Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-17

the men that blew up the Red Star
that they'll be hung tomorrow morn
ing By that time I'll begin to believe
in you and your love for the honest
workingman."
Carter, utterly unable to stem the
flood of kelly's indignant speech, sat
with dropping head. He stammered.
'You-you're u traitor to labor"
81 am a traitor to nothing that is
good, but l am worn out and weary
with your yellin', cursln', gamblin' +,
drunken looms that assume to be work
men. / have more respect for the
weak little dagoes, for they do want
work and need it, but the buns that
fill the streets are sorry threat to a
decent man, let alone a decent woman.
And here's Jack Munro"-Kelly turned,
and the smile died out of the young
desperado'S face-"he's chief of gang
of hoodlum cowboys and still pretends
to be keepin' the peace. If you want
to help the cause of labor, Jack, me
boy, close the saloons while this strike
Is going on, protect the women and
children, arrest and throw out the men
that blew up the Red Star mine-you
know who they are
II do not" said Munro.
Kelly was lionlike in his wrath, and
the group of labor leaders covered be-
fore him like revealed conspirators.
Only Munro seemed unabashed.
That's all well enough to demand,
Matt, but to carry it out is another
story
Because ye're one o. them" answer
ed Kelly. You boast of your power.
Ye're a man of education-some say
military education. You know what
discipline is, but when it comes to con-
trolling your men from insulting
strangers and abusing women you set
down. Now. listen to me. This is
my last word on this subject. We are
neutral. We have had no part in this
row, and we will take none. Go on,
work out ye're jackass plan, rouse the
whole state, make a political issue of
yourselves, but lave Raymond and KEEL
ly out OF it. Lave our men alone. They
are satisfied and earnin' good wages.
AS for my good advice, take it or
lave it. II you take it We win; If you
lave it We lose. L am for peace. I've
done everything a man could do to
kape the peace; l must do SO. Every
thing | have in the world is here-the
mine, me wife and the babies l want
no quarrel with amy man, especially
with q miner, for l have worked for
wages half me life, but L tell We once
more, boys. this mob business must
not circle round that little cabin over
there If wan of your loafers so much
as puts his toe against my door Ill Kill
him where he stands"
He ended with a hoarse intensity |
that silenced the men who listened, |
and after pause Raymond remarked,
very quietly:
Il stand with Kelly on this matter. |
Is there anything further you want to |
say?" !
Brock shook his heavy shoulders, as |
if to clear himself of Il weight, and
rose. Il reckon that's all
you stay out!'
I'VE stand clear" said Raymond.
Carter fumbled for his hat. 'Of |
course you mustn't think we blame |
YOU. Kelly. You are right enough from |
your point of view. but what would be-
come of labor if we all stood aside"
Il don't know" said Kelly. There
are wise men who have studied this
-Hennery Cargo. for instance
we might look into his way. I'm dom
sure your ways of violence will never
cure the evil
As they stood Oh the threshold Brock
spoke with vicious sneer, well re-
port your answer"
As the door closed behind them Ray
mond turned to Kelly with a look Of
great solemnity. Matt, this means
war for us"
Munro will stand between us and
lie union"
Il doubt it. Matt. His power viii
vanish the moment he goes against the
wishes of the miners. He couldn't
feed his men and their horses without
he union. He is in their pay, for all
MS Boosting"
Kelly looked thoughtful THAT is
rue"
Matt, you better take the wife and
babies down to the valley"
"Ive spoken of that, but the little
wife will not go without me-"
Then you must go. 1t is not safe
Tor them here. The people below are In
leadly earnest. They're coming up
lere with an army next time. You bet
er take your little family and get out
81 can't do that. / can't leave here.
Do you take the wife and the boys
lown to the Springs while 1 stay here
md see that the work goes on
They tossed this duty to and fro.
zach arguing in favor Of the other. till
Raymond said, Every well; let's leave
[ to the wife"
AS they stepped out into the night
Kelly cried out: Here comes the snow.
,Iunro's pickets have a hard night be-
ore them"
Kelly's sons were fast asleep in their
bed, but the small mother still sat at
her sewing, her head haloed with lamp
light.
I'm glad you've come" she said.
My heart is lonely without Ann. Do
-ou think she'll ever come back. Robr'
=, tool