The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-10-21
FRANCIS LYNDE
CHAPTER XVI.

own troubles and when some one teie-
Dhoned the editor of the Morning Trib-
xne that Chiawasse Consolidated had.
succumbed at last he did not deem II
worth while to inquire whether the
strike at Gordonia was the cause or the
consequence Of the sudden shutdown.
But a day or two later, when rumors
OF threatened violence began to tr1ckle
In over the telephone wires. Tribune
man called, in passing, at the general
offices in the Coosa Building. and was
promptly put to sleep by the astute
Dyckman, who, for reasons of his own.
was quite willing to conceal the true
state of affairs. Yes, there was sus-
pension of active operations at Gordon
ia and he believed there had been some
hot-headed talk among the miners. But
there would be no trouble. Mr.. Farley
was at present in London negotiating
for English capital. When he should
return, the capital stock of the COM
pany would be increased. and the plant
would probably be removed to South
Tredegar and enlarged.
All Of which was duly jotted down to
be passed into the Tribune's archives;
and the following morning Tom. doing
q
Helgersons and squad of the yard
men at the threatened plant. read
pointless editorial in which misstate-
ment Of fact and sympathy for the alb
sent and struggling Farleys were
equally and impartially blended.
Look at that" he growled. wrath
fully, handing the paper across the Of
fee desk to Caleb. "One Of these ine
days I'm going to land that fellow
Dyckman in the penitentiary."
The iron-m ma ster put on his specta-
cles and plodded slowly and conscien-
tiously through the editorial. turning
tho paper, at length. to glance over
the headings on the Geographic page.
In the middle of it he looked up sud-
denly to say:
Son, what was the name o. that In
diany town with the big water-pipe
contract?"
Tom gave 1t In a word. and Caleb
passed the paper back, with his thumb
on one Of the press dispatches.
Read that" he said.
Tom read, and the wrathful scowl
evoked by the foolish editorial gave
place to fitting smile Of triumph.
There was trouble in the Indiana city
over the awarding Of the pipe contract
In some way unknown to the press re-
porter, it had leaked out that much
lower bid than the one accepted had
been ignored by the purchasing COM
mittee. A municipal election was
pending, and the people were up In
arms. Rumors of wholesale indict-
ment Of the suspected officials were
rife, and the city offices were In state
OF Siege.
Tom put the paper down and smote
on the desk.
II thought perhaps could give them
a run for their money"
Your said Caleb. removing dis
glasses. "How's that?"
TT was a shot in the dark. ana
didn't want to brag beforehand. ne
explained. Il wrestled 1t out Satur-
day night when I was tramping the
hills after Doc Williams had brought
another around. One member OF the
purchasing committee was ready 20
dodge: he gave me a pointer before
left Louisville. 1 didn't see anything
In II then but revenge; but afterward
saw how we might spend some money
to a possible advantage.
II reckon I'm sort o. dull, Buddy;
what-all did you do?"
wired the disgruntled one that
there was q letter and check In the
mail for him to be followed by another
and a bigger one if his pole proved
long enough to reach the persimmons."
The old iron-master left his chair
and began to walk the floor. six steps
and a turn. After little he said:
<~Tom ia that buSineSS!
~It ia the modern definition Of it,"
whats goin' to happen up yonder
In Indiany?"
".If knew, I'd be good bit easier
In my mind. What I'm hoping is that
the rumpus will be big enough to make
,em turn the contract out way"
where's your heart, Buddy? Would
vou take the chance Of sendin' these
fellows to jail for the sake Of gettin'
that contract?"
"Cheerfully," said Tom. They're ras-
Gals; could have bought them IL I'd
had money enough: and the other fell
low did buy them"
The old man resumed his monoton-
soua tramp up and down the room. The
hardness In Toms voice unnerved him.
After another interval of silence he
spoke again.
Il wish you hadn't done 1t, son. It's
n dirty job. any way you look at II"
Norman says It's condition. not =
theory; and he Is right. We are liv-
ing under new order Of things. and
AZ we want to stay alive, we've cot "a
conform to 1t. It gagged me at frst.
reckon there are some traces Of the
sChristian tradition left But. pannv
TIM going to win. That Is what rm
here for. There Is nothing for US to do
but to sit tight and wait. If we get I
telegram from Indiana before thess
idiots Of ours lose their heads and 3
to rioting and burning. we shall stil]
have a lighting chance. II not we.r,
smashed"
You mustn't be too hard on III,
men, Buddy. They've been mighty pa.
tient-"
IL could do what I'd like to. II
fre the last man OF them. 1t makes
me savage to have them turn up ant
Knock us on the head after we've bee,
sweating blood to pull through. Hav
ION seen Ludlow
les; saw him lat night ne,