davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
Organization of the
Workers a Necessity
Open Letter From Conerade ConeN

sells back to us the necessaries OF
hle at an eNhorbitant price, if we
We're organized industrialy they
could not do this If he raised the
prices OF commodities. we could de-
m1nd and get an increase equal
TO the amount he raised on com
modities. Take our own state. WHY
nave we not won our strikes for
better conditions and prices? Be
cause We were divided into era IT
unions and the railway men pulled
the scabs to take our jobs and then
pulled the ScaD coal to market. thus
helping to defeat the mine workers.
through the sacredness of contract.
Had he been industrially organized
ne simply would have refused to
Fun transport men, or to pull the
coal made and loaded by these
transport men. You see the present
trade agreements forces us to sea b
on each other in holding sacred the
agreement at the expense of those
injured. SO in every crisis in this
state the railway men had yearly
contracts with them, therefore they
We're fulfilling their contracts and
thus whipped the miner each time.
Yours for Socialism and Indus
trial Unionism,
w rApD,JT
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
High Society
Disiipates !
Daily Papers Discrim-
mates

some time ago a house of uues-
tlonable reputation was pulled on
upper Washington street and four
couples We're taken out but we fail
Cd TO see any account OF it in ou7.
daily papers or the report of the
police court But we know the rea-
son. These four couples belonged
TO the Smart Set" They were the
dudes and dudesses of Charleston
The sons and daughters of the idle
rich. Some of our best society. 1t
would never do to exrose their rot
tenness, but if it had been some
poor little salesgiri who had to work
lot S1.oo a week or some factory
Slrl or house girl who was comDell-
cd TO work for their board and had
to sell their bodies to cloth them
selves. our dailes would have given
this incident front page space with
big head. But the little brothers
and sisters of the rich, these social
parasites and prostitutes are i'm
mune from the criticism of cap
talistic press. Necessity did not
drive these society bellies to prosti-
tute their bodies. They did it for pure
cussedness and the world should
know Just how rotten and corrupt
our supposed good people are. There
is more prostitution in high society
than there is in the red light dis
tricts of our cities. The idle rich
who turn up their noses at the Door
and common people are morally un-
fit to shine their shoes. The rich
resort to immortality and debauch-
cry for the lack of something to do
and to pass the time The poor are
driven to it through necessity, both
are victims Of corrupt system
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
(To Editor of Labor Argus. !,

ISL
Our comrade Ed. Pierce, recording
secretary for aur Socialist Local of
l'South Charleston, w. Va, left this
town. the 18th OF June, 1911, to 90
TO work, and meet his brother on
the way to Dakota
The 24th of June, 1911, he was in
Kansas City where he was found
murdered and robbed.
His identity and residence was
made known by his Socialist men,
bership card of the South Charles
ton Local which he carried with him.
ana by the name of the financial sec
retary which is on every card. and
who was notified by telegram of
Pierces death; the parents were
told the sad news
Mr.. jake Pierce, father of our de-
ceased cpmrade.. thus notified. in
stantly made all arrangements that
was necessary to have the remains
sent hogne, and also asked the aid Of
tn e members of this local
The officers. John De11er. Jules
Mlchayax and Jos. Brigode made all
arrangements necessary for the
1uner al, which took place Thursday.
June t2sth, 1911. at 3 P. NJ.
-hS'rtiuS OF the members took Dlace
at p. m. in their local where they
formed in line, at the head of which
were the officers and a delegation
from Charleston loca1, having with
them cushion of flowers with this
inscription:
70 our Comrade, From the South
Charleston Socialist Local" and
marched TO the house of the deceas
ed and In the same order to the
ceneteFy, they headed the funeral.
On the grave OF our Comrade
Pierce. Comrade Michaux, financial
secretary: of our local, read a speech.
given below.
10 hn1sh, want to remark that
aur Comrade Pierce die not belong
to any Of the Republican, Democrat
or prohibition parties, for he knew
that thSsaeparties oniy know us, the
workers on election days, and all
we get out of them is hand shakes,
and they don't care for the poor
devils, even If they are voting their
tickets.
All workers, hearing this example
or Socialist system and of Socialism,
should not hesitate one minute to
JOIN the Socialist party which is the
party of the working class.
JOS. BRIGODE,
treasurer and first organizer oil
South Charleston Socialist Local.
Friends
In the name of our Socialist local
of South Charleston b,,,o ,o,,o -
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
UNIDENTIFIED BYHLS
SOCZALITS CARD
Whole No. 264

