to him that hath-第32章

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〃McNish；〃　echoed　Jack；　a　cloud　falling　upon　his　face。　　〃I　confess　I
don't　understand　McNish。　　At　least；〃　he　added；　〃I　am　sorry　for
McNish。　　But　what　do　you　say　to　my　scheme；　Dad？〃

〃Well；　boy；〃　said　his　father；　beginning　to　laugh　again；　〃give　me　a
night　to　think　it　over。〃

Then　Jack　departed；　not　quite　sure　of　himself　or　of　the　plan　which
appeared　to　give　his　father　such　intense　amusement。　　〃At　any　rate；〃
he　said　to　himself　as　he　walked　out　of　the　office；　〃if　it　is　a　joke
it　is　a　good　one。　　And　it　has　given　the　governor　a　better　laugh
than　he　has　had　for　five　years。〃

The　Mayor　of　Blackwater　was　peculiarly　sensitive　to　public　opinion
and　acutely　susceptible　of　public　approval。　　In　addition；　he　was
possessed　of　a　somewhat　exalted　idea　of　his　powers　as　the
administrator　in　public　affairs；　and　more　particularly　as　a
mediator　in　times　of　strife。　　He　had　been　singularly　happy　in　his
mediation　between　the　conflicting　elements　in　his　Council；　and　more
than　once　he　had　been　successful　in　the　composing　of　disputes　in
arbitration　cases　submitted　to　his　judgment。　　Moreover；　he　had　an
eye　to　a　second　term　in　the　mayor's　chair；　which　gubernatorial　and
majestical　office　gave　full　scope　to　the　ruling　ambition　of　his
life；　which　was；　in　his　own　words；　〃to　guard　the　interests　and
promote　the　well…being　of　my　people。〃

The　industrial　strike　appeared　to　furnish　him　with　an　opportunity
to　gratify　this　ambition。　　He　resolved　to　put　an　end　to　this
unnecessary　and　wasteful　struggle；　and　to　that　end　he　summoned　to　a
public　meeting　his　fellow　citizens　of　all　classes；　at　which　he
invited　each　party　in　the　industrial　strife　to　make　a　statement　of
their　case；　in　the　hope　that　a　fair　and　reasonable　settlement　might
be　effected。

The　employers　were　more　than　dubious　of　the　issue；　having　but　a
small　idea　of　the　mayor's　power　of　control　and　less　of　his　common…
sense。　　Brother　Simmons；　however；　foreseeing　a　magnificent　field
for　the　display　of　his　forensic　ability；　a　thing　greatly　desired　by
labour　leaders　of　his　kidney；　joyfully　welcomed　the　proposal。
McNish　gave　hesitating　assent；　but；　relying　upon　his　experience　in
the　management　of　public　assemblies　and　confident　of　his　ability　to
shape　events　to　his　own　advantage；　he　finally　agreed　to　accept　the
invitation。

The　public　meeting　packed　the　City　Hall；　with　representatives　of
both　parties　in　the　controversy　in　about　equal　numbers　and　with　a
great　body　of　citizens　more　or　less　keenly　interested　in　the　issue
of　the　meeting　and　expectant　of　a　certain　amount　of　〃fun。〃　　The
Mayor's　opening　speech　was　thoroughly　characteristic。　　He　was
impressed　with　the　responsibility　that　was　his　for　the　well…being
of　his　people。　　Like　all　right…thinking　citizens　of　this　fair　town
of　Blackwater；　he　deeply　regretted　this　industrial　strife。　　It
interfered　with　business。　　It　meant　loss　of　money　to　the　strikers。
It　was　an　occasion　of　much　inconvenience　to　the　citizens　and　it
engendered　bitterness　of　feeling　that　might　take　months；　even
years；　to　remove。　　He　stood　there　as　the　friend　of　the　working　man。
He　was　a　working　man　himself　and　was　proud　of　it。　　He　believed　that
on　the　whole　they　were　good　fellows。　　He　was　a　friend　also　of　the
employers　of　labour。　　What　could　we　do　without　them？　　How　could　our
great　industries　prosper　without　their　money　and　their　brains？　　The
one　thing　necessary　for　success　was　co…operation。　　That　was　the
great　word　in　modern　democracy。　　In　glowing　periods　he　illustrated
this　point　from　their　experiences　in　the　war。　　All　they　wanted　to
do　was　to　sit　down　together；　and；　man　to　man；　talk　their　difficulties
over。　　He　would　be　glad　to　assist　them；　and　he　had　no　doubt　as　to
the　result。　　He　warned　the　working　man　that　hard　times　were　coming。
The　spectre　of　unemployment　was　already　parading　their　streets。
Unemployment　meant　disorder；　rioting。　　This；　he　assured　them；　would
not　be　permitted。　　At　all　costs　order　would　be　maintained。　　He　had
no　wish　to　threaten；　but　he　promised　them　that　the　peace　would　be
preserved　at　all　costs。　　He　suggested　that　the　strikers　should　get
back　at　once　to　work　and　the　negotiations　should　proceed　in　the
meantime。

