Camas Prairie chronicle. [volume] (Cottonwood, Idaho) 1901-1917, 1911-03-10
CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.
In these days of slowing wheels and
silenced anvils South Tredegar had its
own troubles, and when some one tele-
phoned the editor of the Morning Trib-
une that Chiawasse Consolidated had
succumbed at last, he did not deem IT
worth while to inquire whether the
strike at Gordonia was the cause or the
consequence of the sudden shut down
But day or two later, when rumors
Of threatened violence began to trickle
in over the telephone wires, a Tribune
man called, In passing, at the general
ofices 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-
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
guard duty with his father, the two
Helgersons and a squad of the yard
men at the threatened plant, read q
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
flce desk to Caleb. "One of these fine
days I'm going to land that fellow
Dyckman in the penitentiary."
The iron master put on his specta-
cles and plodded slowly and conscien-
tiously through the editorial. turning
the paper, at length, to glance over
the headings on the Geographic page.
In the middle of 1t 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 q word. and Caleb
passed the paper back, with his thumb
on one of the press dispatches.
Read that" he said.
evoked by the foolish editorial gave
place to a 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. 1t 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 q wholesale indict-
ment OF the suspected officials were
rife. and the city offices were in a state
Of siege.
Tom put the paper down and smote
on the desk.
IT thought perhaps could give them
O run for their money"
your" said Caleb, removing his
glasses "How's that"
'.It was a shot in the dark, and I
didn't want to brag beforehand" he
explained. II wrestled 1t out Satur-
day night when I was tramping the
hills after Doc williams had brought
mother around. One member OF the
purchasing committee was ready 70
dodge; he gave me pointer before !
left Louisville. I didn't see anything
in 1t then but revenge: but afterward l
saw how we might spend some money
to a possible advantage"
IT reckon I'm sort o dull. Buddy;
what all did you do?"
wired the disgruntled one that
there was q letter and a check in the
nail for him to be followed by another
nd a bigger one IL his pole proved
oh ha MAJ inn q
The old Iron master left his chair
and began to walk the floor, six steps
and turn. After little he said:
"Tom, Is that business?"
.It In the modern definition OF 1t"
whats goin' to happen up yonder
in Indianys"
"If / knew, ia be a good bit easier
In my mind. What I'm hoping Ia that
the rumpus will be big enough to make
'em turn the contract out way"
"Where's your heart. Buddy? Would
Won 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-
oua tramp up and down the room. The
hardness in Toms voice unnerved him
After another interval of silence he
spoke again.
"I wish you hadn't done 1t. son. IT,
n dirty Job, any way you look at It,"
NORMAN says it's condition, not 9
theory; and he Is right. We are Hv,
ing under a new order OF things, and
IL we want to stay alive, we've got t.
conform to It 1t gagged me at flrst
1 reckon there are some traces of tn,
Christian tradition left But. pappy
I'm going to win. That is what Tn
here for. There is nothing for US to d.
but to sit tight and wait. If we get (
telegram from Indiana before thes,
idiots of ours lose their heads and e,
to rioting and burning. we shall still
have fighting chance. If not, we'r
smashed"
"You mustn't be too hard on tn
men, Buddy. They've been mighty pa
tent"
IF / could do what I'd like to, +,
IRE the last man OF them. It make
me savage to have them turn up an
knock US on the head after we've bee
sweating blood to pull through. Hav
you seen Ludlow"
Yes; I saw him last night He
right ugly; swore he wouldn't raise
hand even II the boys took ksrosen
and dynamite to us"