The Iron Boys as Foremen; or, Heading the Diamond Drill Shift

by Mrs. Molesworth

  CHAPTER XIV

  MINERS MAKE DEMANDS

  "YOU go on about your business. You do not belong with this committee,"snapped Cavard as the Iron Boy joined them at the entrance to thesuperintendent's office, where the meeting was to take place.

  "If the superintendent doesn't wish to see me I will leave. You have nobusiness to give me orders, so attend to your own affairs, if you willbe so good."

  The lad slipped in behind the others and stood near the door of theprivate office, where, with the others, he was awaiting the arrival ofMr. Penton. The latter entered very shortly afterwards.

  "Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you this evening?" questioned theexecutive smilingly.

  Cavard cleared his throat, assuming his most suave air.

  "In the first place, Mr. Penton, we are a duly authorized committee withpower to wait upon you. This boy Rush is not a member of the committee.We represent the newly formed union. Will you kindly ask the boy towithdraw?"

  The superintendent elevated his eyebrows in mild surprise.

  "Is he not a member of the union?"

  "Yes," admitted Cavard with evident reluctance.

  "And you are here in the interests of the union?"

  "Certainly, sir."

  "Then I see no objection to his remaining. If you are here in theinterest, as you say, or in behalf of the men of our own mines, any oneof the other men is free to be present and to hear all that takes placebetween us. Rush, sit down, if you wish."

  Steve, without showing either triumph or satisfaction in his face,quietly seated himself against the wall. Cavard's face was dark, but hemade no reply to the superintendent's word in the matter.

  "As I already have said, we represent the new union," continued theRussian. "At a meeting last night certain grievances that have longexisted in the mine--that is, you understand, it is the union speaking,not myself personally?"

  "Oh, certainly. Go on," smiled the superintendent.

  "Certain grievances were taken up and discussed. The result of thatdiscussion was the drawing up of certain demands, which the minersbelieve you will not hesitate to grant. It had been understood thatthese concessions already had been under consideration by the mineofficials."

  "I am not aware that any particular concessions to the miners have beencontemplated. What are your demands?"

  "The demands of the union are for an eight-hour day and an increase inthe scale of wages. Neither demand is at all unreasonable----"

  "Let me see your papers," interrupted Mr. Penton.

  The walking delegate and president handed the paper containing theminers' demands to the superintendent. Mr. Penton read the documentthrough quickly, then went over it again.

  "These are very radical demands, Mr. Cavard," he said, glancing up atthe walking delegate.

  "We think not, sir."

  "And in the event of these demands being refused, may I ask what it isthe purpose of the members of the union to do?"

  "That is a matter for future consideration. I have no doubt, however,that a satisfactory arrangement can be made between us."

  "What mines are included in the union?"

  "All of the mines belonging to this company, both surface andunderground, together with the independent mines on the range. The otherand independent mines have been represented by delegates at the meetingsthus far."

  "You say this was decided upon at the meeting last night?"

  "Yes, sir."

  "And it was a wholly representative meeting?"

  "It was, sir. The delegates from the various shafts were on hand, thoughmany were unable to attend."

  "May I say something, sir?" asked Steve.

  "Certainly. What is it, Rush?"

  "I merely wish to present for your consideration the fact that Ibelieve the meeting at which these demands were drawn up was not arepresentative one. Many of us did not receive our notifications untilthis morning."

  "That was your own fault," interjected Cavard.

  "I beg to differ with you. The notifications advising us that themeeting was to be held last night were not mailed until midnight lastnight, after the meeting had taken place, Mr. Cavard, and you know thatis the truth. It was a 'fixed' meeting and I am willing to go before arepresentative gathering of the union and prove that fact."

  "I object!" shouted the Duke. "I did not come here to be insulted by ayoung loafer like you."

  Mr. Penton hammered on the table with his fist.

  "Gentlemen, that will do. Mr. Rush is not a loafer. I consider him ayoung gentleman and an honest man. If his point is correct, I have butone thing to say."

  Cavard's face worked nervously. He was making a violent effort tocontrol himself. Mr. Penton was eyeing the man keenly.

  "If you can show me that these demands have been approved by a full andrepresentative gathering of the men in our employ, then I will not onlytake your grievances into consideration, but will transmit them to theofficers of the company for their decision. You no doubt know that it isnot within my power to grant such sweeping demands as these. Unless itis the expression of a majority of the men, I decline to give the matterany attention whatever."

  "Are you going to take the word of an irresponsible boy against that ofa man of experience and recognized standing among the men in youremploy?" almost shouted Cavard, who was rapidly losing his self-control.

  "I am of the opinion that Rush's standing is equally as high as yourown. You thought enough of him to make him the secretary of yourorganization. As such, he surely should be entitled to attentionand----"

  "He is not the secretary of the union. The men fired him out last night.He was----"

  Cavard checked himself suddenly. His face flushed. He had said somethingthat he had not intended to say at all, but his temper had gotten thebetter of him, leading him into an unwitting admission.

  Steve Rush grinned sarcastically.

  "Is this true, Rush?" demanded the superintendent, turning toward Steve.

  "I am told that it is," replied the boy politely. "I have not yetlearned why, but I have a fairly good idea."

  "And what do you propose to do about it, my lad?"

  "I am going to see to it that the men understand the trick that has beenplayed on them. I am going to let the majority of them know how theywere fooled as to the meeting. I think they will be rather surprised.But I beg your pardon; I have said too much."

  "I should say you had," muttered Cavard.

  "The interview is closed, gentlemen," announced Mr. Penton. "You have myultimatum in the matter. When you can come to me properly authorized, Iwill give your demands consideration, and not until then. I have nothingto do with your differences in your organization. I do know, however,that Mr. Rush is a young man whose word I would take as far as that ofany man I know. Good evening, gentlemen."

  The superintendent rose, indicating that the interview need not beprolonged.

  Very much crestfallen, the delegates turned toward the door, followed bySteve.

  "You will hear from us again, Mr. Penton," announced Cavard, speakingwith emotion.

  "Very good, sir."

  "You young whelp, you'll suffer for this evening's work," raged thewalking delegate when the callers had regained the street. "I'll see toit that your path isn't one of roses hereafter. I give you fair warning.I am the master here, and you will find that out to your sorrow."

  "It has been my experience," answered Steve, "that men who make theloudest threats are the least to be feared. Let me tell you, while Ihave the opportunity, that the best thing you can do is to carry on theaffairs of the union honestly. Otherwise you will go down, and the unionwill go down with you."

  Steve turned away. Once more he had defeated the walking delegate andpresident of the union by a masterful move.