Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-05-11

the limit Of our resources command
u.s."
Ann, with unaccountable lightness OF
spirit, quickly protested. "Now, please
don't make company Of me. am go
ing to earn my living by helping Mrs.
Kelly about the house. My bed was
very comfortable and my breakfast de-
licious. What else do, / require? One
needn't ask how you are. You look to
be perfectly well again."
Louis stared at his sister and was
about to make some revealing remark
when Raymond interviewed. 1--WE are
very glad to have you in camp, but you
must not suffer inconvenience"
T've been thinking perhaps 1t would
do me good to suffer hardship" she an
swered, with a reflective glance.
He considered moment before chang
, ing the subject Everything seems
quiet up street this morning. so our
trouble may blow over. / am going
up by and by and will report on what
is brewing in the saloons. They are the
storm centers. I'm sorry Don started
to come in, and hope he will go quiet
" back and forget the whole Incident
"Tell me about the camp. What Is
the trouble all about? ] can't under
stand" she said.
SITS quite simple" replied Raymond.
"The county is about equally divided
now between the miners Of the peak
and the citizens of the plain. The
peaks interests are not those OF the
Springs, and it has resented for a year
the domination of the Springs. The
owners of the mines are either resi-
dents of the plain or Of the east and
violently opposed to the politics Of the
camp. Barnett's man, Mackay, at
tempted to reorganize the working
hours of the camp and failed. You
know of the mishandling he received"
"What are they going to do nOwp
81 don't know. AS the case stands,
the camp is hot against any invasion
by the sheriff and "a mob of hirelings,'
as they call his deputies, and his at
tempt to overawe the camp only Great
ed more furious resistance. / will be
able to tell better what the outcome
will be when | learn What the union
has decided to do. Thus far 1t has been
q game of bluff on the part Of dozen
men who are not strictly miners at all.
and the question of wages has had lit
lie attention. 1 am going up now to
see what is going on"
AS Raymond entered the street the
peace and beauty of the Kelly home
and the vision Of the two women bent
peacefully above their sewing stood
away in radiant contrast above the
reeking saloons, the reckless crowds
and the rows of drink inflamed men
lounging along each bar.
The lovers senses, sharpened by
AIMS presence in the camp, detected
more sinister change in the temper
of the men. Up to this time all that
had taken place had been jocular, at
least on the surface, but the sheriff's
threatened invasion with q hundred
hired thugs stirred the red fires OF
wrath in men like Hanley, Brock and
Collingwood, who had hitherto been
but onlCQkers, and they were now the
melting centers of men talking loudly
and with undisguised fury.
Hanley, perceiving Raymond at the
door, approached to say: Zone of Num-
ro's vedettes intercepted that kid Of
yours last night and got word that Don
Barnett was on his way up here. You
better warn him Off"
Raymond resented his tone, but cold
ly replied: "The boy was mistaken.
Barnett turned back at Grand View"
Some one plucked him by the arm,
and, following his guide, Raymond en-
tered the room used as the office Of the
union, where he found Carter, the
president, and Larned, the organizer,
in the miGSt of hot argument with
Munro, Smith and group Of others Of
their sort. Larned was shaking with
excitement and rage, and Carter, the
little president looked white and
scared.
Munro, with a grin, said: "COme in,
Rob. This is q council Of war"
Raymond entered calmly, his head
little bent, his keen eyes studying ev-
cry face. whats it all about"
ho nd
ing, the veins on his forehead bullying,
his eyes restless and fevered. IF they
do It," he said, II leave-I get out. l
will not countenance lawlessness Of
this sort. I'm not fool. I know what
the effect will be. If they turn back
this posse the state militia will be
called out. came to organize union
to meet the coming question Of labor
and capital. I did not come here to
form mobs. l refuse to sanction 1t. I
will not have a thing to do with 1t. II
you make this raid leave the camp"
Raymond spoke. "I'm not involved
in the present disagreement, SO that
my advice is disinterested, but as
you've ridden up and asked me / give
it as my opinion that Larned is right.
You can stand off a sheriff once or
twice, and you might even stand of
regiment Of militia, but you can't stand
off the United States army, and that's
what you'll run up against in the end.
Jack, you ought to have sense enough
to keep out of this"
Munro smiled. "Pm only the mill
tary arm of government. I'm not max
ing laws; execute them"
"Why not call meeting and put 1t
to q voter asked Smith.
II know why" replied Brock. "Lar-
ned is afraid it will carry"
Larned leaped to his feet. II admit
I'll I don't want the word to 90 out