“Now, why do you fellows want to throw away your money?” The superintendent started to argue with them, showing the absurdity of the notion that they could gain anything by such a course. The mine had been running for years on its present system, and there had never been any complaint. The idea that a company as big and as responsible as the “G. F. C.” would stoop to cheat its workers out of a few tons of coal! And so on, for several minutes. “Mr. Cartwright,” said Edstrom, when the other had finished, “you know I’ve worked all my life in mines, and most of it in this district. I am telling you something I know when I say there is general dissatisfaction throughout these camps because the men feel they are not getting their weight. You say there has been no public complaint; you understand the reason for this--” “What is the reason?” “Well,” said Edstrom, gently, “maybe you don’t know the reason--but anyway we’ve decided that we want a check-weighman.” It was evident that the superintendent had been taken by surprise, and was uncertain how to meet the issue. “You can imagine,” he said, at last, “the company doesn’t relish hearing that its men believe it’s cheating them--” “We don’t say the company knows anything about it, Mr. Cartwright. It’s possible that some people may be taking advantage of us, without either the company or yourself having anything to do with it. It’s for your protection as well as ours that a check-weighman is needed.” “Thank you,” said the other, drily. His tone revealed that he was holding himself in by an effort. “Very well,” he added, at last. “That’s enough about the matter, if your minds are made up. I’ll give you my decision later.” This was a dismissal, and Mike Sikoria turned humbly, and started to the door. But Edstrom was one of the ants that did not readily “step one side”; and Mike took a glance at him, and then stepped back into line in a hurry, as if hoping his delinquency had not been noted. “If you please, Mr. Cartwright,” said Edstrom, “we’d like your decision, so as to have the check-weighman start in the morning.” “What? You’re in such a hurry?” “There’s no reason for delay, sir. We’ve selected our man, and we’re ready to pay him.” “Who are the men who are ready to pay him? Just you two” “I am not at liberty to name the other men, sir.” “Oh! So it’s a secret movement!” “In a way--yes, sir.” “Indeed!” said the superintendent, ominously. “And you don’t care what the company thinks about it!” “It’s not that, Mr. Cartwright, but we don’t see anything for the company to object to. It’s a simple business arrangement--”