If the Union
give notice again, I don't know what'll become of us. Can't we do
somethin'? Maybe Mrs. Grogan might give up the work if she knew
how it was wid us. She seems like a dacent woman; she was in to
look at me girl last week, hearin' as how we were strangers an'
she very bad."
"Oh, ye don't know her. Ye can save yer wind and shoe-leather.
She's on ter McGaw red hot; that's the worst of it. He better
look out; she'll down him yet," said Mrs. Todd.
As the two entered the stuffy, close room for further discussion,
a young girl left her seat by the window, and moved into the
adjoining apartment. She had that yellow, waxy skin, hollow,
burning eyes, and hectic flush which tell the fatal story so
clearly.
While the women of the tenements were cursing or wringing their
hands, the men were devoting themselves to more vigorous measures.
A meeting was called for nine o'clock at Lion Hall.
It was held behind closed doors. Two walking delegates from
Brooklyn were present, having been summoned by telegram the night
before, and who were expected to coax or bully the weak-kneed,
were the ultimatum sent to Schwartz refused and an order for a
sympathetic strike issued.
At the brewery all was quiet. Schwartz had read the notice left
on his desk by the committee the night before, and had already
begun his arrangements to supply the places of the men if a strike
were ordered.
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