At　this　point　Brother　Simmons　rose。

〃The　mayor　（h）urges　the　workers　to　get　back　to　work；〃　he　said。
〃Does　'e　mean　at　（h）increased　pay；　or　not？　　'E　says　as　'ow　this
strike　interferes　with　business。　　'E　doesn't　tell　us　what　business。
But　I　can　tell　'im　it　（h）interferes　with　the　business　of　robbery　of
the　workin'　man。　　'E　deplores　the　loss　of　money　to　the　strikers。
Let　me　tell　'im　that　the　workin'　men　are　prepared　to　suffer　that
loss。　　True；　they　'ave　no　big　bank　accounts　to　carry　'em　on；　but
there　are　things　that　they　love　more　than　moneyliberty　and
justice　and　the　rights　of　the　people。　　What　are　we　strikin'　for？
Nothin'　but　what　is　our　own。　　The　workin'　man　makes　（h）everything
that　is　made。　　What　percentage　of　the　returns　does　'e　get　in　wages？
They　won't　tell　us　that。　　Last　year　these　factories　were　busy　in
the　makin'　o'　munitions。　　Mr。　McGinnis　'ere　was　makin'　shells。　　I'd
like　to　（h）ask；　Mr。　Mayor；　what　profit　Mr。　McGinnis　made　out　of
these　shells。〃

Mr。　McGinnis　sprang　to　his　feet；　〃I　want　to　tell　you；〃　he　said　in　a
voice　choking　with　rage；　〃that　it　is　none　of　your　high…explosive
business。〃

〃'E　says　as　it　is　none　o'　my　business；〃　cried　Brother　Simmons；
joyously　taking　Mr。　McGinnis　on。　　〃Let　me　（h）ask　'im　who　paid　for
these　shells？　　I　did；　you　did；　all　of　us　did。　　Not　my　business？
Then　'ose　business　is　it？　　（H）If　'e　was　paid　a　fair　price　for　'is
shells；　（h）all　right；　I　say　nothin'　against　it。　　If　'e　was　paid
more　than　a　fair　price；　then　'e　is　a　robber；　worse；　'e　is　a　blood
robber；　because　the　price　was　paid　in　blood。〃

At　once　a　dozen　men　were　on　their　feet。　　Cries　of　〃Order！　　Order！〃
and　〃Put　him　out！〃　arose　on　every　hand。　　The　mayor　rose　from　his
chair　and；　in　an　impressive　voice；　said：　　〃We　must　have　order。　　Sit
down；　Mr。　Simmons。〃　　Simmons　sat　down　promptly。　　Union　men　are
thoroughly　disciplined　in　points　of　order。　　〃We　must　have　order；〃
continued　the　mayor。　　〃I　will　not　permit　any　citizen　to　be
insulted。　　We　all　did　our　bit　in　this　town　of　Blackwater。　　Some　of
us　went　to　fight；　and　some　that　could　not　go　to　fight　'kept　the
home　fires　burning'。〃　　A　shout　of　derisive　laughter　from　the
working　men　greeted　this　phrase。　　The　mayor　was　deeply　hurt。　　〃I
want　to　say　that　those　who　could　not　go　to　the　war　did　their　bit　at
home。　　Let　the　meeting　proceed；　but　let　us　observe　the　courtesies
that　are　proper　in　debate。〃

Again　Simmons　took　the　floor。　　〃As　I　was　sayin'；　Mr。　Mayor〃

Cries　of　〃Order！　　Order！　　Sit　down！〃

〃Mr。　Mayor；　I　believe　I　'ave　the　floor？〃

〃Yes；　you　have。　　Go　on。　　But　you　must　not　insult。〃

〃（H）Insult？　　Did　I　（h）insult　anybody？　　I　don't　know　what　Mr。　McGinnis
made　from　'is　shells。　　I　only　said　that　ifyou　（h）understandif　'e
made　more　than　e　ought　to；　'e　is　a　robber。　And　since　the　price　of
our　freedom　was　paid　in　blood；　if　'e　made　more　than　was　fair；　'e's　a
blood　robber。〃

Again　the　cries　arose。　　〃Throw　him　out！〃　　Once　more　the　mayor　rose。
〃You　must　not　make　insinuations；　sir；〃　he　cried　angrily。　　〃You　must
not　make　insinuations　against　respectable　citizens。〃

〃（H）Insinooations；〃　cried　Simmons。　　〃No；　sir；　I　never　make　no
（h）insinooations。　　If　I　knew　that　（h）any　man　'ere　'ad　made
（h）unfair　profits　I　wouldn't　make　no　（h）insinooations。　　I　would
charge　'im　right　'ere　with　blood　robbery。　　And　let　me　say；〃　shouted
Simmons；　taking　a　step　into　the　aisle；　〃that　the　time　may　come　when
the　working　men　of　this　country　will　make　these　charges；　and　will
（h）ask　the　people　who　kept　the　''ome　fires　burning'〃

