The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-12-10

SVVAAAA
tine In argument with them, he 'ap-
preached to demand an explanation,
whereupon the quarter breed held out
4 silver dollar in his palm with the
words:
"These men say this money no good"
'what do you mean?"
ut no good. No can buy grub at
company store"
It was evident that even Constan-
tine was vaguely distrustful.
Another native extended coin, say
ing:
I'VE want. money like this
Boyd took the piece and examined it,
whereupon a light broke upon him.
The coin was stamped with the initials
Of one Of the old fishing companies,
and he instantly recognized a ruse
practiced in the north during the days
Of the first trading concerns. It had
been the custom Of these companies to
pay their Indians in coins bearing
their own impress and to refuse all
other specie at their posts, thus CON-
polling the natives to trade at CON-
pany stores. Seeing that his words
carried no conviction, Emerson gave
up at last, saying:
If the company store won't take the
money I'll sell you whatever you need
from the commissary. We are not 60
ing to have any trouble over little
thing like this"
He marched the natives In body to
the storehouse, where he saw to it that
they received what provisions they
needed and assisted them In loading
their canoes.
gave way to uneasiness on the follow
ing morning when the Aleuts failed to
report for work, and by noon his anx-
1ety resolved itself into strong sus-
picion.
Bait had returned from the banks
earlier in the morning with news Of
struggle between his white crew and
Marsh's men. Georges boats had been
surrounded during the night, nets had
been cut and several encounters had
occurred, resulting in serious injury to
his men. The giant, in no amiable
mood, hadreturned for endorsements,
stating that the situation was becom-
ing more serious every hour. Hearing
Of the desertion Of the natives, he
burst into profanity, then armed HIM
self and returned to the banks, while
Boyd, now thoroughly alarmed, took a
launch and sped up the river to Cher
rvs house in the hope that she could
prevail upon her own recruits to re-
turn.
He found the girl ready to accom-
pany him, and they were about to en-
bark when Chakawana came running
from the house as If in sudden fright.
"Where you go?" she asked her mis-
tress.
II am going to the Indian village.
You stay here"
mo, no! no stop here alone. go
Tong too" She cast glance over her
shoulder.
"But, Chakawana, what is the mat
ter? Are you afraid?" 49,,
EYES," Chakawana nodded her pref
ty head vigorously.
''What are you afraid off," Boyd
asked, but she merely stared at him
with eyes as black and round as OK
heart cherries, then renewed her en-
| treaty. When she had received per-
mission and had hurried back to the
| house her mistress remarked, with a
puzzled frown:
Il don't know what to make of her.
She and Constantine have been acting
very strangely of late. She used to be
the happiest sort Of creature, always
laughing and singing, but she has
changed entirely during the last few
weeks. Both she and Constantine are
forever whispering to each other and
skulking about until I am getting
nervous myself" Then, as the Indian
girl came flying back with her tiny
baby brother in her arms, Cherry add
ed: "She's pretty, isn't she? 1 can't
bear ugly people around me-"
At the native village, in spite of
every effort she and Boyd could make,
the Indians refused to go back to
work.
"since they can't use your money at
the store, they don't seem to care
whether it is good or not" Cherry an
nounced after a time. "Oh, but it's
maddening!'' She stamped her foot
angrily. "And was so proud Of my
! work. I thought I had really done
something to help at last. But don't
know what more we can do. I've
reached the end of my rope"
$50 have l." he confessed. Gwen
with those fifty Aleuts we weren't run.
ming at more than half capacity, but
we were making a showing at least
Now!" He flung up his hands in a
gesture Of despair. George Is in
trouble, as usual. Marsh's men have
cut our nets, and the yacht may ar.
rive at any time"
'The yacht! What yacht?'
~Mr. Wayland's yacht. He is max
ing tour of this coast with the other
officers of the trust and-Mildred"
| isis she coming herer demanded