James R. Mears

“ Cavard, are you helping to unionize the mines here?"
"Whatever I am doing is done wholly in the interest of the rank and file of the mines," snapped Cavard. "You are making a mistake in antagonizing us in this way. We had hoped that you would see the matter in its true light, and that you might prove a valuable aid to us."
"In what way?" demanded Steve.
"You are popular with the men; you have a great deal of influence with them, even though you are a boy. We had hoped that you might enter into the plan and accept an important office in the union." ”

“ Cried Rush.
"There is the traitor!" cried Rush, pointing to the triumphant Cavard. "That is the man who has brought this about, and all for his own gain. He is as crooked as the tram road on the sixteenth level in the Red Rock Mine."
With a yell, the mob surged toward the spot where Steve was standing. Bob Jarvis slowly rose to his feet. ”

“ Steve knew and understood this, but he knew that he had done no one an injustice. He had worked hard, and if his employers considered that he was entitled to promotion that was his own good fortune.
"One seldom gets anything in this world unless he works for it and earns it," was the lad's wise conclusion on this particular morning, as his keen eyes caught a disgruntled look on the face of more than one man working under him. ”

“ There was a sullen roar when the miners discovered who it was, and the mob rose to its feet, surging toward Steve.
"Stay where you are if you value your lives. There are fifty rifles trained on this hall at this moment. The guardsmen will riddle you with bullets if you make a hostile move toward me."
[pg 248] The men hesitated.
"I am your friend, though you do not believe it. I will prove to you that I am. Listen to me, boys. Listen! That man," pointing to Cavard, "is a scoundrel. It is he who has led you on to this terrible strike. It is he who is to blame for the suffering of your families. ”

“ Bob Jarvis nodded his approval of what Steve had said.
"I rather thought so. While I shall not want to lose you, you may rest assured that I shall leave nothing undone to push you along. You have a career before you, each of you. The keynote of success in the industrial world is patriotism. There is patriotism for flag and country and there is another kind as well—patriotism of achievement. It is this patriotism which accomplishes [pg 28] great works in the industrial world. Without it our great industries could not exist." ”

“ We want young men to hold our offices, young men of brains, like yourself. It is the history of our organization that such young men, almost from the moment that they assume office in the union, make rapid strides in their work. They are sure to earn rapid promotion. We see to that; we push them along. Why, I know of a young man about your age who, like yourself, was a foreman before joining the union. In less than a year after doing so he was promoted to be a superintendent. ”

“ Segunder Olsen was an Icelander, a veritable giant in stature, and known to be a man possessing great strength. He had been forced out with his fellows when the strike was called. Steve had never passed half a dozen words with the Icelander. The latter was a taciturn man, but one who could do a day's work that was the wonder of the men who worked with him.
"What do you want, Olsen?" demanded Steve, trying to release himself from the other's grip.
"You make this strike, huh?"
"What—why certainly not. What made you think I did?"
"Men say you tell bosses not to pay us money. ”

“ The miners started to pounce upon him.
"Stand back!" shouted Bob. "I'll shoot the first man who makes a move!"
Olsen was struggling to get up. Bob was beside him in an instant.
"Pull Cavard away!" commanded the lad.
No one made a move to do so. Jarvis dragged the unconscious leader to one side, then sprang back to Olsen, who was pulling himself together.
"Olsen! Segunder! I hit you. I had to do it, or you would have killed him. Come with me. Come now! You've whipped him. He won't do any more fighting for a while, I'll wager. Come, now—that's a good fellow." ”

“ Every man of the hundreds took up the cry. Steve Rush stood calmly on the bridge, his attention divided between the men creeping up the ravine and the mob on the surface. He held a piece of railroad iron in his hands, but this was the only weapon he had for his own defence, in case the men should decide to rush upon him from the end of the structure. ”

“ Any delay is so much more money in the pockets of the bosses. I do not wish to influence you; I merely want to point out the facts to you."
"Then we'll strike here and now!" yelled a miner, springing to his feet.
[pg 159] Steve recognized in him another of the walking delegate's lieutenants.
"Yes! Strike, strike, strike!" howled a hundred voices. Men leaped to their feet, yelling madly, beside themselves with excitement.
The walking delegate, by skilful manipulation, had stirred the men to a dangerous pitch. They were ready to do and dare anything. The mob spirit had taken possession of them. ”

