The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-07-28
TRUE STORY Of LIFE
ON DESERTED ISLAND
How Ten Workingmen and 8
+ Banker Started Out After
Shipwreck on Old System.
Bankers Selfishness Drove Work.
ingmen to Strike-Formed
New Commonwealth.

Ten men were shipwrecked near g.
pleasant island. One was carpenter
one a mason, one fisherman and an
other hunter, and others of the crew
beside the steward were laborers. The
banker had been q passenger. He was
nearly drowned in his frantic effort to
save his gold as the ship sank. But
he was finally rescued with his
ers who needed his piteous cries. The
carpenter fioated his chest. and the
mason, the hunter and the fisherman
also saved the implements Of their
crafts.
After they had all swan ashore in
little while the warm sun dried them
and their exhaustion passed away. The
zest of life returned, the banker re-
Stunning his keen business sagacity. first
of all. He, as we'll as the rest Of them,
congratulated himself for his rescue,
especially because he had saved his
money.
Here" he said, I'll set you all to
work. You mason and carpenter, get
stone and logs and build a hut; you
hunter and fisher, go get game and
fish; and steward, gather materials for
fire and cooking-theres clay yonder
for dishware. You laborers help build
the hut, and I'll pay each of you 81 a
day for your work."
All were delighted. Used to receiving
orders, the men accepted the money
masters proposition. glad to get job
so soon. with sure pay at the end OF
II MI
their different tasks.
Toward nightfall the hut was con-
structed a sufficient shelter and pro-
lection against wild beasts and
weather. The hunter and the fisher
man came home laden with their catch
The steward cooked a savory meal and
all, hungry, prepared to sit on the rude
benches around the larger one on
which the feast was spread, to en-
Joy 1t.
There was much rejoicing, even 10.
via1ity, at the prospect The banker
however. kept his dignity, and sat him.
self at the head of the table.
"Just one moment" said he, blandly
| as If grace were to be uttered, 81
must pay all Of you for your days
work, although it has been shorter thar
it must be hereafter" Thereupon he
took from his bag and paid a small
two-bit piece to each man.
There" said he, i've paid ever,
one of you for what you've done
it all mine now I've paid for it, ISM
! it?'
True enough! They could but &C
knowledge the fact. According t
fasting may be good for dyspeptics; bu
he had performed his part, they theirs
and the fruits of their labors were his
They had their wages. =:
"Y-e-s," they replied in uneven
chorus a bit obviously.
well. hold on, suppers are a dolla
a plate he announced.
This unexpected statement rathe
; surprised the hungry men. They wer'
so voracious that they did not realiz'
the Jacob and Esau aspect Of the occa
sion. But as supper was better thar
gold just then, each handed over hi
dollar and appetite made the bes
sauce for that banquet.
After little some Of the laborer
began to nod and fall asleep, then al
yawned and reclined on the floor o
the hut.
Il suppose, in charity, I must lie
you sleep in her tonight" said tn
owner of the hut; well make anothe
for you to rent Tomorrow" he addet
to himself,
But the steward, who was rinsint
the last rude dish overheard both re
marks, and this aroused his reasoninf
powers. He touched the doing car
penter on the arm and led him out
side, where they held little labo
council.
The result of that talk was: Earl,
next morning, instead of breakfast,
meeting of all but the banker (wh,
still slept. and the formation of a la
Dor union. The next proceeding wa
a resolve to strike for higher pay.
One of the laborers, shiftless fel
low. seeing a. chance to CURRY favo
with the capitalist land be at tn,
same time what a college presiden
calls "hero") turned renegade ant
offered the banker his services a.