Anecdotal.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 3, 21 April 1894, Page 7

Anecdotal.

AN AMICABLE ADJUSTMENTFirm as a rock stood the silent factory —firm and grim as the threatening headland of a winter coast* black, chill, and forbidding, while the mutterings of the angry strikers beat against it as the futile waves assault the irresponsive cliff. The men had been “ out, ” for three weeks, and Want had shown his haggard face through many windows of once happy though humble homes. Still the men stood firm. Their leader had told them they were fighting for » principle, and they were of the good old Puritan stock that dares death but knows not defeat. As the sighing of the wintry wind is mingled with the deep mutterings of the storm, so the wails of the women made a plaintive minor to the bass growls and execrations of the men. The workmen had assembled to hear the result of the conference between the purse-proud plutocrat who held in his hand their destinies, and their noble leader, the walking delegate, who had fought their so bravely, and had cheered them with words of hope, when it had otherwise seemed that hope had for ever fled. Suddenly a mighty roar arose, and the mass of men snrged forward. The carriage of the mill-owner had arrived, bearing on its velvet cushions the plutocrat himself. With him rode the pride of the people—the walking delegate. “ Ah, thSre’s the boy!” shouted an honest old Irishman. “ Sure, it is him that can hold his head up with any in the land.” The owner and the delegate dismounted from the luxurious carriage, and made their way to the door of the factory, and entered. In another moment they appeared at an upper window. The delegate stretched out his hand, and his SOOdol. diamond glinted in the sunshine like a ray of hope. A solemn hush fell on the crowd. Them he spoke—- “ Boys,” said he, “ we’ve made a winnin’.”

The hoarse cheers of the men and the joyous screams of women rent the air. After the tumnlt had subsided, the people’s partisan continued — “ Dey ain’t goin’ to raise wages, boys, ’cause we can’t afford it. But I’ve squared it dis fur. De boss’s daughter, she’s goin’ to marry me, an’ take me into de firm. See ?” The great doors were thrown open wide, and with three cheers for their leader who had fought so well, the men filed into the building, and again the hum of industry gladdened the air.—Puck.