“ Barton, mining captain of the Red Rock Mine?"
Olsen nodded.
"And he would not take you back?"
"Him no take me."
"He will to-morrow," said Steve.
"Oh, if you will do that for my husband, I shall bless you!" exclaimed the woman. "Segunder, this young man is a good man. Surely he could not have brought this terrible thing upon us."
Segunder's face relaxed a little.
"Are you in need of assistance, Mrs. Olsen?"
The woman hesitated. Her pride was battling with her love for her little family.
"Oh, yes, sir; we are. We do not care for ourselves, my husband and myself, but our children! ”

“ He may misunderstand our motive. If he does, we shall have to stand it; that's all."
"It may be the means of losing our jobs," suggested Jarvis.
Steve was thoughtful.
"I may have done wrong, but I did what I believed to be best. Out of the union we should not have so much influence with the men. In it we shall be able to do many things for both sides, being loyal to each."
"We're going to try to please everyone—is that it?" grinned Bob.
"If we are able to do it," replied Steve earnestly.
"How are we going to explain our action to Mr. Penton?" ”

“ Steve was caught up. His hat was lost, his coat was nearly ripped from his shoulders, and he was borne in triumph to the rostrum, where they tossed him up into the president's chair.
"You're the next president of the miners' union," they howled.
Steve raised a protesting hand.
"No, boys; you must choose an older man than I. You need level heads here. Besides, I may not be with you next year, but while I am here I shall work for your good. Good luck, boys! To-morrow you will go to work, and there will be happiness in your homes on Christmas Day." ”

“ Shortly before noon there was a meeting at Liberty Hall. Of course the Iron Boys were not present.
When the men came away from that meeting a change had stolen over them. They had ceased their noisy threats. Their faces were sullen and their words were few.
"Look out for trouble!" nodded Steve, as he observed the men from the window of a house across the way.
"Yes; they are loaded for bear," agreed Bob.
"Something has stirred them up. Probably Cavard has been talking to them. That man is a fiend in human form. He handles them, makes them his playthings, all to serve his own selfish purposes." ”

“ The man who can give them results is the man that the company wants to promote to higher positions. You have done well in this direction already. I shall expect you to continue to advance."
"You are very kind. We shall do the best we can, but it is a responsible position for a boy," replied Steve thoughtfully.
"For a mere boy, yes. I look upon you two lads as men. You have proved up to the mark, and you have done the work, assuming the responsibilities of full-grown men."
"What pay do we get?" questioned Bob Jarvis, with an eye to business.
Mr. Penton laughed. ”

“ Little does he care for the welfare of the men. He is working for Cavard, and for no one else. The man craves notoriety and power, and he is having more than his share of both just now. Did you ever meet his sister?"
"Once. She seems to be a mighty fine woman."
"So she impressed me."
"Why did you ask about the sister?" demanded Jarvis, his eyes narrowing as he squinted suspiciously at his companion.
"You ask too many questions. Hurry up, or we shall be late. It is nearly eight o'clock now, and the meeting is called for eight." ”

“ Jarvis, suddenly recalled to his duty, began edging along the rod until he had reached a point where he was able to hold the Italian until Steve righted himself.
It was a hard struggle, but after a few minutes the two boys succeeded in rescuing their companion and placing him beside them on the iron bar. Dominick was trembling from head to foot. He was so unnerved from his narrow escape that for some moments he could not speak.
"Brace up!" commanded Steve, slapping the man sharply on the cheek. ”

“ The postals were all on the floor when I opened up the place this morning."
"Did you read any of the postals?" asked Steve innocently.
"Oh, yes, I always read postals. Don't have much of anything else to do part of the day, you know," replied the postmaster in a matter-of-fact tone. "Why, what's in the wind? No trouble about it, is there?"
"There may be," replied the lad mysteriously. "But if you will state the facts when called upon to do so, there will be no trouble so far as you are concerned. Will you do that?" ”

