CHAPTER X
THE GENTLEMAN IN THE WOODPILE
"BOB, I've torn down the woodpile," announced Steve, as he entered theirroom at the boarding house half an hour later.
"What woodpile?" demanded Jarvis blankly.
"The one we have been guessing about; and I've found the black gentlemanwho has been in hiding there."
"You don't mean that you have solved the mystery?"
"I have."
"Well, you are a wonder. Tell me about it."
"They are trying to unionize the mines."
"You don't say! Who is trying to do it?"
"Cavard is at the bottom of the whole business, I believe. He has withhim the president of the Central Iron Miners' Association and they areputting up this job together, though I believe the Duke is the realman."
"So that's the game, is it?"
"It is."
"How did you chance to learn all this?"
Steve related what had occurred in the reading room of the hotel,telling his companion how he had been lured to Driscold's room on thepretext of looking over some samples of ore, and where they were soonjoined by the Duke.
"What did they want of you?" questioned Jarvis.
"They wanted me to join the union, of course. They wanted me to use myinfluence with the men, promising me quick promotion if I did join inand help them to organize."
"What did you tell them?"
"I don't remember all I said, but I made it clear that I wanted none ofit. I am satisfied that this union business is a delusion and a snare.Mr. Carrhart talked with me quite a little on that subject when he wasup here some months ago. He gave me a lot of points about the methodsfollowed by some of these union organizers, and he showed me whatmiserable things strikes are."
"Yes; I guess they are pretty bad," agreed Jarvis. "I have never seenone."
"And I hope you never will. I don't believe a strike could ever benefiteither employe or employer. Don't you get mixed up with them, Bob."
"Not I," answered Jarvis with emphasis. "I'm pretty well satisfied withthe way I am being used. I've learned a lot of things in the past year,and most of them I have learned from you. I'm very much obliged for thelicking you gave me. You hammered some sense into my head and I haven'tlost all of it yet. When I do, you may give me another walloping."
"I'm afraid I should not be able to do it now. You have grown sincethen, Bob."
"So have you."
"Then we are in good shape to thrash somebody else, if the occasiondemands, eh?"
"You bet! We'll do that, all right. Do you think there is going to betrouble?"
"I should not be surprised. I do not know, of course, how far this thinghas gone, but the organizers have been working for a long time, as youand I both know. I am inclined to believe that the Duke has gotten astrong hold on the men. You observed how our fellows acted after theyreturned from their outing on Sunday?"
"Yes; I noticed it. They all acted as if they had lost their week'swages. So that's what was going on, eh?"
"Yes; they must have had a meeting out at the lake. I wish I knewwhether they have organized or not. I am inclined to believe that theyhave not, though. But, if not, they are getting perilously close todoing so."
"Should we not tell Mr. Penton?"
"I had thought of that, but we talked this matter over once before anddecided not to do so. He probably knows more about what is going on thanwe do. However, if we see it is going on to a finish, perhaps it wouldbe our duty to give him a hint of what we know. I dislike to carry talesof any kind. Again, I doubt if this is any of our business. We know whatwe shall do; we'll fight the proposed union at every opportunity if themen are going to strike. I believe it would be the worst thing thatcould happen to the men, short of a mine disaster, and the company, towhich we owe full allegiance, would suffer greatly."
"What are the men going to do when they become organized?" asked Bob.
"Judging from what the two men said, I should judge they would demandhigher wages and shorter hours."
Bob uttered a grunt of disapproval.
"Next thing we know they'll be wanting the bosses to lay them off andpay them double wages while they are off. I never saw anything like thecheek of some people."
"The laboring man is entitled to some consideration," mused Steve. "Butthere is a limit. We will lie low and attend to our own business untilsomething else develops."
Something did develop later in the week. The word had been passedquietly about that there was to be a meeting of the miners of the dayshift to take up the question of organizing. The meeting was to be heldin a bowling alley over the only livery stable in the place. Only thosewere invited of whom the organizers were sure.
Bob Jarvis got wind of the meeting through overhearing two of the men inhis shift discussing it. He told Steve at the first opportunity. Thelatter thought over the matter all the rest of the day.
"Bob," he said, that night, "I am going to attend that meeting. Will youcome along?"
"Where you go, I go," answered Jarvis, laughingly. "But won't they putus out?"
"I guess not. If they do, it won't help their cause any. They will beglad to have us there if they think they can convert us. At least, weshall know what is going on, and we may be able to do something for thecompany."
"Do what?"
"I don't know. We shall see," Steve replied enigmatically. "Leave it tome. Don't do anything rash, but let me engineer this thing. I may bringtrouble down upon my head, but I have an idea."
Bob agreed to "be good." The meeting was scheduled to be held thatnight, and nine o'clock was the appointed hour.
The boys delayed their walk that evening. They did not leave the houseuntil long after eight o'clock, by which time nearly all the men fromthe boarding house had dressed themselves in their best and hurriedaway.
