Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-08-11

western Pennsylvania there was for
the moment an armed truce between
the strike breakers and the strikers.
The latter. under the leadership OF
Gunsdorf. held the village; the former.
under the personal supervision OF
kehr, had built a strong palissde
which commanded the railroad station
and the approaches TO the town by
rail. Both belligerents maintained a
system of sentries. and a genuine state
OF war existed. More than one striker
had been given a public funeral; more
than one strike breaker had departed
FROM Bitumen in a narrow box.
So much was clear. Less clear were
the causes which had led to actual
violence. It is enough that they led to
a demand for larger wages and shorter
hours, which Kehr, representing the
owners, and intrenching himself be
hind the statement that too many such
demands had been acceded 10 in the
past, had peremptorily. and in a man
ner not tended to conciliate, refused.
A general strike had been called,
strike breakers and special deputies
had been called in, and there had been
dynamiting and sudden death.
The leaders were somewhat alike.
Each had a supreme contempt and
even hatred for the class which the
other represented. Each was a strong
willed, stubborn man, having much
power over other men. Neither was
altruistic At the back of Gunsdorf's
head lurked the idea that one d2y he,
too, might be a capitalist who should
employ labor. Kehr had every inten-
ton Of one day employing more labor
himself Neither truly represented the
cause for which he stood Both were
prepared TO sacrifice any number Of
other peoples lives for the betterment
OF their own. There was, however. this
difference between them: men obeyed
Gunsdorf because they believed him to
be a strong man of the people with the
interests of the people at heart.
SO Tommy felt about Gunsdorf
when he heard the thick-set. trembling,
passionate assailant OF privilege hold
forth In the town hall, when he saw
tears gush out of the mans eyes as he
told of women and children who we're
going under because there was no
longer any bread in the house, and
when he pretended that he could hear
their cries and clapped his hands to
his ears.
Tommy had. been introduced to the
brother" as safe man, but when
Gunsdorf began to advocate a midnight
rush upon the stockade and massacre
of all who might be found within,
many eyes we're turned upon the silk
stocking to see how he would take
the suggestion.
I'VE will put them," thundered
Gunsdorf, where they shall never
again no more hear the voices Of
women and children lifted in joy-or
I'm sorrow. We will show the world
what II is to tread upon the poor and
the unfortunate, so that little children
die of hunger. What do we claim !?
Only a fair share of what belongs to
us. What do we get? Crumbs and
offal chucked to US from the rich
mans kitchen door"
There was howl of rage, that
must have been heard in the stockade
and caused some of its defenders to
tremble When this had rumbled away
and died to nothing like a peal Of
thunder, Gunsdorf rolled his little eyes
upon Tommie.
Let US hear from the new brother"
he said, smacking HIS lips. Come up
on the platform, Brother Barclay, and
| let the brothers and sisters see you"
One of the sisters eyed Tommy
very closely as he slowly ascended the
| platform. She was Mrs. Gunsdorf, a
| young dark, heavy woman with
| smoldering eyes and a scarlet mouth.
| When he turned and she had a good
| look at his handsome. brown, clean
cut face. her deep bosom began to
| rise and fall rapidly.
Tommy was in an awkward posi-
ton. In full sympathy with HIS au-
| dience, he was not at all IN sympathy
/ with dynamiting and murder. His
education told him that though an
attack upon the stockade might prove
successful its ultimate effect upon the
attackers would be retribution IN an
extreme degree.
1T seems to me-" he began quietly,
that what we want is justice-not
vengeance. Have We"
A loud chorus Of mockery drowned
his voice.
But Carson shouted at the top ol
his lungs, Give him air" and when
he had secured sort OF silence be
went on: Brother Barclay is all
right" he shouted; "he thinks the
same as we do, only he don't think Il
the same wayl Give him air!"
Carson got laugh, and Tommy was
given air. And seeing that he was
being given air. he smiled a very win
ming smile (it happened to light frs
upon Mrs. GunsdorfD anu began e
speak once more--thls time with con
fidence. because by good luck he hat
happened upon something TO say. tha
seemed TO him worth saying.
Brothers," he said. your backs ar
all turned TO the door Of the hall
Mine isn't"
He had succeeded In exciting thei
curiosity Many turned and had 1
look at the door. and then looked bacl
at the speaker. One or two smiIe'
and nodded as II they knew what wal
coming. which tsey didn't. Tommi
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