The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-01-15
FOUR WOMEN
STRIKERS
By M. QUAD
By M. QUAD
Copyright, 1916. by tho Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.

Henry Skaggs sent her son, Sammy
with three written notes to three wive
In the neighborhood-Mr Perkins
Mrs. White and Mrs. Davis. The!
were asked 10 call at her house at
o'clock In the afternoon to help brlnl
about a social revolution for the bene
fit of the female sex all over tn,
world.
When the hour arrived the three wo
men also arrived. They were very
busy women, but anything that prom
Ised to benefit the sex aroused theil
sense of duty.
what have to say is this" began
Mrs. Skaggs as she took the floor and
cleared her voice, THE men are on a
strike east, west. north and south,
Some are striking for higher wages,
but most OF them want eight hours
work day. Their claim is that no
man can work more than eight hours
day and do his best and great num-
beers OF them are completely tired out
when the eight hours have expired.
Have they given a thought to US
! "ShAeh uhitd al inns luA mum anu
confusion? Not a thought-not even
one. We arise at 9 o'clock in the
morning and are through with our
housework about 8 In the evening.
That makes fifteen hours work for us.
and most of the time we are on our
feet. Poor man! He can't work more
than eight hours day without being
tuckered out, and he thinks we can
work fifteen without having the least
cause for complaint So 1t has always
| been and always will be unless we go
at 1t and raise a revolution"
/ Let us raise onep was shouted in
chorus.
That's what / wanted to see you
about, and I'm so glad you agree with
me. We shall raise a revolution. We
Will raise it right here and now! From
this village 1t will spread all over the
known world, and IL our sex In Eskimo
land as well as at home do not bless US
they deserve TO be slaves forever"
So thought Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Davis
and Mrs. White, and the four women
then and there entered into conspira-
cy and perfected the details. Each one
pledged herself to die rather than sur
render, and each went home with a
grim look on her face.
What befell Mrs. Skaggs befell the
others. When her husband came home |
that evening she met him with a
query:
Henry, you are on strike for eight
hours a dayi"
Eyes, dear" was the reply.
well, / want TO say to you that,
beginning Wednesday morning, | shall
go on strike myself. If you feel that
you can't work more than eight hours /
a day feel that can't either. | work
almost double that now and have work.
ed so ever since we were married, and
it's no wonder look like an old woman
at my age of thirty eight Have you any
reasons to advance why / should not
striker"
Not a single reason" he replied
when she expected him to advance
dozen or more. Your work is hard
and long, and IL you can manage to
make 1t easier / shall do all | can to
encourage you"
Mrs. Skaggs was much surprised
and put out. by the attitude of her ,
husband, but she was grimly deter
mined TO carry out the conspiracy
When Wednesday morning came she
said to her husband across the break
fast table:
Henry, this is the day" ,,
"Yes. this is the day" he quietly ,
replied.
But you will be home to lunch, as
usual. But after that is cleared away !
the strike begins"
Soon after o'clock and just as
Mrs. Skaggs was getting interested in
4 book Mrs. links, a colored wo-
man Of very ample proportions, en-
.ered the house. She was chasing the
.hree Skaggs children before her. and
rs she took off her hat and made her
'elf at home she said to their mother:
Dose chill'en need to have dar ears
'uffed, an III make a great improve
nent In less dan a week. Dis foah
reeds sweepin'. an I'll tackle dat fust."
And who on earth are your de-
handed the surprised Mrs. Skaggs as
he closed her book and stood up.
why, Is Mrs. links, of cose,' was
he reply.
But didn't send for you"
"Of co'se not, but your husband cum
ur me an said | was TO be de second
elief / Gums on at o'clock an leaves
{ 10. Dat makes my eight hours. an
urin' my time here don't you have
90 much to say about things. ! knows
II about runnin' house an don't
eed no bossin."
Now, then, Mrs. links. or what
yer your name is. you take yourself
ight out of here or I'll have a consta-
lie take you. You are not wanted
ere. and it's singular that my hus-
and sent you"
But you is all tired out wild your
'ork an am strikin' fur eight hours"
'es the reply.
And I'll be striking you IL you don't
love on. When 1t is time TO get sup
ar for my husband shall do So
When Mr.. Skaggs came home he
'und a better supper than usual pre-
lred for him. and his wife had slick
up little In matters OF dress. All
. ootd he fnnly htc a1of,usarnad sent