The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1909-08-06
waer" Nothing Carry
Tramp to

Water?"
get out of our jobs. You can go back
to your work or you can stand right
here with me till we get our rights.
What?"
Half a dozen men began talking at
once The derrickman from below, a
hatchet-faced wiper, with the visor of
a greasy cap cooked over his ear,
stuck his head between the uprights
and called out shrilly: What's er
matter, Murray" and few men
laughed. Barney had deserted the
mules. Dancing and Young, with small
regard for loss or damage, were
emptying the wagon like deckhands.
for in u fight such as now appeared
imminent, possession of the goods
even on the ground seemed vital to
prestige. McCloud waited only long
enough to assure the emptying of the
wagon, and then followed Sinclair to
where he had assembled his men.
Sinclair, put your men back to work"
Not till VIC know just how we
stand" Sinclair answered, insolently.
He continued to speak, but McCloud
turned to the men. ''Roys, go back to
your work. Your boss and can set
tie our own differences. I'll see that
you lose nothing by working hard"
And you'll see we make nothing,
won't you?" suggested Karg.
I'm see that every man in the crew
gets twice what is coming to him-all
except you, Karg. ! discharge you
now. Sinclair, will you go back to
work?"
moi"
Then take your time. Any men
that want to go back to work may
step over to the SWITCH" added Nc
Cloud.
Not man moved. Sinclair and Karg
smiled at each other, and with no ap.
parent embarrassment McCloud him
self smiled. 81 like to see meu loyal
to their bosses" he said, good-natured-
ly Il wouldn't give much for man
that wouldn't stick to his boss IL he
thought him right. But question has
come up here, boys, that must be set
tied once for all. This wreck-looting
on the mountain division is going to
stop-right here-at this particular
wreck. On that point there is no room
for discussion. Now, any man that
agrees with me ON that matter may
step over here and I'll discuss with
him any other grievance. II what say
about looting is a grievance, it can't
be discussed. Is there any man that
wants to come over?" No man
stirred.
Sinclair, you've got good men,"
continued McCloud, unmoved. you
are leading them into pretty deep wa
ter. There's chance yet for you to
get them out Of serious trouble If you
think as much of them as they do Of
you. Will you advise them to 60
back to work--all except Karg?"
Sinclair glared in high humor. ooh,
I couldn't do that! I'm discharged"
he protested, bowling low.
don't want to be overhasty," re-
turned McCloud. This Is serious
business, as you know better than
they do. and there will never be as
good a time to fix 1t up as now.
There is a chance for you, say, Sin.
clair. to take hold If you want to
row"
Why, I'll take hold II you'll take
your nose out, of my business and
agree to keep 1t out
Is there any man here that wants
to go back to work for the compapy?"
continued McCloud, evenly. 1t was
one man against 30; McCloud saw
there was not the shadowsof chance
!! to win the strikers over. "This lets
all Of You out, you understand, boys"
he added; "and you can never work
again for the company on this division
II you don't take hold now"
Boys" exclaimed Sinclair, better
humored every moment, .Ill guaran-
tee you work ON this division when all
the fresh superintendent are run out
Of the country. and I'll lay this matter
before Bucks himself. and don't you
forget tt"
You will have q chilly job Of IT,"
interpossd McCloud.
$50 will you, my hearty. before you
got trains running past here," re-
tortsd tho wrscking boss. Come on,
boys"
The disaRected men drew Oh. The
emptied wagon. Its load scattered on
the ground. stood deserted on the hill