rs--read the Chicago papers to-day."

"But the papers are owned body and soul by the Burlington," said Cowels.

"Well, what do you fellows own? That only shows which is the winning
side. You take my advice and let go while you've got plenty."

"Plenty?" echoed Cowels. "Do you suppose I'd take a stranger into my
home--do you think for a minute that I would sit here and let you talk
to me as you have done if I could help myself? Plenty! I'm a beggar."

Hawkins knew that, but he expressed surprise. When they had smoked in
silence for a while the plumber handed an unsealed letter to his
landlord and watched his face closely as he read it.

The letter was from one of the Burlington officials and it stated
plainly that the bearer was empowered to make terms with the gentleman
addressed looking to his return to the service of the company.

Mr. Cowels was very indignant, at first, but finally consented to
discuss the matter. Mr. Hawkins was very cool, explaining that it made
no difference with him one way or the other. The official happened to be
a personal friend of his and had trusted him with this commission. "If
you ask my advice," said the plumber, "I should say take whatever they
offer and go to work. No man can hold out against such odds for any
great length of time; sooner or later you will be as hard up as the
rest, your wife will be in need of the actual necessaries of life, your
children will be crying for food, and how can you answer them if you let
this opportunity pass? To-morrow, I am told, is to be the last day of
grace, so you might better heel yourself and let the Brotherhood walk
the floor for a while. The probabilities are that the strike will simply
be declared off, the old employees to be taken back only as their
services are required, and as new men. Every day that passes adds to the
strength of the company. Labor organizations, like bands of Indians, are
ever at each other's throats. When the Knights of Labor struck on the
Reading those haughty aristocrats of the working world, the Engineers'
Brotherhood, took their places, and now the Knights of Labor engineers
are coming here in carload lots to fill the cabs of the Burlington. If
the engineers were offered their old places back to-day they would bolt
for the round-house nor cast one longing, lingering look for their old
friends. Finally, when the strike is settled it will be by the
engineers. If it is to be declared off, the unconditional surrender