give last homage to our regretted
Comrade, Ed. Pierce "a
When coldly, we consider what
HE Is. shiver creeps on us when
we see how delicate is the thread
which upholds it.
For all OF us who must toll every
instant for the necessities of life. all
moments of cheer are very short in
deed, every day has it's pains. To-
day we have made 1t our duty to
take one of ours to his last resting
pace. "A loss so cruel cannot be
thought of. The sadness of life now
Tor the stricken family, is so much
bigger that he was In the prime of
life.
Our regretted Comrade. Ed. Pierce,
was our most active member and sec
retary of our local. He was devoted
10 the cause of the workers, He
knew how to make everyone love
hlm. and he was respected by all
MS brother workers, and by his de-
votion and honorability: how big is
the loss to the working class. "
Last Monday. news terrible was
spreading like a trail OF powder on
fire Our regretted Comrade was
dead! 1t was for all a crushing
blow and brought sadness to every
hedrt. everything seemed dark 1t
was as If a black veil was spread
over us; everything seemed cold; it
was as if n cloak of ice was clingine
to our shoulders.
only a few days ago our unfortu-
nate Comrade Pierce left us, full Of.
ne and gaiety. He had left us to
TO go to his death. The unfortunate
never thought that death was as
sembllng such brutal force that was
to sever the thread of life. In the
spirit of life when all was smiling
to him.
The bereaved family, father,
mother. brothers and sisters, chill
dren and friends. show by their sor-
row how much they regret that
death had come so soon to take from
us our dear regretted true friend.
our poor Comrade was always at
tached to the principles and beliefs
which guided him through his life
or honesty: his memory cherished by
all those who knew him
These moments of awful sepera-
ton for every one of the family Is
appalling. and the consolation of his
old and new friends is offered them.
10 the unfortunate and bereaved
FAMILY let our show of esteem and
sympathy be proof that we take
part in their SORROWS. SO big and so
deep, and tighten their burden of
Dear regretted Ed in the name of
the Socialist party and all your
friends, Rest in Peace.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
WHAT ABOUT THE CAP1rALIsr2

We will change the ownership of
capital 0arge machinery and the
necessary raw materially from pri-
vate hands to public in whatever
manner will cause the least friction
at the time. 1t would be Utopian for
the Socialists to take any other posi-
ton. For we have no personal
grudge aginst any individuals. When
we have won, we will not exploit the
capitalist because he has exploited
us; we will do for him what we will
do for ourselves-give him a nice
pleasant job and the full social value
of his labor. Will we compensate
him for his former services in the
ripening process of capitliSm? Will
we recognize his former holdings as
a capitalist owner of the means of
life? That may depend materially on
how he conducts himself If he
proves himself worthy. he may IT
he rebels like the old slave-owners.
he may get NOTHING, as they did.
And will there be a chance for
brains under Socialism? Yes, in
| deed. We want to use our brains
more and our heels less!
Frederick Guy Strickland.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
JEWISH LABOR WORLD

The Jewish comrades of Chicago
at great sacrifice have built up and
maintained this publication during
the last three years. 1t is an eight
page weekly, devoted to Socialism
and trade unionism. The subscrip-
tion price is S1.O0 year. so cents
for six months. The publication all
so maintains we'll equipped jobb-
ing plant and the comrades every
where are requested to secure SUBJ
Scriptions and place printing orders
with the Jewish Labor World, ad-
dress, liza Blue Island Avenue
Chicago Ill
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06

Comrade Jas. P. Larsen Secretary
of Local Cook County, Gl1.,) reports
tnat at special meeting of the
Cook County Delegate Committee
held Sunday, June 25th. the follow
lag action was passed:
hat the secretary be inst.ucted
10 "1-!fy the National OfEce of tt 9
Socialist tarty TO remove the name
oi the Christian, Socialist c.cTn t1.a
lits Of Socialist papers. in the NJ
ticaa: ErIiistin.
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06
NOTICE TO COMRADES.

