Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-07-06
"Nhat does the doetop sapg"

What does the doctor sayy
Gle insists there is no danger
think he meaps it. But oh, that poor
boy is so sickr She checked herseil'
''This will be a very serious loss 10
you, will it notw
He str0ve to answer lightly. On
yes; but our vein is there just the
same. Luckily they couldn't blow that
away"
At the door of the bungalow he turn
ed. Il must leave you for u time.
must repair damages"-he looked at
his hands and arms-"and want 10
talk with my men,"
Raymond found his men In the bar
rack, discussing with characteristic
calmness the general situation While
waiting for their dinner And when
Perry shouted "grub pile" in cow camp
phrase each man hustled to his place
with cheerful clatter. Raymond drew
up with the rest, and for few minutes
no word spoken referred to the disas-
ter.
AS the first man, well filled, pushed
back his chair Raymond called out:
Boys, l want to say word before
any Of you go out. A council OF war
Is necessary at this minute"
Those who had risen took seats again,
and all faced his way. AS he looked
at them his throat filed with realiza-
ton of their loyal service, and he could
not find voice for few moments, but
sat with bowed head. rolling bit Of
bread between his fingers. At last he
resolutely cleared his throat and began
harshly: swell. boys, the game halts
right here You see where Kelly &
Raymond are-they're fiat. We've got
good mine If we could work it, but
we can't. Just about every dollar we
had to spare went into that machinery,
and our ore shipments were just begin
ming. I've been doing little figuring,
and / find we can pretty near pay all
that's Cue you, but we can't do any
more. If this strike were settled we
might get somebody to come in and
help us put up new power plant, but
as things shape up at this present time
were up stump as they say back in
Ohio. So guess we'll have to let you
60" There was a movement among
the men which he felt as protest, but
he continued: 81 hate to do this, espe-
cially now in the winter but you can
see how it is. If ] were in your
places would go to Reese and the 9th
| er independents and stick by 'em; help
them fight this thing through on fair
play lines"
His slight pause brought no response.
| When he began again his voice was
softened "And, boys, ride up and tell
Matt a good word. He's hard hit"
| His voice trembled dangerously, and
he was forced to stop.
The tension was eased away by
Nary, one Of the older men. who broke
out with deep lunged profanity in order
| to conceal his good heart.
"Well, / don't know how the rest Of
you feel, but 1 want to turn right in
and put this mine into shape again and
lynch the dogs that blew us up!"
| Raymond lifted his hand. Hold on,
boys Don't be too quick on the trig-
ger. Keep cool till 1 ride up on the
hill and take look around and have
a little talk with Munro. We must
rally all the independents, which will
take time, and, besides, you must re-
| member have very sick boy on my
| hands, and there is Baker, who needs
| care. Don't rush. Let me go up and
| see what the sheriff seems likely to do.
| AS I've told you before, I've no theory
| about the labor question. l never was
up against it before, and I'm little
uncertain. I've always believed in the
| best man winning. / picked you fell
| lows because you were likely chaps.
I'm paying you the highest wages go
| ing because you earn it. You're salts
fed, you say, and l don't see why we
are not privileged to go ahead in our
own way. | haven't felt any need OF
going into this fight for the benefit of
| the crowd till now. 1t looks now as
! though we should take a hand. Any
how. well give Munro another chance
| to do us justice, and if he don't, then
well, We'll try some other plan" He
shook off this disagreeable cloak Of
doubt. "But be that as it may, boys,
I shall never forget the good work
you've done for me when you knew the