Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-06-09
HALF A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author of The Man on the Box, The Puppet Crown, Hearts and Maska Etc.
Copyright gobbs-Merrn Co. indianapolis
By HAROLD MAC GRATH

is making enough money as things are
now. There's no need of Improvement,
such as will take bread and butter out
of our mouths, out OF the mouths OF
u wives and children. We've got to
strike. ThatN bring him TO his senses.
AT the conclusion he was loudly APP
plauded.
Jordan stood up and waited till the
noise had fully subsidized. Everybody
knew him. They had seen him stand
up before, and he always said some
thing worth listening to.
You all know me, boys" he began.
You bet."
You're all right"
Speech! Go aheadl'
Jordan caught Morrissy's eye. Nor
r1ssy nodded with bad grace. Jordan
spoke for half an hour. He repeated
word for word what Bennington had
told aim. In the end he was greeted
with laughter.
Very well, boys" he said, struggling.
It's none OF my business. You've
neve caught me lying yet. You don't
know this man Bennington. / believe
do. Hell make good his threat. Wait
and see"
6ow much were you paid to attend
THIS meeting?" demanded Morrissy,
sneering.
"A good deal less than you were. Mr..
MoTrlssy. There was a dangerous
Hush on Ben's cheeks, but the smoke
was SO n that Morrissy failed to
observe 1t. The men laughed again,
accepting Ben's retort as a price of ban
ter. ben went on ~doggedly. 81 have in
my pocket a permit to tear down the
SHOPS. Bennington gave ii to me TO
Look ct It, IL you doubt my
word. There 1t is"
Som eof the older men looked exceed
lngiy grave, but they were in the mi
nority.
Anybody can get a permit To tear
down his property" said Morris scorn-
fully. It's a big bluff, men. What!
Tear down the golden goose? Not in a
thousand years.! It's q plain bluff. And
I'm sorry to see a decent man like our
newspaper friend on the enemy's side"
IL l am on the enemy's side, Mr..
Morrissy, It's because I'm q friend of
every man here, save one" significant
". you men VIII vote a strike. 1 can
see n But you'll regret 1t to your
last day. I've nothing more to saw.
heiped you once when old man Ben
nlngton was alive, but / guess you've
forgotten It," Ben sat down In silence.
Wei proceed with the voting" said
Morrissy.
Half an hour later there was a cheer.
The men would go out Monday, If the
eSAHuAiNs VI the committee were not
acceded TO. The meeting broke up, and
many of the men f1ocked into the near
by saloons. Morrissy approached Ben.
who had waited for him. No one was
within earshot.
What do o mean by saying YOU
were paid less than / was ?" he said
his jaw protruding at an ugly angle.
i mean, Morrissy," answered Ben
fearlessly, that you had better move
carefully In the future. II I were Q
| wouldn't accept any unstamped en-
velopes In H~erculaneum. It would be
a good plan to go to some other town
for that" $3.50
Morrissy raised his fist.
stay where you are" warned Ben.
Selling q camp chair, "or I'll break your
head. Listen to me. I'm starting out
from this night on { o break you. and
III do II before the year is over. This
Is your last strike, so make the most
of 1t. Yeu were at Schmuck's the other
night, you and McQuade. There was a
friend OF mine on the other side of the
partition. Unfortunately this friend
was alone. I haven't. got any proofs,
but I'll get them"
Morrissy became yellower than his
diamonds. Ben flung aside his chair
and left the hall.