Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-04


The beard Of n day deepened the shad-
ows upon HIS face, but in his slightly
pursed lips and the lean thrust Of his
Jaw there was sober, dogged determin-
alton.
McKichnie coughed nervously.
"The forty-eight hours Is up, Mar
TIN" said Kaufman. eve got to ask
you to call a meeting of the Executive
Committee now, and let us tell EN-
what our recommendation is."
What are you goin to recommend"
asked Martin, glancinG up for mo-
ment from under his ribbed brows.
THAT the strike be called off and
the men instructed to apply for work"
Martins face paled for an instant
and every muscle Of It frightened In
stubborn antagonism to the idea.
All right" he said, after moment
of deliheration. "The meeting Is called
for this afternoon at four o'clock
You'll have 1t your own way. III not
be present. Well put 1t before the men
tomorrow night-that's Saturday-at
eight O'Clock I'll be there" he con-
cluded with grim significance.
McKichnie grasped Martins purpose
instantly.
Its no use to try to swing 'em, my
boy" he said, gently. You're a won
der with a crowd. all right. I've seen
you pull EN- into line time and again.
I've seen you raise your voice and set
every mans heart to quiverin' with
the first word, my own among EN-.
I've seen you drive EN- through the
street before you like sheep, when
their mood was wild. But you can't
do it again, Jack They're breaking.
You cant stop EN-, you can't turn 'em,
you cant hold EN-. 1t won't even need
recommendation Of the Executive
Committee to carry the question to-
morrow night if you put 1t before EN-"
But" Martin rejoined. in quiet,
gripping tones with just a dash of de-
fiance in them, we won't put it before
'em. because I'll get up and read let
ter from the bosses granting every
thing we've asked for
Again the man dropped his eyes and
his face became mere cast of stub
born iron, while his fingers were nerv-
ously busted with the shreds Of paper.
"A letter from the bosses granting
all we've asked for" The idea was
preposterous. impossible, insane.
McKichnie touched his forehead sig
nincantly. The men exchanged glances.
"Brooding's done it," murmured
Kaufman. The man amt been hui
man for week or two"
At this juncture Macy and Larsen
entered the room. They were respect
lively treasurers Of the Molders' and
Machinists' Locals and jointly disbursed
the eight thousand dollars per week
Of strike benefits, which up to this
time had never failed to come on Fri
day morning from the International
headquarters.
The money didn't come" said
Macy, weakly. There's a letter that
says the benefits are discontinued with
out the usual weeks notice on account
Of the situation bein' misrepresented
to EN-"
An anxious, almost hunted look ap-
peared In Martins eyes.
You don't need to wait for the meet.
ing tomorrow night IL the payroll amt
met today" muttered Bolan. The
strike'll break before tonight"
There was no doubling that Martin
was sane enough to sense the full
weight of this threatening danger. He
was plainly disconnected. and his eyes
roved unsteadily, but 1t was only for
few seconds. Then with a new flash
of defiance to fate, he said, sharply.
You been payin' at ono O'Clock. Put
up sign, Pay at three and begin
to get ready. I'll go up town and get
the money"
Again McKichnie and his fellows ex-
changed glances, lie would 60 up town
and get the money. What wild ab-
surdities we're to-day finding lOdgment
in the brain of this desperately deter
mined man. The unions had no
credit. The commercial interests OF
the city had shown marked hostility
70 their cause. There was not the
ghost Of chance that John Martin
could borrow eight thousand dollars
or any appreciable portion of such a
sum. with which TO meet the payroll
Macy and Larsen looked incredulous
but the unblinking gaze Of the leader
drove them to bow to his assurance
and they turned out OF the ROOM feel
ing rather helpless, yet impelled by
sheer personal force Of the man to put
up a notice which under the circum
stances they now knew was folly.
There was now not doubt in the
minds of McKichnie and Kaufman. al
least, that Martin was temporarily de
ranged, Appalled, by this calamitous
turn, and seized with an instant desire
to get into the open air and think, Nc
kichnie after furtive glance at Mar
tin. who sat with downcast. Oblivious
eyes. arose and went out. followed by
Anderson and Kaufman, all three NOV
Ing with the manner and solemnity Of
pallbearers.
Bolan only fingered behind-Bolan
with malicious sheer upon his face
The moment the door closed. HI
brought his own stout body impudentl,
close to the person of the man who hat
usurped his position of influence
among the molders.
'You amt crazy" Bolan began witt
an insinuating drawl. You're crooked
You was out to Collins's house las
night--Collins of the Rockport Foun
: dry, and you didn't report that visi
: to the committee. You're trying Il
make deal. You're gettin' ready Il
, sell us out. You're takin' money from
Col"
l3olan never finished his sentence
except In fierce grunt, as somethin,
like the kick OF capstan bar strucl
him in the plexus. There was a mo-
| mentary scuffling Of feet and then Mar