The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1912-01-06

The silence was broken by falter-
ing cry. ''It's-it's dashed lie!' The
speaker was. a young man-new to
politics-who had met. Bob during. the
campaign and had become one of the
big mans most ardent followers. He
was an earnest young man who cher
ished high ideals Of civic duty and
purity.
Il won't believe it," he repeated,
raising his voice appealingly. Its all
q ie!' 49,.
Just then Haggin came through one
Of the rear doors, coatless, hat showed
back, cold cigar sticking at an ag-
gressive angle from his mouth. -.
whats the matter with you guys?'
he demanded sharply. That's the
noisest silence ever heard" -.
One of them handed to him a paper.
he read slowly.
my Godw he gasped. stunned as
were the others. II dunno what to
do. He's sick man-doctor said ty-
phoid-got out O. bed to come down
town-he's comm here now-don't let
him know, an'"- His voice rose in
hoarse below. Course Remington for
a dirty traitor!"
A man near the door swore sicken-
ingly. Hes coming!" The murmur
ceased instantly
A carriage drew up before the ram
shackle building. Out Of it stepped
Bob McAdoo-the man who never be-
fore had needed vehicle for his COM
ings and goings. He was a very sick
man; every one saw that. AS he pass
ed from the carriage, fretfully waving
aside the driver. who had sprung down
to assist him. he almost tottered The
hand that reached for the doorknob
trembled visibly. -.
He opened the door and passed slow
~ along the narrow aisle, nodding
mechanically. Then the strange silence
struck in on him. He raised his head
sharply the lips parting little.
what is it," he said. His voice
was high pitched and querulous.
From the street came the strident
voice Of the newsboy. He was too
far away for his words to be distin-
guished, but he was coming rapidly
nearer.
"Stop that newsie" a man exclaimed
involuntarily.
''What is it? Why stop the newsie?'
The tone was still sharp and queru-
lous.
The young man who cherished ideals
standing before Bob sought to hide
his paper behind his back. The move
ment caught Bob's attention. Just be-
fore the paper disappeared behind the
young mans back he saw in big, far
ing red letters, ''Reming"-
He held out his hand. "!Give me
that paper"
The young man stared at him mute
~, scared look coming into his eyes.
'Give me that paper!" Bob repeated
hercely. He caught the young man
by the shoulder. swung him around
roughly and seized the paper.
Then he unfolded it and read. The.
crowd looked on in dumb discomfort
Somehow every one present found
himself suffering horribly. -.
As he saw the flaring headline Bob
felt his heart contract convulsively.
There was sudden sharp throb in his
brain, and then a strange numbness
spread through him, He read through
the affidavit without being able to:
comprehend what it meant. There, in
Its bold type, it seemed so impersonal,
so much the thing which he was used
to see in the newspapers, that he could
not realize that it was Paups, his
friends, public disavowal of him. He
read 1t second time. and still it did
not seem real-the numbness persisted.
He looked at the young man.
''What does it mean?" His hand
passed before his eyes. I'll don't un-
derstand''
The young man sobbed aloud.
1T isn't true. Mr.. McAdoo? Say it
isn't true" - -.
Bob looked at him, the smile still
playing about his mouth, 10y =
lis it bad?'' The querulousness was
gone. The voice was tired and gentle.
"Then it's true-whatever it u.s."
The crowd stood stupidity mute. The
young man sobbed again. He caught
one OF Bob's hands in both his own.
Il don't care If it is true" he said
;brokenly. IN stand by you" He
turned to face the others and through
unshamed tears looked defiance at
them. They stirred uneasily. A NUT
ter OF approval arose. -: -: .
Bob exerted all his win power to
bring back his straying mind to the
thing before him. to realize what it
was that made these men stand
around him in stupid silence.
The paper had fallen from his hands.
He was standing rgidly upright, bis
head thrown back. his feverish, gilt
tering eyes taking no account Of the
present Haggin took a step forward
and laid his hand on Bob's shoulder.
Bob" he said-and no one wonder.
ed then at the gentleness in the old
prizetighter's voice-'.ye're sick. Let's
e home. Bob" a 81 q
4 !. - =