Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1912-02-03
The Strife
BY PETER CLARK MAcFARLANE
Copyright, 1910, by the Pearson
Publishing co.,

tlOnal, ana lneI put tnelr emlsSdIleS
out 10 labor industTiously to brace the
men up. A called meeting of the Mold
ers' Union was held in the afternoon.
Speeches were made. Words of good
cheer and encouragement were spoken.
Also telegrams-some of which it Is to
be feared did not originate outside OF
McKichnie's brain-were read, giving
words of advice and bits OF inspiring
information, with assurances of con-
tinued assistance from the outside.
But there was another feeling grow
ing. too. among the men--a feeling OF
wrath amounting to rage and spirit
OF terrible vindiCtiveness. This pas
sion was commensurate with the posi-
ton that Martin had occupied in the
esteem of all. II appeared TO many
far greater crime than would have
been the apostasy Of even Bolan and
McKichnie. Martins official position
was comparatively unimportant. But
the faith OF the strikers was pinned to
him as a composite being who had
come to stand for them all somehow as
the embodiment OF their personal in
terests. John Martin was one OF them
10 a greater extent than any other
member of the holders Local. He had
far more things in common. He had
lost more, suffered more, endured
more, ventured more, and in conse-
quence been trusted more. Now he
had fallen away, and a swirling. seeth-
ing mass of Infatuated. vengeauce-seek-
ing men cOngregated before the Rock
port Foundry and waited for him TO
come out.
Luckily it was noon when the feel
ing reached it's height. The police dis
persed the throng a time or two, but
it speedily regathered. and yet had lost
something Of its force by these disper-
sions and the interval Of waiting.
The heat was taken off at the Rock
port Foundry early in the afternoon.
Men began al two or three O'Clock 10
throw of their copes and go home. II
was about four when Martin left the
works. Orrick was with him. A howl
ing. raging mob filed the street from
curb TO curb Jeers. boots and shrieks
of wrath were the reception accorded
TO Martin. His dinner bucket was on
his arm. He carried his coat on his
shoulder His arms and chest were
redeemed afreSh by the now unaccus-
toned glare of the molten metal. His
face had that grim look which Dennie
had marked in the morning. and his
eyes seemed TO have receded still
farther into his head. so that il was
an austere countenance indeed that he
turned upon the mob. With his over
hanging brows. the high hump on his
nose. the narrow slit of his tightly
Clasped lips. the set of the muscles Of
his face. and the lofty. determined
poise Of his head. he seemed to cast a
spell about him as he walked into the
street. so that the mob. strangely
hushed. divided before him. He
turned down H Street.
Where you goin'. you rat?" shouted
some one above the lessened babble OF
the throng.
ITO Union headquarters" Martin re-
piled so that all might hear.
The answer was a greet roar from
the mob, the roar Of doubly maddened
beasts. This was impudence COM
pounded. This was defiance gone mad.
II was enough that he should work.
But that he should lead this mob
which howled at his heels to the
Union headquarters, where IL was well
remembered he once had quelled
Oh
The men crowded upon him, half in
sane and frenzied with their rage; but
he continued 10 walk swiftly forward.
and .Orrick. the supposed strike-break-
er. who would not for anything have
dared this encounter. passed with him
almost unnoticed. He was only an or
binary strike-breaker and he was In
tho company of the blacklist traitor
the cause of labor could ever know. So
thought the crowd. and sustained its
present patience with the thought that
suspended vengeance would presently
engulf both mer at once.
Bolan forced his way to Martins
side.
You fool.' he Kissed in his ear.
DO YOU want to turn the Union hall
l0IO a SldusuNci uouocs ihcy "a NH
you there"
Martin turned and looked at him sig
nificantly but continued his march.
AS the crowd streamed up the stair
ways. Bolan had time for few SEN
fences with Orrick. recognizing that
since il would be impossible TO con-
ceal his true character longer. il would
be best for the mans own safety to
be publicly seen in conference with
himself
Couldn't do a thing" Orrick ex-
planned. Martin showed up there and
offered to pour the big casting. The
Superintendent took one square look
at him. BY heaven. Martini he said,
4 trust you 1t may be only a trick to
ruin the big casting. but | believe |
know what you are. Go ahead And
then Martin took over the job. He
watches everything like hawk. Once
he says to me under his breath, If you
drop that shot in her, III throw you in
the furnace and. on the dead, Bolan,
| believe he would have done IT,"
And then. WHAT" asked Bolan.
eagerly, for he was beginning 10 see
light.
why. when the castings done and
It looks like it's come through all