Labor unions -- United States -- Drama; Social classes -- United States -- Drama; Strikes and lockouts -- Drama
It's their last chance.
And I can say, my boy, if you make good
And prove to be the man we're looking for,
I'll push you on as fast as you can go.
My partner here was one that proved himself.
And then next year we'll take my other mills
And break this Union thing or we'll know why.
A shot or two for your own land, you see.
HARVEY ANDERSON.
Free Work.
EGERTON.
Free Mills.
HARVEY ANDERSON.
Free men.
(_Starts left_)
EGERTON.
You know the way?
(_Egerton turns and goes into the mill-yard_)
SECOND SENTRY.
(_Comes in right and meets the First Sentry, who has just come
forward_)
Damn stuck-up fool! Just because Egerton
Invites him to his house.
FIRST SENTRY.
He's got a corn.
SECOND SENTRY.
I hope they'll tramp it off.
(_The First Sentry quickly signals that some one is coming toward
the gate_)
SECOND SENTRY.
God, I don't care.
(_The Chauffeur comes hurriedly from the mill-yard and goes and
gets into the car. A moment later General Chadbourne and Captain
Haskell appear_)
CHADBOURNE.
And I'll be there till nine or ten o'clock,
Or even later, for we've some important
Matters to attend to. And besides
It's going to be a very fine affair.
HASKELL.
All right, sir.
CHADBOURNE.
You won't need me, though, I'm sure.
Things seem to be all quiet at the station.
SECOND SENTRY.
(_As he goes out_)
Ass!
HASKELL.
We'll break camp to-morrow, I suppose
CHADBOURNE.
_That's_ what I had in mind a while ago!
I'm glad you spoke of it. When they pass these gates,
You be here, Haskell, and you get me word.
I want to be the first to break the news
To Egerton and the Governor; want to say:
'I have the honor to report to you,
Your Excellency,
And it gives me pleasure to announce to you
Upon the occasion of the opening
Of your new mansion, Colonel Egerton,
This bit of news, sir, from the military,
And I offer it with our congratulations,
The strike is over----'
VOICE OF JERGENS.
(_Back in the mill-yard_)
General Chadbourne!
CHADBOURNE.
Yes!--
'The men have yielded and have gone to work;
And all's been done without one drop of bloodshed,
Thanks to the Governor and to your co-operation
And to the splendid service of the boys.
To-morrow we break camp and go our ways.
Health to you and long life and peace hereafter
In your new home.' Or something of the sort.
I haven't whipped it into final shape.
HASKELL.
And got off, I suppose, with glasses lifted.
'Twill be a nice green feather in our cap.
CHADBOURNE.
And duty done, it's well to have big friends.
There's that old question of the armory;
I'm going to try to jam it through this session.
And besides that--
(_Calls toward the gate_)
What's up?
JERGENS.
(_Enters with the Chief of Police_)
How large a force
Did you send to the station?
CHADBOURNE.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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