The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-08-09
CHAPTER MI

CHAPTER NJ.
""AY," Clarence blurted out,
there's going to be a strike!"
Oakley glanced up from his
- writing.
What's that you are telling me,
Clarence?"
There's going to be a strike, Mr..
Oakley
Dan smiled good naturally at the
boy.
Il 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 a fellow who was there.
He told me-"
''Sit down. said Oakley, pushing
chair toward him.
Nov, what is it?" as soon as he was
seated. And Clarence, editing his
"reminiscences as he saw fit, gave a
tolerably truthful account of his con-
versation With Spide. The source of
his information, its general incomplete
ness and the frequent divergences oc-
casioned by the boys attempt to in
corporate into the narrative a satisfac
tory reason for his own presence in the
yards, did not detract from it's value
in Oa,lleys estimation The mere fact
that the men had held meeting was
in itself significant. Such a thing was
new to Antioch, as yet unvisited by la
Dor troubles.
what is that you say about my ia
ther| For he had rather lost track
of the story and caught at the sudden
mention of his fathers name
''spide says they got it in for him. I
can't just remember what he did say.
1t was something or other Griff Ryder
knows about him. It's funny, but it's
clean gone out of my head, Mr.. Oakley
Oakley started 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 deputation
from the carpenter shop led by Joe
Stokes and Branyon entered the room
For moment or so the men stood in
abashed silence about the door and
then moved over to his desk.
Oakley pushed back his chair and as
they approached came slowly to his
| feet. There was hint of anger in his
eyes. The whole proceeding smacked
of insolence. The men We're in their
shirt sleeves and overalls and had on
their hats. Stokes put up his hand and
took off his hat. The others accepted
this as a signal and one after another
removed theirs. Then followed mo-
mentary shutting as they punched
closer. Several who looked as if they
would just as soon be somewhere else
breathed deep and hard. The Office
force-KerI. 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 if to speak Then he
looked at his comrades, who looked
back their encoura cement at him.
Eve want word with you, Mr. Oak
ley" said he.
what have you to say?"
"Well, sir, we got a grievance" bt.
gan Stokes weakly, but Branyon push
ed him to one side hastily and took his
place. He was stockily built Irish
American, with plenty of nerve and ;
loose tongue. The men nudged cacl
other. They knew Mike would have
his say.
Its just this, Mr.. Oakley: There.
n man in the carpenter shop who's GO
to get out. We won't work with hin
no longer"
THAT'S right" muttered one or tws
of the men under their breath.
"Whom do you mean" asked Oakley
and his tone was tense and strenuous
for he knew. There was an awkward
silence. Branyon fingered his hat I,
trifle nervously. at last he sail Cog
gedly:
Their"
Why" asked Oakley, sinking Iii
voice. He guessed what was comm: