The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-02

= RI 44M women hurrying home from WORK. anu
u&AA8u turned eastward, thinking. as he had
Us thought nearly every evening for the past
- ten years, how good it would be to get
ON his shoes and collar and sit down TO dinner.
Lets see, it's wash day. Rose will probably have
stew, something easy"
Turning into the fat-bulding which sheltered him.
he began his weary tramp the four fights OF shah
billy capeted stairs that led to his apartment As he
opened the door a steamng, soapy odor of boiling
clothes gushed out from the kitche-'. Mrs Hopper
glanced up without greeting him. She rested par
boiled hand on the tub against which she was leaning
and with the other pushed back damp, struggling
lock Of hair
~Go in and sit down." she said saThe tables set
and I'll be in in minute"
Her husband remained staring in the doorway.
-Well you're fine housekeeper you are, with wash
ing hanging round till half past five and no dinner"
ct told you I'd bring it in presently. I've had my
hands full to-day; Tommys been home from school
sick. If I could only send the washing out, I'd war
rant your dinner would be time" She wrung out
the last piece and dropped It into the basket beside
her.
Tneangry red surged upward from Hopper's collar.
s-Thats right, throw it up to me that don't make
enough to live decently on. If ever man was worth
more than he's getting, am. I've worked like dog
for the company for ten yeara4and what credit do
get? Some little sawed-on in there and gets
raised inside of month"; and it's all my fault of course
throw it up to mel"
rumbling he strobe into the front room, pulling off
his collar with an angry jerk and throwing it violently
on the table. little girl sitting by the window,
reading; at sight of him she toward him eagerly,
crying, "Halloo papa"
$50 into the bedroom, May and bring my slip
pers," he ordered, spreading out his rumpled paper
on his knee.
where's my pipe?" he demanded. "Can't ever
have anything left where put it?" His wife found
it for him and brought him match. Presently with
his feet elevated chair, he threw back his head
began putting, gradually forgetting his recent irri
taton Rose fell to work on basket OF socks badly
in need of darning.
81 wouldn't be surprised to see something doing at
the Office before long, he said after pause There's
lot of talk among the operators, and Stetson told
me on the quiet that the president and the superin-
tendent had long talk together yesterday
You mean there's likely to be striker" asked his
wife He noticed how worn and old her face was
growing 81 hope you won't get mixed up In it." She
her hands fall idly in her lap. They were grace
full hands, despite their roughness.
Lord, no! The clerks have nothing to do with it;
only the operators gassng about their rights and
shorter hours and ten cent raise; it's been going
for weeks They've got far as sending repre-
sentative in to the president, and If that repre-
sentative don't get the satisfaction they want they'll
strike; and I hope to God they do! I'd like to see
the Metropolitan Telegraph Company stung good and
plenty. They haven't used right If knew Of
another job I'd get out darned quick" He spat vio-
lently.
WEI" Rose replied picking up the stocking in
her lap, 'theyd get somebody else in your place all
right, and you wouldn't gain much Fred, hate to
you always taking sides against the people you
work for-you ought to be with them. It's your bread
and butter. But don't why they don't raise you
Jaw, what do you know about it, anyway" He
grew belligerent again ve given up trying please
you. You're picking all the time, matter
what try to do"
She DID not reply shutting her lips tightly the
bitter words that sprang to them, and there ensued
long silence, each following different thoughts. The
children needed new Clothes and she was wondering
how much of his months salary would be left after the
current household expenses had been paid His mind
had returned to affairs at the office
Carriers very low" resumed Hopper, after several
minutes They don't think he'll pull through the
night Gee, that's swell job-four thousand per! I
wonder who'll have the luck to step into his shoes"
The darning ball fell from Roses hand she
turned eagerly toward him, her face lighting with
udden hope Despite years of gradual disiluson-