Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-02-20
HAMLIN GARLAND
CHAPTER Xxx.


mond was lonely, almost to the
point of despair. To have both
1 Ann and Louis taken out of his
life on the same day left a painfully
empty space. He did not permit him.
self to hope that Ann would return
he had, in fact, advised against it
and after his supper was over he sal
beside the fire listening to the wind and
pulling at his pipe like one deserted
Of his kind.
It had turned cold, and great cur
rent Of air was sweeping down from
the peak, a movement portending some
great change in the clouds. Kelly pre-
dicted snow, but as most of the outside
work on the mine was done he was not
concerned about the weather. He was
in fact, taking account of himself and
irving to address himself to future
without "Hesper." The glow Of his
pride had died out. The confidence
which sprang from his possession OF
gold had dulled into doubt.
AS he sat thus, bordering over his
problem. he heard voices, and a mo-
ment later a loud rap shook his door
ominous with decisiveness of stroke
Come inv' he shouted somewhat
surlily, for he did not enjoy Interrupt.
ton.
Munro, Brock, Carter and one or two
others he didn't know entered, covered
with snow.
Good evening, gentlemen" He In
dicated chairs. What can I do fol
you this EVENING""
Carter seemed very nervous and took
a seat without looking at his host
Munro was smiling, but his eyes were
aslant as he replied:
"Oh, we just called to pass the time
Of night and inquire about your good
health"
Raymond glanced from Munro's wag
gish lips to the frowning or troubled
faces of the other men and braced him
self for trouble.
"Out with it, Carter! What do yot
want Of me?"
Carter tidgeted on his chair. 'Well
you see, it's this way, Rob: We held
a meeting today, and we decided thai
in view of the struggle that labor !:
making here all the mines should either
shut down or put their men into the
ranks"
"You have asked my men to Join
haven't your"
Eyes"
what did they say?'
Munro Clipped in, "They said, &c
to blazes'"
Raymond smiled. GLOW impolite Of
them! Well, now, let me say once
again, Carter, am in sympathy will
your main objects. l think a maj
should be paid for every minute ht
works, but don't believe in any meth
cd of forcing men who are working
and want to work into strike. cam
afford to go into any such organiza
ton"
"You can't afford not to-" growled
Brock.
His tone angered Raymond. "Wha1
have you to say in this matterY
'I'm member of tire executive com
mittee."
.'Since when?"
mo matter when. What say goes
'Does it? Well, you keep civil
tongue in your jaws when speaking t.
me-"
Brock rose. you'll close down to
morrow or we'll close you down."
Raymond faced him. I'VE will no
close down, and you can't close III
down. Carter knows, and you know
Jack, I've played fair in this. have
not believed in your methods. stood
with Larned, your own organizer
against violence. If you can't convince
my men by argument you needn't come
to me to dragon them into your ranks
What difference will my hands max,
anyway"
Carter seized upon this. ut viii
make all the difference there is. Their
are dozen of these small OPERATOR
holding out because you and Kelly do
Your men are all strong men ant
ought to be with us. Besides, 1t weak
ems our discipline
Raymond interrupted. We've beer
all over that before. am not concern
ed with your discipline. l have nj
quarrel with my men. They are salts
fed with our present arrangement
You're going at this back end to. L
you would turn your attention to re
forming mining laws and crushing ou
these speculative owners of mining
lands, you would really be doing some
thing, but your assault on men who arr
paving labor full wages weakens you
case''
Kelly opened the door and entered
while Raymond was speaking.
whats the meaning Of all this ?
he asked.
Raymond coldly replied, 'These mel
have come to serve a final notice OF
US to discharge our nonunion men o.
shut down."
"Not ut all!'' cried out Carter, wht
feared Kelly. Cali we ask is that yot
recommend your men to join the I'm
ion"-
Brock sprang to his feet again. "Oh
rats! What's the use beating around
the bush? We know that you fellers
are the backbone of the free miners
association and that they would al
come in If you said 50, and we need
you and your men. We want you t.
head 'ep, o11r waY"