Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-04-19

IL 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 know1
He was not left long In doubt. The
next morning shortly after he arrived
at the office he heard the heavy shuf.
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 a hint of anger in his
eyes. The whole proceeding smacked
OF insolence. The men were in their
shirt sleeves and overalls and had Oh
their hats. Stokes put up his hand and
took Off his hat. The others accepted
this as signal and one after another
removed theirs Then followed a mo-
mentary shuAing as they punched
closer. Several who looked as If they
would just So soon be somewhere else
breathed deep and hard. The Office
force-Kerr, Holt and Miss Walton
suspended their various tasks and
stood up so as not to miss anything
that was said or done.
SfnEna tOn1v
ed his throat as If to speak. Then he
looked at his comrades, who looked
back their encouragement at him.
I'VE want a word with you, Mr.. Oak.
ley" said he.
What have you to say"
We'll, sir, we got a grievance" be-
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 Il
loose tongue. The men nudged each
other. They knew Mike would have
his say
ITS just this, Mr.. Oakley: There's
man in the carpenter shop who's got
TO get ont. We won't work with him
no longerr'
That's right" muttered one or two
G the men under their breath
Whom do you mean?' asked Oakley.
and his tone was tense and strenuous,
FOR he knew. There v'at an awkward
silence. Braryon e1ce-el his hat a
rifle nervously. A. last he said dog,
gedly:
THE man who's got to go is your ia.
ther."
"Why?" asked Oakley, sinking his
voice. He guessed what was coming
next, but the question seemed dragged
from him. He had to ask II.
I'VE got nothing against you, Mr..
Oakley, but we won't work in the same
shop with convicted criminal"
That's right" muttered the chorus
Of men again.
0akley's face flushed scarlet Then
every scrap Of color left 1t.
Get out on here" he ordered hotly.
Don't we get our answer demand
ed Branyon.
While the interview was In progress
McClintock had entered and now stood
at the opposite end of the room, an at
tentlve listener.
mol" cried Oakley hoarsely. "Tn
put whom | please TO work In the
shops Leave the room, all Of you"
The men retreated before his fury,
their self confidence rather dashed by
It. One by one they backed shcepishly
out of the door, Branyon being the last
to leave As he quilted the room he
called to Dan:
Wen give you until tomorrow to
think it over. But the Old mans got
to go"
McClntock promptly followed Bran
yon, AMI Clarence LJ'ted after him
He was in time to witness the unCork-
Ing of the master mechanics walls Of
wrath ana to hear the hot exchange Of
words which followed.
you can count your days with the
Huckleberry numbered, Branyon," he
said. I'm hanged if I'll have you un-
der me after this
Wen see about that" retorted
Branyon roughly. Talks cheap"
whats the old man ever done to
you. you Internal lOafer"
Shut up, Milt, and keep your shirt
on" said Stokes In what he intended
should be conciliatory tones. I'VE only
want our rights"
"Well have 'em. too" said Branyon,
shaking his head ominously. I'VE amt
dagoes or Polacks we're American
mechanics, and we know our rights
You're a sneak. Branyon! what's
he ever done to you; You needn't be
SO particular about the old mans rec
ord You know ~ much about the in-
s.Lc Of a prison as he does"
You're q lidrr Nevertheless Nc
Clintock spoke only the truth. At
Branyons last word he smashed his
fist into the middle Of the carpenters
sour yisase with a heavy. sickenlng
thud. No man called him a liar and
got away with IT,
Gee" gasped the closely attentive
but critical Clarence what a soak
er" Branyon fell up against the side
Of the building near which they were
stanilag Otherwise he would have
gone his length upon the ground, and
81. L. Hv NNaaa