade fifty to stay
we can tide over the tight place until the
strikers will be glad to accept our terms
Blixer already has considerable influence
over certain of the men, and will be valu-
able help. 1t fortunate that he was
not here last night when we looked over
his apers.'
| At the stockyards they found an ncreas-
| ing crowd of strikers, and in their midst,
| towering head and shoulders above the
| others, was Blixer. Apparently his slow
| wits had found stimulus, for while yet four
| or five blocks away they could hear the
clear, decorating reports of his words, ex-
| ploding like small firearms; and as they
| drew nearer they could see one of his huge
! fists dropping from time to time into the
other palm like a sledge hammer. The
| managers face cleared.
That fellows something worth while,
| he declared emphatically even with the
| losses consequent upon his incompetency.
! If he brings that gang around it Will be
| well worth another promotion, and good
] one"
| But as they approa ched yet nearer and
saw the expressions of the faces turned
| toward them. and began to catch the
words of Blxer, the managers face sud
! denly darkened.
Good heavens! if he hasn't Joined the
| strikers toor he calculated. Who could
have believed it, after the way we have
| treated him! The scoundrel!'
AS he saw them BliXer's huge fist ceased
it's piston rod emphasis, and he came
straight toward them, thrusting the crowd
! unceremoniously to the right and left
''Mornin', manager. an the rest OF ye'
he said affably. I've been waitin' to speak
a few words"
80 l noticed" coldly, land they seemed
very much to the purpose. l hardly eX-
pected to hear such sentiments from you,
though. Blixer.'
'Why?" innocently, and with the half
closed eyes opening with something ike
surprise.
because we have treated you very we'll
| l think Surely, you could find no griev-
ance against US, with two promotions and
a corresponding increase of salary IN the
space of ten days.
oh that" simply. and with a dismissing
wave of his hand. One man don [ count IN
thing like this; it's the whole lot. You
cut wages when twant right. l know jest
what's been paid the ranch for cattle, an
its the same you've paid the last two years.
An the freights the same, an you get jest
as big prices for beef. There want no rea-
son nor right to cut, an wages must go
back like they was.
Because you say So I suppose?'
mo; because the whole lot of US say so.
Your business can't go on without work
men,.
1T can STOP then" grimly. But l eX-
pect we shall find some way to keep going.
/ suppose you also demand short hours and
union men and all the rest-though I didn't
know you belonged TO a union, Blixer.
Il don't" calmly. Il believe in every
man workin as he thinks best, an man
who gets good wages ought to work jest as
he's told an not mind the hours. That
what l was talkin' to 'em out there about.
It's only your wages cuttin' that I'm
strikin' for. That wan right
The manager had turned away and was
entering the office. Blxer made a quick
stride forward and dropped a heavy hand
upon his shoulder swinging him half
around.
Listen to my say first. manager he in
sisted. you've done well by me, like you
said-too well. But I'm only one an this
is for the whole lot, an it's right. 'Tain't
helpin' me any; 1 was havin' big wages,
an Tom Bakers goin' to stand by you in
the yards. an Pauline always stands by
her father. Mebbe you know what that
means to me, an mebbe you don't, but it
doesn't matter. This is for the whole lot
an it's right. Now, I'm boardn with a
man who's got seven children. an two of