Local Charleston will meet Sum
day, July 9th, 3 =. NJ. at 6O7 Va.
st. Business of Importance to come
before the Local. New officials to
be elected and other Important mat
tiers. All members OF Local Char
lesion are requested to he present
G. II. Boswell. Secy
The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1911-07-06

In tie name of our Socialist loca,
of South Charleston, I have come to
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

that she had when he first her. and her face
set in it like within He felt this vainy
poisoning beauty with pang. The human rebellion
against waste moved him.
AS they walked back together he began laying out
of simple reading for her when he should be gone
Lefty looked down at the dead leaves that her feet
stirring. They gave forth a sad odor She said,
"Mh-mh, Mimi at intervals. Suddenly she looked
up "You amt goin very-soon, you?" she said.
When Innes answered, she looked down at the dead
leaves again and said nothing
They reached snake fence, strengthened with
brush. 1t difficult climb and he offered to help
her But she shook her head then, attempting
alone slipped and cut her hand of the sharply
trimmed twigs
@Oh-nie!" she said in piteous little voice like
child which is hurt after being hurt already.
"What shame! What beastly shame!" exclaimed
nnes, full of sympathy and trying to stanch the ragged
cut with his handkerchief. He was astonished when
she pushed away his hand rudely.
"Why, Letty!" he said and at this the girl put her
head down the fence and began to strange with
silent sobs Innes felt the sharpness of diemnas horn
1t uncomfortable seat How to descend? Should
he try console her. to with her. should he
merely remain silent until she had controlled herself?
Poor Lefty showed sign of controlling herself She
sobbed and struggling to catch her breath noise
lessly, to hold steady her convulsed shoulders
Suddenly Innes could bear it longer. He took her
hand which erked and twisted in his trying to release
itself. and held it tightly don't Lefty, don't" he
said. His voice warm and plying, much warmer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

fool evy time 1 open book, a paper event" She
flung her arm across her eyes; then suddenly lowered it,
and began pulling down the sleeves her bare
@'Tain't nobodys fault, though she ended sadly.
THIS little scene, rooted deep in the pathetic human
sense of right to what it needs the origin of
an idea which Innes formed that night and discussed
next day with John Rhodes Two evenings later he
seated before round table covered with red and green
striped cloth in the living room of the Mill House.
Opposite him sat Lefty, her cheeks like autumn
maple leaves her throat visibly pusng above its red
merino collar, her lower lip whitened by the sharp
edges of her teeth She to have her first real draft
of knowledge from one who knew "Oh, most evy-
thing l reckon" she had told her husband when he
informed her of this wonderful idea.
Innes has brought with him for this first evening
simple grammar and his mothers schoolgirl copy of
Tennyson in blue and silver. He opened the
grammar and turned the first lesson, embarrassed
himself as any schoolgirl. @Perhaps you had better
come and sit by me, Mrs. Rhodes, he said annoyed
to hear himself stammer.
But though Lettys cheeks scarlet and her eyes
gem bright, she was too elated for embarrassment.
She came quickly drawing her chair his, and they
were deep in the ntcaces of the English language
John Rhodes sat in big deal-chair by the chimney
side and smoked his old bar with quiet thoroug
Outside, the November wind and fell through its
Wild acknowledgement diapason. The little windows
shook The inner door kept up low mutering against
its leather threaded atchpin, though communing
with itself in suy dsapproval of the ntrudng guest
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

than he had intended to be- He heard this tone in it,
vet could not alter it, indeed, went more warmly
than ever you're giving such pain, Lefty! Please,
please don't cry!" AS She continued sobbing, he put
one hand on her shoulder. @Please-please" he said
again. Then he felt her twist under his hand, and the
tremulous touch of hot tear-wet lips on it. "Poor
little child You mustn't do that" he said uncertainty,
and lifted up her face with the hand that she had kissed
1t flushed and slvered with tears, but stormily
beautiful The big tragic eyes of animal suffering
in ignorance of causes flashed up at him with pent
anger.
3You mustn't look like that" he heard himself say
ing stupidity enough. He thought that he would kiss
her cheek gently, reassurngly- was such baby,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

