Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-03-22
CHAPTER XVIII.
Blue Flannel and Cordurc


days it showed so heavily that all work
moved but internationally at the up
river camp, and then. two days before
Christmas, the mercury dropped sharp
ly into the bulbs and the weather
! cleared.
From his window Stephen O'Mara
watched the heavy loads crawl up to
the storehouse door. He watched the
drivers throw tarpaulins over the boxes
and knew that they were too weary
! to unload that night And he was
/ still there at the frosted pane when
the three men, Big Louie still blowing
ahead, hove into view again from the
| direction Of the stables and came
straight toward his own shack. He
opened the door and babe them enter
! before they had had chance to knock.
The swagger in the shoulders Of two
Of them told him what to expect. Big
Louie was only clumsy, as usual.
"You did we'll to make it, he told
the latter kindly, as he always adj
! dressed him. His nod to the others,
who rocked of white whisky, was in
part a question, in no wise a welcome.
'Well?" he asked.
! Apparently there had been confer
ence beforehand. for there was no hes
itancy on the part of Fallon, who had
! been ordained spokesman.
! We've come for our time" he
! growled.
Steve nodded gravely.
81 see," he murmured. MAY l ask
what's your grievance this time?'
They were satellites Of Harrigan.
Because of that he had kept them all
where his eyes could find them at
times. And, even though their arch
leader in discomfort had not crossed
his path in many days, he listened now
to an echo Of Harrigan's activities.
They're Offering three day in the
reserve camps" Fallon should not
have gloated. Three a day and a
bonus for the high week cut. Were
going back to the river"
II see," again observed Steve. Are
they guaranteeing this wage for as
long as you want to work.
Apparently they had decided, too
that there should be no bargaining.
1--WE want our time" Fallon reiterat'
ed. This is going to be mans year
on the river!''
You also?" Steve inquired of Shayne.
Eyes, me Also" he came back, IAN
hundred others before the ice goes
out
Big Louie he had given up for lost
before that, and yet it was with Big
/ Louie that Steve made sincere effort.
"Td like to have you stay, Louie.
He faced the third man. Il need YOU
for you can do more with horses than
anv man | know. You are worth three
; q day to me. Do you care to think 1t
; over?'
Big Louie's eyes had been mournfui
when he stumbled in out of the cold.
They were that now. He started to
/ turn toward the window for look at
the stables and then thought better Of
> It. Resolutely, for him, he shook his
head.
! II am done-me," he muttered. Il
work for no company that will leave
! honest men to starve.'
It was hopeless from the start. yet
! Steve tried again.
| 81 can promise you work as long as
YOU are able to hold a rein,' he Of
| fered, but he moved nearer the door
! while he was speaking. THAT is all /
can promise
| ! Perhaps Fallon believed that Big
! Louie was weakening. Perhaps he felt
/ that the situation was too highly ORA
! matte to be wasted, for he made wide
/ flourish with one hand.
eve want our time, and we want 1t
now" he threatened. Were going to
show you who bosses this river before
we're done with you"
! Fallon shouldn't have gloated; he
shouldn't have threatened. And Shayne
shouldn't have smiled Steve had Slip
ped the latch loose Now he swung
open the door.
Call for your time at the Morrison
! Office" he said evenly, land if you're
going-why, go!'
By collar and belt he swung him
back and drove him sprawling into q
drift.
Are you in a hurry, too, Shayne"
he asked pleasantly, and Shayne buried
his head beside Fallon's in the snow.
Then Steve closed the door carefully
and turned again to Big Louie.
Louie" he said, II make it rule to
urge no man who does not wish to
stay. If it needs persuasion to keep
you l do not want you here. But you
are running with the wrong crowd,
Louie You'll learn it some day. but
some day may be too late"
The big, dreamy eyed man was hard
ly listening, but he gestured toward
the door. And Steve treated his de-
parture kindly, as he had always treat
ed his presence.
Outside where Shayne and Fallon
had picked themselves up Big Louie
hesitated and fumbled in his pocket
II 1oH