The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-10-24


began to lift them out two By two IN
the big bucket.
Ann, hearing their shouts, came down
the path with Nora to meet them. kel-
!, ly's eyes were dim with tears. and
AIMS heart went out to him as he
shouted, .'They are all here, and un,
hurt!w
aBut you are hurt?" she asked Ray
mond, with anxious, timorous voice,
| peering at his torn and trembling
hands.
"No-only tired. How is the pa
tienty' he asked as they started to-
ward the cabin together.
"He is awake, but his pulse is still
rapid, and he is very restless"
what does the doctor say?"
'He insists there is no danger. I
think he means it. But, oh, that poor
! boy is so sickr' She checked herself.
'E,!vhis This viii he & very serious loss to
you. VIII ic sot:"
He strove to answer lightly. 'toa
yes; but our vein is there Just the
same Luckily they couldn't blow that
away, waI.",,------,.--..-.--1-------------
At the door of the bungalow he turn
ed. Il must leave you for time. I
must repair damages"-he looked at
his hands and arms-"and i want to
talk with my men,
Raymond found his men in the bar
rack, discussing with characteristic
calmness the general situation while
waiting for their dinner. And when
Perry shouted grub pile'' in COW camp
phrase each man hustled to his place
with cheerful clatter. Raymond drew
up with the rest, and for a few minutes
no word spoken referred to the disas-
ter.
AS the first man, we'll filed, pushed
back his chair Raymond called out:
Boys, 1 want to say word before
any of you out. A council of war
is necessary a. this minute
Those who had risen took seats again,
and all faced his way. As he looked
at them his throat filed with a realiza-
ton cf their loyal service, and he could
not find voice for few moments, but
sat with bowed head, rolling BIT Of
bread between his fingers At last he
resolutely cleared his throat and began
harshly: "Well, boys, the game halts
right here. You see where Kelly &
Raymond are-they're fat. We've got
a good mine if we could work it. but
we can't Just about every dollar we
had to spare went into that machinery,
and our ore shipments were just begin
ming. I've been doing little figuring,
and I find we can pretty near pay all
that's due you, but we can't do any
more. If this strike were. settled we
might get somebody to come in and
help us put up new power plant, but
as things shape up at this present time
we're up stump as they say back in
Ohio. So guess We'll have to let you
60" There was movement among
the men which he felt as protest, but
he continued: 81 hate to do this, espe
cially now in the winter, but you can
see how it is. If I were in your
places I would go to Reese and the 9TH
er Independents and stick by 'em: help
them fight this thing through on fair
play lines
His slight pause brought no response.
When he hogan again his voice was
softened. and. boys, ride up and tell
Matt gool word. He's hard hit"
His voice trembled dangerously, and
he was forced to stop
The tension was eased away by
Nary, one Of the older men. who broke
out with deeo lunged profanity in order
to concea! lis sod heart.
well. don't know how the rest of
you feel, but l want to turn right in
and put this mine into shape again and
lynch the dogs that blew us up"
Raymond lifted his hand. Hold on,
boys. Don't be too quick on the trig-
ger. Keep cool till ride up on the
hill and take look around and have
little talk with Munro. We must
rally all the Independents, which will
take time, and, besides, you must re-
member I have very sick boy on my
hands. and there is Baker, who needs
care. Don't rush. Let me go up and
see what the sheriff seems likely to do.
AS I've told you before, I've no theory
about the labor question. I never was