“ The powder house, in all probability, is buried under tons of rock. I planted the drift with sticks of dynamite. When the fire reached them the explosion of the dynamite caved in the drift, thus shutting off the magazine and burying it. Your danger is from fire alone. Go back to work."
For a moment the rough men gazed at the slender, resolute lad standing before them; then the miners, with one accord, uttered a yell. Before the lads could dodge out of the way the miners had grabbed the Iron Boys, and, uttering choking hurrahs, bore the lads back through the level on a run. ”

“ Steve swung down the street at once. Half way down the block he met Cavard face to face.
The walking delegate stopped directly in front of the young man.
"Well, my friend, what do you think of the strike now?" demanded Cavard in a mocking tone.
"What do I think? I think it is the greatest outrage that was ever perpetrated on a body of men who have not the power to think for themselves. You will have much to answer for at the day of reckoning, Mr. Cavard."
"I'll pass all that, Rush. I have been talking with the men lately. They express themselves as being sorry for the way they used you. ”

“ What he cannot think of is beyond me," was the answer sent back to the mine from Mr. Penton.
No one knew how many lives had been lost, though everyone believed that a great disaster had overtaken the miners in the Red Rock Mine. This was true. Many had been cut off by the caving in of the roofs of the levels and drifts, while others, having been overcome by smoke, had fallen unconscious, some never to rise again.
Steve Rush, with his companion and a band of courageous men, was now fighting desperately to confine the fire to the eastern section of the mine, which was nearest to the shafts. ”

“ CHAPTER XII MINERS MEET IN SECRET
"WELL, Steve, I hear you joined the new union last night," said Mr. Penton, halting in the drift where Rush was directing some changes in the work of his shift.
The Iron Boy flushed.
"Yes, sir. I hope you have no objection to my having done so."
"Not in the least. We have nothing to fear from such upright men as you in the union. I wish they were all of the same calibre. I want to thank you for the speech you made last night. Such words do much toward steering the men in the right direction. ”

“ The blow smote the labor leader on the side of the jaw.
Cavard struck the floor with terrific force.
With an animal-like roar the Icelander threw himself upon the prostrate body of his antagonist. Olsen, in his terrible rage, had lost all control of himself. He was slow to anger, but when once aroused he was a wild animal.
Gripping the other man's shoulders, he banged [pg 225] him on the hard floor with crushing force. All at once the big, powerful fingers of the Icelander encircled the neck of the labor leader. A look of triumph shone in Olsen's eyes.
"Segunder!"
It was Bob Jarvis who spoke. ”

“ However, the business of the mining company comes first. Everything must give way before that. Our sole business in life, down here, is to get out iron ore. I am satisfied that this drift has not been getting out nearly as much as it should. I shall hereafter expect at least two more tons a day than you have been mining. If you find that you cannot do it, you will have to give me a good excuse. The ore is running soft. You'll never have easier work than what is before you now. Take some pride in your work. ”

“ Penton.
"Where are you going in such a hurry, lads?" he called.
"We are going out for the evening," answered Steve. "I have been thinking 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 rather pronounced views. There are unions that are ably managed by upright, intelligent men. Such unions are a good thing. ”

“ Penton, who was on his way to the mines from his office. Steve stepped up to him, touching his hat.
"How are you, boys? I have just closed down the shafts for the rest of the day. I don't like the looks of things."
"Neither do I, sir," answered Steve.
"What is it that you have observed?" questioned the superintendent.
"The men are loaded for trouble. Practically we are standing in a drift ready to be fired, and when the powder goes off the roof of the drift is likely to fall down on our heads and finish us." ”

“ They get all they can out of their men, and when those men are no longer useful to them, they cast the men aside as they would a piece of worn-out machinery. They care nothing for you; they would discharge you to-morrow were it not for the fact that you are useful to them."
"I think you are wrong, sir," retorted Steve sharply. "I have never worked for a corporation before. The corporation I am now working for is interested in me to the same extent that I am interested in my work. I believe all of these great industrial organizations are looking for young men who are in earnest. ”