Yells　of　derisive　laughter。

〃what　profits　came　to　them　from　these　same　'ome　fires。　　The
people　will　（h）ask　for　an　（h）explanation　of　these　bank　accounts；　of
these　new　factories；　of　these　big　stores；　of　these　（h）autermobiles。
The　people　that　went　to　the　war　and　were　（h）unfortoonate　enough　to
return　came　back　to　poverty；　while　many　of　these　'ere　'ome　fire
burners　came　（h）out　with　fortunes。〃　　At　this　point　brother　Simmons
cast　a　fierce　and　baleful　eye　upon　a　group　of　the　employers　who　sat
silent　and　wrathful　before　him。　　〃And　now；　what　I　say；〃　continued
Brother　Simmons

At　this　point　a　quiet　voice　was　heard。

〃Mr。　Mayor；　I　rise　to　a　point　of　order。〃

Immediately　Simmons　took　his　seat。

〃Mr。　Farrington；〃　said　the　mayor；　recognising　one　of　the　largest
building　contractors　in　the　town。

〃Mr。　Mayor；　I　should　like　to　ask　what　are　we　discussing　this
afternoon？　　Are　we　discussing　the　war　records　of　the　citizens　of
Blackwater？　　If　so；　that　is　not　what　I　came　for。　　It　may　be
interesting　to　find　out　what　each　man　did　in　the　war。　　I　find　that
those　who　did　most　say　least。　　I　don't　know　what　Mr。　Simmons　did　in
the　war。　　I　suppose　he　was　there。〃

With　one　spring　Simmons　was　on　his　feet　and　in　the　aisle。　　He
ripped　off　coat　and　vest；　pulled　his　shirt　over　his　head　and
revealed　a　back　covered　with　the　network　of　ghastly　scars。　　〃The
gentleman　（h）asks；〃　he　panted；　〃what　I　done　in　the　war。　　I　don't
know。　　I　cannot　say　what　I　done　in　the　war；　but　that　is　what　the
war　done　to　me。〃　　The　effect　was　positively　overwhelming。

A　deadly　silence　gripped　the　audience　for　a　single　moment。　　Then
upon　every　hand　rose　fierce　yells；　oaths　and　strange　cries。　　Above
the　uproar　came　Farrington's　booming　voice。　　Leaving　his　seat；
which　was　near　the　back　of　the　hall；　he　came　forward；　crying　out：

〃Mr。　Mayor！　　Mr。　Mayor！　　I　demand　attention！〃　　As　he　reached
Simmons's　side；　he　paused　and；　facing　about；　he　looked　upon　the
array　of　faces　pale　and　tense　with　passion。　　〃I　want　to　apologise
to　this　gentleman；〃　he　said　in　a　voice　breaking　with　emotion。　　〃I
should　not　have　said　what　I　did。　　The　man　who　bears　these　scars　is
a　man　I　am　proud　to　know。〃　　He　turned　swiftly　toward　Simmons　with
outstretched　hand。　　〃I　am　proud　to　know　you；　sir。　　I　could　not　go
to　the　war。　　I　was　past　age。　　I　sent　my　two　boys。　　They　are　over
there　still。〃　　As　the　two　men　shook　hands；　for　once　in　his　life
Simmons　was　speechless。　　His　face　was　suffused　with　uncontrollable
feeling。　　On　every　side　were　seen　men；　strong　men；　with　tears
streaming　down　their　faces。　　A　nobler　spirit　seemed　to　fall　upon
them　all。　　In　the　silence　that　followed；　Mr。　Maitland　rose。

〃Mr。　Mayor；〃　he　said　quietly；　〃we　have　all　suffered　together　in
this　war。　　I；　for　one；　want　to　do　the　fair　thing　by　our　men。　　Let
us　meet　them　and　talk　things　over　before　any　fair…minded　committee。
Surely　we　who　have　suffered　together　in　war　can　work　together　in
peace。〃　　It　was　a　noble　appeal；　and　met　with　a　noble　response。　　On
all　sides　and　from　all　parties　a　storm　of　cheers　broke　forth。

Then　the　Reverend　Murdo　Matheson　rose　to　his　feet。　　〃Mr。　Mayor；〃　he
said；　〃I　confess　I　was　not　hopeful　of　the　result　of　this　meeting。
But　I　am　sure　we　all　recognise　the　presence　and　influence　of　a
mightier　Spirit　than　ours。　　From　the　outset　I　have　been　convinced
that　the　problems　in　the　industrial　situation　here　are　not　beyond
solution；　and　should　yield　to　fair　and　reasonable　consideration。　　I
venture　to　move　that　a　committee　of　five　be　appointed；　two　to　be
chosen　by　each　of　the　parties　in　this　dispute；　who　would　in　turn
choose　a