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

changed expression on Martins counte-
nance. For time he had appeared to
be struggling with two emotions. Now
he WAS silently thoughtful, thinking
slowly, with knitted, calculating brows.
Surprising" he asked deliberately,
at length that the strike wasn't broke.
but that they only had assurance that
It would be called of-would that do?"
You bet it would-your assurance"
answered Lafferty.
For full minute yet Martin seemed
to stare, almost hatefully, at the little
pile of currency. Then. with a look of
terrible desperation on his face, he
said
"The strike will be declared of to-
morrow night"
AS Martin proceeded to gather up
the packages Of money, and with a
quick, almost furtive movement thrust
them into his inside coat pocket, LAT
ferty said:
You're as clear a thinking man as
ever did business with in my life"
Then, with a glow Of satisfaction in
his breast. as of duty we'll performed,
Lafferty went away. A few minutes
after Martin followed. and as he walked
down the hall saw a freshly pencled
card which read: Strike Benefits
Paid at 800 p NJ. instead Of 100 p. NJ"
At the first bank he encountered on
his way up town Martin walked in
boldly and exchanged the three pack
ages OF bills in his coat pocket for a
certified check for the amount which
they represented, or fifteen thousand
dollars. Then he directed his steps
toward the doors of the Rockport Ma
tional. The President was old Fritz
kreider, an honest Swiss, who had
opened the first bank in Rockport a
week after the gas vein was struck
that started the town on its way to
prosperity, and Kreider had grown
with the town to commercial great.
ness
There's thirteen hundred Of u.s."
argued Martin, standing before him,
embarrassed, but full Of dignity.
Were good citizens. Lots Of us had
savings accounts before the strike. and
owned property. Some of us do yet.
You never saw a strike conducted with
less disorder We're entitled to credit
| want eight thousand dollars to meet
my payroll to-day. Will you let me
have it?"
The little old bankers eyes opened
wide at the eposterousness of the
idea, but Martin kept on talking with
that strangely persuasive manner. so
far below the deeps of ordinary enthus-
iasm, and yet so full Of that subtle
magnetism which was more and more
used 10 having its way with men.
When the strike leader left the bank
he had huge paper sack under his
arm. the budging sides and end of
which were bound about with Irvine
Entering the Office Of Macy and Lar
sen, he found Bolan there. talking to
the two Of them In croaking, poison.
Gus whisper.
There's your money" he exclaimed
flinging the bulky package upon the
long table. where 1t bounced resiliently
once or twice.
For moment the mems faces pic
tured their establishment. They gazed
at Martin queerly, and then Macy
selling a pair Of shears, shipped of
the Irvine, and disclosed the packages
OF currency in bills of small denomina
tions, crowding out OF the open end
OF the bag.
Martin. you're wiz. all right.
Macy chuckled as, recovering himself
he glanced again at the tall. sombel
face before him with look Of admira
ton. and then, by stroke OF his fin
ger. ripped open the long side Of the
bag.
Guess he's crazy. what" mutteret
Larsen as the door closed on his retir
ing form.
That afternoon, while the Executive
Committee were in session and pre-
pairing the recommendation for the
Saturday night meeting. and while the
steady tramp Of the thirteen hundred
men who were being paid their week.,
stipend of relief sounded through thu
building. the rumor was persistent tina
John Martin had left town. At las
confirmation was Afforded
Il seen him go-on the three o'clocl
train" declared Joe Sturtevant. "H'
had that black, nervy look on his face
Sometimes stirrin'. an III bet none.
on it. too"
"Shucks!" croaked Bolan. "He jus
cleaned up and got out that's all
You'll never see hide nor hair Of hin
again"
On Saturday morning the Rockpor
bidders. according to schedule, boarded
the express for Chicago. They took pos
session of one end Of parlor car. TIL,
long suspense Of the strike was over
They had fought. and had received Sc
cret assurances from Lafferty that the.
had won. They had not a doubt tina
they would secure the canal contracts
1t was all over in their minds but tn,
mere formality of opening the bios
They would be careful to hand then
In the last minute before twelve. The,
would have then few anxious hours
while computations were being made
and then by three or three thirty thu
successful bidder would be ready will
his bondsmen. and the four oclocl
train that afternoon would carry then
all back to Rockport. where they would
arrive at seven thirty With the con
tracts secure and an unbroken period
of industrial peace ahead. they ha,
good reason to congratulate them
selves
IT'S a good thing to stand together.
said Simonds of the Simonds Castin,
Company.
at certainly pays In the long run.
declared Mr. Collins of the Rockpor
Foundry.
Even II we did have to buy on
their hero" sneered Medros, Of Medros
Seaman & Co, who were to be tho sue
: cessful bidders.