Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-06-09
CHAPTER xIII.-(Continued.)

N"'~ ohJ AlilAOSllS0 cifiOLlS liz uiiioAAS,
tell them to go slow. They haven't
sized up Bennington. Wait a moment.
III give you a note to him" He called
for paper and envelopes and wrote:
Dear John: This will introduce to
you Mr.. Jordan. a 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 a little
self-interest on my side. A strike just
now will raise the devil in politics. You
must trust Jordan fully. Warrington.
He pushed 1T across the table.
There, that will smooth the way"
Many thanks, my son. Where's he
eat his lunch?"
Usually in the Office"
Well. 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 a great thing
for the Telegraph and a great thing
for Ben. So he hailed q car, serenely
unconscious that he was taking a pos
ition absolutely opposed to that Of his
employer. He arrived at the shope
some time before the noon hour. His
letter opened all doors. Bennington
was in his private office. He read the
letter n offered Ben a chair.
Il have never been interviewed" he
said.
II 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 he event
OF the strike. 2"
"ArI T hn,ya M loEy.a IN ha fnfar-
viewed"
"You read Mr.. Warrington's letter.
Perhaps, if l knew what stand you will
take, i could talk to the men my self.
/ have averted three or -four strikes
in my time simply because the boys
know that l always speak the truth,
the plain truth. In this case l feel
that you nave the right on your side.
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 a strike"
Are o representing the anion?"
II am representing nobody but my
self"
II may tell you then, that / shall not
dicharge the inventor. MOI will / If
the men go out, TAX a single one, of
them back"
1.-THE men will not believe that. They
never do. They nave been so success
full in Pennsylvania that they are at
tempting to repeat that success all over
the country. They have grown pig
headed. l feel sorry for the poor devils,
who never realize when they are well
Off"
~ 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"
I'VE began on the Journal together.
You WILL not tell me what your plan is,
them"
I'D rather not, for, honestly, l "a
not see how 1t would better the case"
ut might be worth while to give me
q chance"
Bennington re-read W~arrington's
note. Then he studied the frank blue
eyes Of the reporter.
Miss Ward, you may 60" he said
10 the stenographer. Now,"-when the
girl had gone,-"will you give me your
word2"
Its 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 l ave your permission. There's
a weekly meeting tonight. They will
decide finally at this meeting. Tomor-
| EOW WIZ DC tOO ldlS.
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 receding
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 If the men
went out. Ben did not doubt him for
q moment. He, too, was something Of
q judge of men. This man would never
back down.
IT give you this to show them, If
your arguments do not prevail" con-
cluded Bennington, producing a folded
paper. "They win hardly doubt this"
Ben opened 1t. 1t was a permit from
the municipal government to tear
down a brick structure within the
city limits. Ben slowed the permit in
his pocket. He looked with admiration
at the man who could plan, coolly and
quietly, the destruction of a fortune
that had taken a quarter OF a century
to build. He was grave. There was a
big responsibility pressing on his shout
ders.
Much obliged. You will never regret
the confidence o repose In me. Now
I'll tell o something on my side. 1t
is not the inventor, though the men be-
L llGN6 IL ID. III ittAilOl 10 a pICLcAL
of Morrissy. the union leader"
"A pretext?"
81 can't prove what I say, that's the
| trouble; but McQuade has his hand in
this. ! wish to heaven / could find SOL
Id proofs
"McQuader' Bennington scowled. He
could readily understand now. Nc
Quade! This was McQuade's revenge.
He could wait patiently all this while!
"Ill do what 1 can. Mr.. Bennington;
I'll do what ] can"
That particular branch OF the local
| unions which was represented in the
Bennington steel mills met In III loft
of one OF the brick buildings off the
| main street. Morrissy called the meet
ing TO order at $50. He spoke briefly
| OF the injustice Of the employers, To-
caIly and elsewhere. of the burdens
| the laboring man had always borne
| n would always bear, so long as he
declined to demand his rights. The
men cheered him. Many had been
drinking freely. Morrissy stated the
| case against Bennington. He used his
words adroitly and spoke with the air
| OF a man who regrets exceedingly a
disagreeable duty.
From his seat in the rear, Jordan
watcher him, following each word
| CLOSELY. He saw that Morrissy knew