The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-08-29
CHAPTER NJ.

there's going TO be strike!
Oakley glanced up from his
~ writing.
What's that YOU are telling me,
Clarence:
There's going to be strike, Mr..
Oakley"
Dan smiled good naturedly at the
boy.
II guess that has blown over. Clar-
ence," he said kindly
mo, it amt The men had meet
ing last night 1t WAS in the room over
Jack Britt's saloon. I've just been
talking with fellow who was there.
He told me-
sit down" said Oakley. pushing a
chair toward him.
"Now what is iti' as soon rs he was
seated. And Clarence. editing his
"reminiscences as lie saw lit. gave
tolerably truthful account Of his con-
versation with Spide. The source Of
his information. its general incomplete.
ness and the frequent divergenceS 0c.
casioned by tho boys attempt to In.
corporate INFO the narrative n satlsfac-
tory reason for his own presence in the
yards. did not detract from its value
in Oakley's estimation. The mere fact
that the men had held meeting was
In itself Significant. Such 81 thing was
| new to Antioch, rs yet unvisted by la.
Dor tropbleS
What is tl'It you say about my ia
ther:" For L" had rather lost track
Of the story AID caught at the sudden
mention of his fathers name.
"Spide says tLey got ii in for him.
can't just rel-ember what lie did cay.
| 1t was something or other Griff Ryder
knows about him. It's funny but it'a
! clean gone out of ms head. Mr.. Oakley"
Oakley starred What could Ryder
know about his father: What could
any one know
He was not left long in doubt. The
next morning shortly after he arrived
at the Office he heard the heavy shut.
fling of many feet on the narrow plat
form outside his door. and a deputation
from the carpenter shop led by Joe
| Stokes and Branyou entered the room.
/ For moment OF 50 the men stood in
abashel silence about the door and
then moved oycr TO his desk
Oakley pushed back his chair and az
/ they approached came slowly to his
/ feet. There was hint Of anger in his
! eyes The whole proceeding smacked
! of insoenre The men We're In their
shirt sleeves and overalls and had on
their hats. Stokes put NJ his hand and
took off his hat Tie others accepted
! this as a signal and one after another
removed theirs Then followed q mo.
mentary shutting as they punched
closer. Several who looked as IL they
would just ~ soon be somewhere else
breathed deep and hard. The Office
i force Kerr. Holt and Miss Walton
suspended their various tasks and
stood up SO as not to miss anything
that WAS said or done.
Stokes took a step forward and clear
ed his throat as il to speak Then he
looked al his comrades. who looked
| back their encouragement Mt him.
I'VE want 4 word with you. Mr.. Oak.
ley" said lie
WHAT lave you TO say"
We'll sir. We got grievance" be-
gan Stohrs '.takly, but Branyon push.
ed him e C''s. side hastily and took his
place !. 81 pcklly built Irish
American Nf'i plenty OF nerve and a
loose tongue The men nudged each
other They knew Mike would have
his say
Its just ibis. Mr. Oakley: There's
man ia the carpenter shop who's got
10 get oct We won't work with him
no longer"'
That's r,ghl.' muttered one or two
Of the men under their breath.
Whom do You meant" asked Oakley,
and his tone was tense and strenuous.
for he knew. There was an awkward
silence. Branyon fingered his hat q
trifie nervousiy At last he said dog.
gedly:
1.-THE man who's got to go is your IA
Their"
Why asked Oakley. sinking his
voice. He Guessed what was coming
next, but the question seemed dragged
from him. lie had 10 ask it,
I'VE got nothing against you, Mr.
Oakley, but we won't work i'll the same
shop with a convicted criminal"
'That's right" mnitered the chorus
of men again.
Oakley's faee flushed scarlet Then
every scrap OF color left IT,
Get out OF here he ordered holly.
Don't we get our ans wer:" demand.
ed Branyon.
While the interview was in progress
McClintock had entered and now stood
at the opposite end OF the room, an at.
tentive listener
Nor cried Oakley hoarsely. III
put whom | please to work In the
shops. Leave the room. all OF youT"
The men retreatcd before his fury,
their self confidence rather dashed by
It. One by one they backed sheeplshly
out OF the door. Branyon being the last