The Green Forest tribune., 1910-01-14
An Unofficial Strike
Copyright, by Short Stories Co.,, Ltd)
By UNA HUDSON


 ally busy hands were folded idly in her lap. A bit of bright colored rib bon was twisted in her hair, and in her freshly ironed blue dress and starched white apron she presented sc 1 festive an appearance that involun | tarily Dennis cast his eyes over the room in search of the company he cealed. But he saw only Molly and young Dennis, awed into unaccus- toned good behavior and sitting stiff | ly on the hard little sofa with the baby between them. Maggie greeted him beamingly.
 Sure, and I'm on strike, meself, 1 she explained. Its eight hours want, an I'll do no more washing, sayin' yer own and the bits O things for the children" ,"
 Dennis slumped weakly into a chair. Its not eight hours work ye've done this day, Maggie Murphy" he pro- tested
 "Indade, then an it is." Maggie in sisted. T cooked yer breakfast, Den his, and l gave the children a bath"
 We're never after calling that work, Maggie, darlin'," Dennis objected in a tone of deep disgust.
 "Indade and it was hard work, " Maggie protested, and the three on the sofa nodded a vigorous assent.
 Dennis abandoned the argument
 Pm after wonderin where the moneys to come from while the | strikes on" he said, gloomily. Mag gie rocked placidly, and smoothed out the crease in her apron. There's enough money put by to last out the week" she said. An be- like by that time the strike will be off"
 But Dennis knew that she referred to the official strike, and his heart was heavy within him.
 Three days went by, and the official strike was still on; the unofficial one ditto.
 Sure an it's a grand thing to only work eight hours,' Maggie said. q don't blame ye for strikin', Dennis. An with the washin' off my hands feel that aisy and rested like An I've plenty of time to see to the chill dren. They do be the cIeanest in the block these days"
 But Dennis scowled fiercely, for the question of money was becoming serious one, and the strike wore upon his nerves.
 Nine hours work ain't too much for man." he muttered, mo, nor ten, either" And Maggie knew that she had scored point
 The next day Dennis became diplo- matic. Tt does me heart good to see ye these days, Maggie darlin'; we're lookin' so foine an rosy like. But I am wonderin how it'll be when the moneys all gone and yell have to stop atin'. Yer good looks will be leavin' ye then, Maggie, darlin'."
 Sure an me good looks is all owin' to the rest that I'm after havin'," Mag gie replied with spirit An if I must give up the food that I'm atin' or the rest that I'm havin', it's the food I'll be after goin' without, Den his Murphy"
 And Dennis realized that the unoffi- cial strike had come to stay.
 At supper the next day Maggie served generous helpings of savory stew
 Sure an ye must ate all ye can," she said, flor now the money do be all gone an there's nothin' left for the mornin' but some bread an cold pertatoes."
 An it's the hard-hearted woman ye are, Maggie Murphy, to sit by and see yer children so hungry when ye might aisy be earnin' money by takin' in bit of washin'."
 Sure an they're yer children. too. Dennis Murphy" Maggie flung back. An it's your place to be earnin' money I'll cook for them an wash their bits of clothes an look after them good and faithful, but not a finge" will l ever lift again to earn money
 And that night Dennis went heavy hearted to bed, for he knew that the unofficial strike had won.
 Hurry up wid me breakfast. Mag gie darlin',' he said the next morning. /, Pm after goin' back to me work this mornin', An I'll lave the union. bad cess to them. Sure, an it's lowerin' to a mans dignity to be ordered round by them unions. I'll not be standin' it no more"
 We're a foine man, Dennis, that ye are, an it's meself that's proud of ye this day" Maggie said
 And Dennis felt that he had chosen | well