The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-06-01
CHAPTER xIII.-(Continued.)

Better ask him yourself. But IL you
have any influence among the unions,
tell them to go slow. They haven't
sized up Bennington. Wait a moment.
Ill give you note to him" He called
for paper and envelopes and wrote:
Dear John: This will introduce to
you Mr.. Jordan, reporter in whim
have the greatest confidence. What
ever you may tell him rest assured
that he will never repeat. ! am send
| ing him to you in hopes he may suggest
some plan by which to ward off the
| impending strike. There may be little
self-interest on my side. A strike just
| now will raise the devil in politics. You
| must trust Jordan fully. Warrington.
| He pushed it across the table.
| There, that will smooth the way"
MANY thanks, my son. Where's he
eat his lunch?"
| Usually in the Office"
| We'll, I'm off"
Ben always had his eye on the story
of Tomorrow, and he would face all
or any difficulties in pursuit Of the end.
| Ii he could stop the strike at the Ben
nington shops it would be great thing
for the Telegraph and great thing
| for Ben So he hailed car, serenely
unconscious that he was taking pos
ition absolutely opposed to that of his
employer. He arrived at the shope
some time before the noon hour. His
/
was in his private office. He read the
letter and offered Ben chair.
| II have never been interviewed" he
said
Il am not here for an interview"
said Ben. Your men will go out Mon
day.
Monday? How did you learn that"
my business takes me among the
unions. What shall you do in the event
of the strike.?"
viewed"
You read Mr.. warrington's letter.
Perhaps, If / knew what stand you. will
take, could talk to the men my self.
i have averted three or four strikes
In my time simply because the boys
know that / always speak the truth.
the plain truth. In this case / feel
You haven't said anything yet. The
union is practically trying to bluff you
into coming to its terms: the discharge
Of the inventor or strike"
Are you representing the union?"
II am representing nobody but my
self"
IT may tell you then, that shall not
dicharge the inventor. Nor will I, If
the men go out, take single one of
them back"
1.-THE men will not believe that. They
never do. They have been so success
full in Pennsylvania that they are at
tempting to repeat that success all over
the country. They have grown pig
headed. feel sorry for the poor devils,
who never realize when they are we'll
Off"
II feel sorry. too, Mr. Jordan" said
Bennington. He played a tattoo on his
strong white teeth with his pencil.
-Mr. Warrington seems to know you
WELL"
1--WE began on the Journal together.
You will not tell me what your plan is,
them"
I'D rather not, for, honestly, l can
not see how 1t would better the case"
1T might be worth while to give me
q chance"
Bennington re-read Warrington
note. Then he studied the frank blue
eyes Of the reporter.
Miss Ward, you may CO." he said
to the stenographer. Now,"-when the
girl had gone,-"will you give me your
word?"
IT'S all I have
How can YOU convince the men
without telling them?"
"Oh, I meant that whatever you tell
me shall not see light in the papers
till ] have your permission. There's
a weekly meeting tonight. They will
decide finally at this meeting. Tomor-
row will be too late"
Bennington was an accurate Judge OF
men. He felt that he could trust this
shock headed journalist. If without any
loss Of self-respect, IL without recedins
a single step from his position, he
could avert the crash, he would gladly
do so. He had reached one determine
ton, and nothing on earth would
swerve him. So he told Ben just ex-
actly what would happen IL the men
went out. Ben did not doubt him for
/ Ia nth tn nd
q Judge Of men. This man would never
back down.
II give you this to show them, II
your arguments do not prevail" con-
cluded Bennington, producing a folded
paper. "They will hardly doubt this
Ben opened 1t. It was permit from
the municipal government to tear
down brick structure within !he
city limits. Ben slowed the permit ir
his pocket. He looked with admiration
at the man who could plan, coolly and
quietly, the destruction of q fortune
that had taken a quarter OF a century
to build. He was grave. There was g
big responsibility pressing on his shout.
ders.
Much obliged. You will never regre,
the confidence you repose in me. Nov
Til tell you something on my side. I,
Is not the inventor, though the men be-
lieve 1t is. The inventor is a pretex,
OI NQOTTl5bys SuC iCooCI.
"A pretext?"
IT can't prove what I say, that's the
trouble; but McQuade has his hand II
this. I wish to heaven could And sol.
i'd proofs"
"McQuade?" Bennington scowied. HI
could readily understand now. Nc
} Quade! This was McQuade's revenge
He could wait patiently all this while
"Tll do what ] can, Mr.. Bennington
I'll do what / can"
That particular branch Of the loca
unions which was represented in tn,
Bennington steel mills met in the lof
of one of the brick buildings off thu
main street. Morrissy called the meet
} ing to order at $3.50. He spoke brief,
of the injustice of the employers, 10
cally and elsewhere. of the burdens
the laboring man had always born,
and would always bear, so long as h,
! | declined to demand his rights. TIL,
men cheered him. Many had bee,
drinking freely. Morrissy stated tn
case against Bennington. He used hi
words adroitly and spoke with the al
, | of a man who regrets exceedingly {
disagreeable duty.
From his seat in the rear, Jordan
watcher him, following each wore
| closely, He saw that Morrissy knew
his business thoroughly.
Wen get what we want, men; w
always do. 1t isn't matter Of money
it's principle. II we back down, we ar