"You see, they are all going to attend the meeting," nodded Rush. "Thatshows you how far this thing has advanced."
"It certainly looks that way. I didn't think it was anything like this,did you, Steve?"
"No; I did not. We had better be starting now."
On the way the lads were hailed by Mr. Penton.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, lads?" he called.
"We are going out for the evening," answered Steve. "I have beenthinking about labor unions to-day, Mr. Penton. Are you opposed to them?Are they a factor for good or otherwise?"
The superintendent laughed.
"Older heads than yours have disagreed on that subject. I hold ratherpronounced views. There are unions that are ably managed by upright,intelligent men. Such unions are a good thing. The difficulty is thatmany others are managed by unscrupulous men, working to serve only theirown ends, no matter what the cost to the employer. Such unions are amenace, both to the men and to their employers. That is my position."
"Then, Mr. Penton, if you were to have a union, say in your mines here,honestly managed and directed by upright men, you would not object toit?"
"Most assuredly not."
This was a new point of view for Steve Rush. It gave him a broaderinsight into the question.
"Are you thinking of organizing a union, my boy?" asked thesuperintendent, with a smile.
"Well, not exactly, sir. If I were to join a union would it prejudiceyou against me?"
"Not at all. I know you--know your honesty too well. It would be a goodthing for any union to have such men as yourself and Jarvis with it."
"Thank you, sir," answered Steve.
The boys bade the superintendent good-bye and went on their way to themeeting place.
"What in the world did all those questions of yours mean?" demanded Bobafter they had gotten out of ear shot of the superintendent.
Steve did not answer. He was thinking deeply.
"You have something in mind, Steve Rush."
"Yes, I have, Bob. In fact, I have partially changed my mind."
"About what have you changed your mind?"<
br />
"I will tell you later."
Reaching the hall where the meeting was to be held, the chums found theplace packed with miners. As the boys made their way to the rear of theroom, where they saw an unoccupied window seat, the miners recognizedthem and set up a loud cheer.
Driscold and Cavard occupied seats on the platform. The men exchangedsignificant glances when they saw the boys enter the hall. They were notquite sure whether they approved the presence of the Iron Boys. But, inview of the attitude taken by the miners, the two men could not wellobject to Steve and Bob remaining.
Mr. Driscold soon after called the meeting to order. He stated verybriefly the purpose of the organization, which was, in short, he said,to guard the men from oppression and to look out for their generalwelfare. He gave figures to show how many of the miners of the countryalready belonged to unions, and urged the men to form a union beforeleaving the hall.
"How many of you are in favor of doing this?" he demanded. "All in favorwill rise."
Nearly every man in the hall rose to his feet, though the Iron Boys satquietly in their places.
Next Mr. Driscold proposed Mr. Cavard for president of the local union,which was to include all the mines on the range, and from all of whichrepresentatives were present. Cavard was elected unanimously. Stevecaught the faint flicker of a smile as it swept over the face of theDuke. Rush nudged his companion.
"The next thing," continued Mr. Driscold, "will be the election of asecretary. This should be done before any other business is transacted.After that you will all sign your names to the roll. I have a charteralready made out for you. Who will you have for your secretary?"
"Steve Rush!" shouted a voice.
"Rush, Rush, Rush!" shouted voices from all parts of the hall, until thedemand became one insistent roar.
"I move we elect Steve Rush our secretary," cried a man, springing to achair.
"Second the motion!"
Driscold, rather red of face, rapped for order.
"It has been moved and seconded that Stephen Rush be elected assecretary of this organization. I will not attempt to advise you. It isfor you to say whom you desire to fill your offices. But be sure thatyou make no mistake. Rush may be a most estimable young man, but youmust remember that he is young."
"Not so young that he didn't save the lives of a lot of the men," criedone.
"Rush, Rush, Rush!" roared the miners.
"All in favor will rise," announced Driscold.
He plainly showed his irritation, as did Cavard. The meeting had taken aturn that they did not like. Still, the organizers had won. Affairs werepractically in their own hands.
Every man in the room sprang to his feet, shouting for the Iron Boy.
"Young Rush is unanimously elected," announced Driscold. "The newlyelected officers will take their places."
Cavard took the chair. At that moment several men swooped down towardthe place where the boys were sitting.
Bob Jarvis was so amazed that for a moment he did not speak.
"What are you going to do, Steve?" he stammered.
"I am going to accept," announced the lad in a determined tone.
"You--you are going to join the union?"
"Yes; I am going to join the union. I would suggest that you do thesame. I have changed my mind, old chap, and I'll tell you why later."
The miners grabbed Steve, hoisted him to their shoulders and bore him tothe platform, where they set him down in a chair at the table placed forthe secretary.
The Iron Boys as Foremen; or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift Page 10