Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-31

| Boys, want to say. word befor
{ any of you go out. Al council of wa
, Is necessary at this minute"
: Those who had risen took seats again
i and all faced his way. As he looked
at them his throat filled'yith reaIiza
|, ton of their loyal service, and he could
not find voice for a few moments, bu
sat with bowed head, rolling bit OF
bread between his fingers. At last he
resoiutely cleared his throat and begar
harshly: "Well, boys, the game halts
right here. You see where Kelly &
Raymond are-they're fat We've got
good mine If we could work it. bu,
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 a little figuring
and I find we can pretty near pay all
| that's due you, but we can't do any
more. II this strike were settled we
might get somebody to come in and
! help us put up a new power plant, but
as things shape mp at this, present time
We're up a stump as they say back in
Ohio. So guess Wen have to let you
| CO." There was 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 l We're in your
places I 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 hinged. profanity in order
to conceal his good heart
"Well, don't knowIhow the rest of
you feel, but 1 wanti to turn right in
and put this mine int, shape again and
lynch the dogs that tllew us up,"
Raymond lifted his,hand. Hold on,
boys. Don't be too quick on the trig-
ger. Keep cool till Il ride up on the
hill and take a look around and have
little talk with Munro. We must
rally all the Independents, which will
take time, and, besides. you must re-
member 1 have n 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. 7 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. /
Pm paying you the highest wages go
ing because you earn it. You're, salts
fed, you say, and 1 don't see why we
are not privileged to go ahead IN our
own way. i 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 hand. Any
now, Wen 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 ]
ioubt. But be that as it may, boys,
shall never forget the good work
you've done for me when you knew the
.rowd was against you
AS they stepped out into the warm
afternoon sun Kelly, with jocular
tote in his voice. remarked, well,
Robbie, were gents at leisure. Nothing
o do now but play the nurse"-here
lis voice swiftly changed-"or do bat
le."
IF it We're not for the women and
he sick I'd fight. We have nothing to
ose now, and the boys are hot for it,
lave you been up the street,"
mo, 1 have not
81 don't see what we can do with
hese two wounded men and the boy
nd the women on our hands. Matt, n
ne real heart of this opposition is now +
1 one man. If he were taken away n
lese rowdy miners would scatter like +
rouse" =
Kelly turned quickly "You mean a
Iunro?'
II do, I'm going up to have an inter
lew with him." "
Kelly laid a big hand on his arm. 81
You're takin' a big risk. Let me go a
,stead.'
mo, you must stay here. / am going,
nd 1 am going unarmed. l am safer Il
18th empty hands. Matt. ISey will b
OF shoot an unarmed man. I'm going
, make one more appeal to Munro"
Mounting his horse, Raymond rode hi
lpidly out along the ridge toward the .a
III Oh WHICH the IOrllHcatlOn STOOD. OIL
lie passed now and then a group of is
len who knew him, and while one or In
vo greeted him pleasantly all the 9TH
$ met his glance with menace He In
1T the hot breath of their hate, but re
assed on without haste. regretting his b,
,tion in leaving his revolvers behind h,
IN. 81
The camp had eaten its midday meal ii
for even in times of war men must N
II; the miners had hastily devoured I'll
cir rough food and We're swarming OF
! the hillside overlooking the sheriff's sc
lcampment. The vedettes were biv- re
lacked in small grove of frs to the
TT and little below the fort (which m
as merely log corral banked with Y,
rt, and Munro was directing the 81
ovel brigade at work on the walls of w