Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1906-10-02
work1ngnan.,.

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
I'LL the streets are a sorry threat to q
decent man, let alone 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 1t out Is another
story"
Because ye're one o. them," answer
ed Kelly. You boast of your power.
Ye're 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 political issue of
yourselves, but lave Raymond and Kel-
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 ye win; if you
lave it ye lose. am for peace. I've
done everything man could do to
kape the peace;I must do so. Every
thing ! have in the world is here-the
milne, me wife and the babies. I want
20 quarrel with amy man, especially
with a miner, for have worked for
wages half me life. but tell ye once
more, boys. this mob business must
not circle round that little cabin over
there. II wan Of your loafers so much
as puts his toe against my door I'll kill
him where he stands"
He ended with hoarse intensity
that silenced the men who listened,
and after pause Raymond remarked,
very quietly:
II stand with Kelly on this matter.
Is there anything further you want to
say?"'.
Brock shook bis heavy shoulders, as
Y to clear himself of a weight, and
clumsily rose. u reckon that's all
you stay out?"
"We 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 IL we all stood aside?"
n don't know" said Kelly. "There
are wise men who have studied this
problem-Hennery Cargo, for instance
-ye might look into his way. I'm dom
sure your ways of Violence viii never
Sure the eyil."
A they stood on the threshold Brock
spoke with vicious sheer, well re-
port your answer"
AS the door closed behind them Ray
mond turned to Kelly with look Of
great solemnity. Matt, this means
war for VS."
"Munro will stand between us and
the union"
Y doubt It, Matt. His power will
vanish the moment he goes against the
wishes Of the miners. He couldn't
feed his men and their horses without
the union. He Ia in their pay, for all
his boastng."
Kelly looked thoughtful. "That is
true"
"Matt, you better take the wife and
babies down to the valley"
I've spoken Of that, but the little
wife will not go without me,i
..Then you must go. It Is not safe
for them here, The people below are in
deadly earnest, They're coming up
here with an army next time. You bet
ter take your little family and get out"
II can't do that. can't leave here.
Do you take the wife and the boys
down to the Springs while 1 stay here
and see that the Werk goes dn.a
They tossed this duty to and fro.
each arguing in favor Of the other, till
Raymond said, Very well; let's leave
It to the WIFE"
As they stepped out into the night
Kelly cried out: Here comes the snow.
Munro's pickets have a hard night be-
fore 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,
.r,m glad you've come. she said.
mi. heart Is lonely without Ann. Do
you think she'll ever come back. Rob?"
:! hope So" be replied. but his voice
had no heartiness of conviction in it.
I'm glad she's away-just now,"
said Kelly, coming straight to business,
as usual. "And Rob thinks you'd better
go down to the Springs also.".,
And leave YOU herh Matt Kelly? ]
will' not. You'd he sure to get into
trouble at once, If ! SO, you CO."
Kelly looked at Raymond with
comical lift of one eyebrow. "That set
ties five stayp'
There's going to be trouble" warn,
ed Raymond, ..and you ought not to be
here. Mrs, Kelly"
"The fightin' will not be on the hill.
You said SO yerself, Matt"
II did, and think SO still, but at the