The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-01-09
ally i little doing in the rough-house

way, too, and since got out OF my
cradle always would run straight into
trouble. See that scar there, and he
pointed to q long, ragged line in the
edge Of his hair; that's where a bull
let grazed me in the Troy stove strike.
That was near fifteen years ago. No
tice bum shutter on one Of my lamps,
don't you? That's where / was
chopped with brick. Wouldn't think
that. would you? Well, sir, guy
chopped my face all up once with
broken brick, just held 1t in his hand
and made. hamburg steak OF my mug
But say croaked that bIoke with
a couplin' pin. That was out West.
I / did 1--WE years In saltwater for that,
too. blame the luck!"
Do you mean to say" John queried
in amazement, "that you have for
long time been professional strike
breaker?''
Well. not always = strike-breaker
live always liked to mix in these
things. Sometimes + was on one side
and sometimes was on the other
But late years, since strike-b breaking
has got to be a regular business. have
always been on the side Of the bosses.
l have all the fun used to have, and
the pay Is better.
"How BETTER" inquired John limo
Gently.
What do you get for doing this
days work partner" asked the man
by way of reply.
Three and quarter" answered
John, land earn 1t"
You bet you do, Gully" said the
man, land I get eight dollars for dom
the same"
"Wha-what!" gasped John in aston
Ishment.
4 get eight dollars day for strike
breakin' in case like this
Are you telling me the TRUTH"
snarled John fiercely.
ASK any OF the boys said the fell
low. smiling at the effect of his words.
l"I belong to Beales agency. | drew
four dollars q day for staying on call.
When he is to break strike, we get
from eight to twelve. and have had
twenty. It's according to how danger
Gus strike ia. This one right here'll
! pay twenty before we get through it.
| It's too unanimous. Them fellows
| have got this strike won il 1t wasn't
for US. Why in blazes man like you
didn't 60 out is more than | can see.
! Ii it wasn't for few OF you dubs
workin' the first few days the bosses
would have give up at once. never
did see a strike that was perfectly
unanimous that didn't win from the
start, and you can take it from us
strikeb breakers that there never was
strike won by professionals. il lot
Of Weakened, boss-lovin' dubs didn't
stay on and help us. They're the ones
| to get kicked in tho neck, too, when
the strike Is settled, for the great.
main body Of workers is what the boss
| has to consider. and they're the strik-
ers. The bosses have got whole lot
more respect for striker than they
/ have for a scab.''
For a few minutes the mans tongue
had run on like clapper, while he
| squatted over his work, not noticing
that John sat upon his heels, his hands
| gripping the corners OF the cope, the
eyes almost starting out Of his smoke
! blackened face
| Did hear you right" asked John.
You say you come in heN and get
eight dollars day for what I've been
doing for three dollars and twenty
five cents. and that the company's pay
isg all these men here eight dollars
to hold the pace until the men are
4 starved out and whipped, and then
compel them to come back At the old
wages and hours. Eight dollars day
for moiding. while we get three and
quarter
/ we amt paid for moldin'." said the
man. We're paid for breakin the
strike
Eight dollars a day."
~. f~~n~
fixing key under a clamp. As they
per part OF the flask upon the drag, or
lower part Of 1t. and made all fast and
ready for the pour.
4 A powerful resolution was forming
In the mind OF John Martin as he
ened himself to his full height
Eight dollars day" he muttered
and stood looking down at the finished
handle OF great sledge-hammer
standing near. found 1t, and his mus
cles grew tense AZ, with all the
strength OF coiled springs winding up
the sledge turned IN the air and cams
crashing down through cope and
drag, through pattern and core, leav
lib VI tHo WIN VI LILO uoy o nopcfpcs
ruin.
What did you do that for?'
screamed the foreman, who saw tn.
do 1t for!''
Eight dollars a day" answere,
John hotly, in defiant, emphatic tones
az he started for his coat and Dime
pail
he asked.
Johns face grew rigid and Their
was dangerous CLEAN in his eye.
Going 10 Join the union" he n
swered slowly In tones that had etel
mites OF resolution in them.
Get out Of the wey!"
l73s EsS)