The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1912-01-11
@Yon fools he roared "You might


ground feRtureless thing with hair
and beard matted in blood and mud,
out of the center of which came a
harsh, inarticulate cry OF terror and
pain. John balanced the creature on
its uncertain legs till car came, and
then, thrusting it on, turned TO face
the mob. But the mob had gone. In
its stead was crowd OF wondering in
dividuals that seethed round and
looked at him admiringly
Why didn't you let us finish him?7
shouted one.
Shut up" commanded another, and
the first subsidized.
We've got to cut ont that kind of
work if we want to win" exclaimed
John. 1T turns public opinion against
us. A strike like ours makes an APP
peal to public sympathy. which is the
greatest force that can fight in our
favor. 4 single deed of violence lihe
this will prejudice people againss us
more than weeks of good conduct and
self-control can overcome. Remember,
men. No yiolence!'
The words rang out resolutely as
John lifted his hand with a gesture OF
first public speech. He did not know
1t was a speech. 1t was just his soul
talking to other souls more tempest
tossed than his but sailing ON the
same sea with him.
Quit blocking the streets, and go
home, boys" he further commanded.
ITS over for to-day"
The crowd broke into sections, the
sections divided into groups, and the
groups crumbled into squads of threes
and twos that melted away into the
surrounding streets. In an incredibly
short time John found himself practi-
cally alone, his breast for the first time
thrilling with the joy that comes with
the conscious mastery of other wills.
Besides, his principles and his courage
had been put to the issue and they
had won. A glow was on his cheeks
and he was feeling very much at home
with himself.
1t is a considerate God that hides to-
morrow from the twilight OF to-day.
John Martin did not know OF the fur
mace fires that we're heating to try
his soul. nor that some day his mighty
frame, in a swirl of primal passion,
man projectile upon the ranks of the
place-takers. And Jennie, when she
heard about It. was filled with foolish
pride, for she, too, was untutored Of
tomorrow
When month went by YEARLY and
they sold the sitting-room furniture
to pay the instalment on the house,
and the end of the strike was not yet
in sight they had learned a little.
When another month dragged its UNI
ending coils yet more YEARLY over
the threshold of their life and the bed.
steads went. and a fer books and
Johns watch, and the children were
wan and pale, while husband and wife
were tortured into irritability by anx.
iety and the constant Ialf-hunger from,
which they suffered, they had learned
much more, and knew they we're bat
Ting with dragon whose nostrils
gushed fiery terror.
But Martin held to his convictions
firmly, and when some of the more
ignorant of the men broke bonds with
discretion and pounded a strike
breaker within an inch of his life re
proved them soundly; but his own
sitting day was approaching fast.
Sickness follows hard upon priva
ton and is less easily withatood
John came face to face one day with
coffin that was long and black They
were carrying it out Of strikers
home. He paused by trolley pole and
took off his hat, and stood gazing
solemnly, his soul deeply moved by
what he saw and the stunning Of six
pairs of heavy feet as they moved
across the bricks. A young doctor
came out from next door and stood
untying his horse John knew him
for he had treated Tommie when his
leg was injured
death by violence said the doctor
to John. in significant tones, nodding
TO where the hearse doors were clos
ing. That's weary mother OF six
children that just naturally lay down
and died. She literally starved her
self TO death to keep her children alive
on her husbands strike benefits. !
saw it. l did what l could. Never a
whimper. Never complaint She
wilted unprotestingly. But she died
violent death. all the same don't
know who I'm blaming for 1t. Martin
but somebody, some power there ought
to be TO compel you men and bosses to
get together and settle your grievances
before any more lives are taken. It's
the children mostly. There's couple
sick in here. There's one over there
They're all around. and It's nothing In
the world but priyation, = lack OF
proper food for children"
Johns eyes misted over
My own baby, Little wiggler. amt
lookin' so awful peart." he said, and
his eyes were on the pitiful little fun
eral party as it turned off al the ncxi
street. The doctor drove away Three
minutes after, his buggy came dash
ing back He had little Jack Martin
in with him. Jacks face was pale SO
that all his freckles stood out above
the tan.
Get IN" said the physician quietly
THE boy just found me UP the street
One Whit Of the doctors manner
and one glance at Jacks awe-flled face
sent chill to the bottom OF John Mar
tins heart. He got in without a word
taking Jack between his knees
The baby's awful sick" whispered
Jack, gripping his fathers great hands
tightly. He's havin' fits"