ITO get some more wood" said Rhodes and closed
the door behind him.
Presently he came back with an armful of logs and
mended the roaring fire.
The lesson lasted until ten.
THE settlement of his fathers estate held Innes for
sometime in Virginia. and every evening during the
next three weeks he to the Mill House and
read grammar and poetry with Lefty Rhodes-an odd
mixture rather symbolic of life
One afternoon he got letter which made him de-
eide to leave for New York within week. He went
for long tramp up the "home mountain" to think
things and his way back overlook Lefty where
the woods burned reddes She had the scarlet hood
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

But the great beech logs burned
jovially. Trim curtains of turkey
red sheltered the trembling win
dows. On the whitewashed wall
was a warm picture of summer,
from which shone a cottage of
real mother of pearl cunningly
adjusted. Johns big setter Nick
lay twitching in sportsman's
slumber at his feet. Two sleek,
tortoise shell cats were curled
Spoon fashion on chair in the
other inglenook. Like the heart
of the kind house, the-ol walnut
clock licked sturdily above the
mantel.
Rhodes watched the pair at the
table with tranquil, ruminative
satisfaction. One of his chief
pleasures lay in finding his fellow
beings likeworthy. He thought it
good of Innes to give Lefty these
evening lessons, and the sense of
goodness in others always reused
in him a double joy,-that in the
goodness itself, and also in the
realization of a proved theory.
3You needn't tell mel" he used
to say. "The devil himself has
a sneakin' pleasure when a man
resists him. He amt pure devil.
A little bit O heaven stuck to him
when he fell through.
Lefty thought this blasphe-
nous; but John only smiled at her
in silence.
He watched them now, con-
tented, placid, with a sound diges-
ton and the soothing flow of
smoke on his palate. Then he
leaned forward to toss back coal
that had fallen on the hearth, and
a pang of rheumatism caught him
in the back. The next moment
this thought flashed through him:
@How young they are!'
He sat with his hand against
his back and, smoking steadily,
regarded them in new light. No
rheumatism for them this many
a long year to come! They were
young. Letty-why, Lefty looked
a child, spelling out words at the
end of lines pencil, laundering,
catching herself up, her face one
flush, her lips trembling now and
then.
And all at once John Rhodes
felt that he was old, and that age
was intolerable. He got up and
went to the door.
@Where you goin', john
asked Lefty, startled.
ITO get some more wood" saio
the door behind him.
Presently he came back with a
mended the roaring fire.
The lesson lasted until ten.
"HE catt1a,,,ent If b;c father'c
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-19

TNNES struck match and lighted his bedroom can
die He noticed still curiousy that his hand did not
shake. Then he looked up at John Rhodes. Both men
pale; but beyond that there nothing unusual
in the appearance of either However, lines some
thing much dangerous than excitement in the
others eyes. He knew that this man demanded plain,
direct dealing.
SWELL" he said @what is it,"
dts Lefty" said John Rhodes.
Il thought SO, replied Innes He had not meant to
say this. 1t if the other had required it OF him
and he had answered
Rhodes looked directly him. and his eyes, though
hard flint, held certain appreciation. Il thought
you'd take it like this, else l wouldn't come to you
he then said @Peope might hold that such things don't
happen; but ones happening right now"
Innes looked steadily back at him; but said nothing.
Rhodes standing at the foot of the bed with his
hands in his pockets Innes sitting up in bed with
one arm on the table where his pistol had lain Neither
thought in that moment of the srangeness of the sua
Continued page II
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-08

householder collapsed like punctured tire.
The man looked down with conjunction
on his fallen foe, picked up the wreck of his
camera, patted a pup that would not get out
of his way, and withdrew. When he had
passed the rear line of bulls, he looked back,
and saw, to his infinite satisfaction, that his
stroke had been less effective than he had
feared The householder, slowly recovering,
was lifting up his dauntless head, scanning
his family to see that none was stolen, and
once more, though still somewhat family,
roaring his defiance to all corners. When,
few days later, the satisfied hunters left the
island, the householder could not but feel
that he himself had been the cause of their
departure. As there was no one to dispute
his theory, it is not strange that he found it
satisfying.
SOME six weeks later, toward the end of
- July, the pups being by this time strong
enough to travel, and the pangs of his pro-
longed fast having grown unbearabe the
householder and all his rivals came suddenly
to the conclusion that it was not worth while
striving at such cost to hold their harems
together. They remembered that next year
they might hope to gather Others just as in
teresting. And all at once, their fercest
feuds forgotten, they pumped into the water
and began hungrily chasing fish. Presently
all turned their faces southwark; and soon
the bleak lodges were left solitary, once more
to confront the storm and cold of the on
coming Arctic night.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-08
The Harassed Householder
Continued from page s

oflfhed JrOW page ,
study its home arrangements. Avoiding,
without much heed. the angry bulls of
the rear line, with their meager harems, he
made his way fearlessly right in among
the shrinking COWS and the round eyed
trusting pups of the householders family
He had been seeing SO many seals killed, and
SO easily, that he had acquired mistaken
idea of that creatures courage. Ignoring
the harsh warning of the householder, he
stopped down to examine and fondle one of
the pups, which gazed up at him fearlessly
with eyes of pathetic depth and softness.
Now the householder knew very well what
this stranger was,-the invincible Man, sub
jugator of all beasts, able to kill instantly
and invisibly or with darting flame. But he
had no hesitation. He took no account of
risks in defending his hearth. He came lung
ing awkwardly but valiantly to the attack.
Just in the nick of time the man looked up
to see the ragged bulk descending on him.
He leaped wildly, dropping his camera, and
escaped the fatal slash of his assailant's Jaws.
But one great fipper struck him, and he fell
headlong, half stunned, over the back of a
protesting COW. Fortunately for him, the
householder paused to crush the camera; and
the man, shaking his head in a half dazed
way, had time to recover himself sufficiently
to meet the next foundering assault. The
only weapon he carried was a heavy knotted
stick, which served him as both walking
stick and club. As he sprang aside he caught
his adversary a stiff blow on the nose, the
most vulnerable point of a seal, and the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-08

things than the guns and clubs and ropes of
posse. By the power of these lovely and
everlasting things fell her prisoner and was
brought to the point of coming hither with
her. By the power of these things she is
stronger than any man that ever drank in
breath
"They reused up the 1ank Sheriff and
locked me fast in their little board jail, with
a fellow squatting in the moonlight before
the door, holding cooked rifle. That night
| conned it all over and over again, and by
cockcrow knew what course I'd take in the
matter of the reward.
THE next day, out of the crowd that
stewed about the walls of the court
house where they'd taken me, she came to
see me with her Howard. He was fine and
rigid Young fellow, with bold brow and
clear eye As soon as l saw him lost all
my hate of him for wanting to give me up
for the reward For the sake of her I'd have
given up a score of foot-loose malefactors
like myself.
"Maybe I'll be hanged l said to the
twain of them. For that neither of you will
touch the reward, will to will you what
money I've in savings. It's my earnings at
the mines, little over three thousand dol
lars. It's better you should have it than the
lawyers. Twas boarded up only to take me
back to Wales again; but now my mothers
dead, and it's by no moose III ever travel
back. And if | be not hanged, the years of
prison they'll be apt to give me will turn all
hope to bran and all gold to draft. One way
or 'tother, It's my darling wish that you
take the money and buy that grange at
Otway Mead. There's no blood upon that
money-only much honest sweat, and any
honest man might take it, feeling no shame,
and any honest woman too.
''They would have denied me; but
begged it as 'twere the last favor to a doomed
or diving man. Then came the trial, as I've
frightened and lessened by the witness
word and the sight of her, and by the good
will of all who loved Lytton's daughter. And
that was seven year ago, and now, wf1srt with
my credits, there's but two more to serve. >
"When you re let loose out of this, Owen
my boy" asked Timothy Hale, a subdued
and anxious note in his voice, and the voice
itself a little tremulous, "where will you be
making for, back to your home in Wales?"
mo-" answered the blue eyed Griffiths
very gently. mo, there's no home in Wales
for me now Maybe, for the sake of your
good self, I'd stay right here with you,
Timothy mate, until your own span of time
were up; but there's little farm at Otway
Mead, and a fond pair know of, and two
children I've never SEEN
Even then the vigilant guard, with the evil
blinking steel of his rifle couched slanting
in his arm, went swinging and humming by.