''
He took on an injured, melancholy tone. ``Those fool workingmen!
They're certain to lose. And what'll come of it all? Why,
they'll be out their wages and their jobs, and the company lose
so much money that it can't put on the new cars the public's
clamorin' for. The old cars'll have to do for another year,
anyhow--maybe two.''
Jane had heard that lugubrious tone from time to time, and she
knew what it meant--an air of sorrow concealing secret joy. So,
here was another benefit the company--she preferred to think of
it as the company rather than as her father--expected to gain
from the strike. It could put off replacing the miserable old
cars in which it was compelling people to ride. Instead of
losing money by the strike, it would make money by it. This was
Jane's first glimpse of one of the most interesting and important
truths of modern life--how it is often to the advantage of
business men to have their own business crippled, hampered,
stopped altogether.
``You needn't worry, father,'' said she cheerfully. ``The
strike's been declared off.''
``What's that?'' cried her father.
``A girl from down town just called. She says the union has
called the strike off and the men have accepted the company's
terms.''
``But them terms is withdrawn!'' cried Hastings, as if his
daughter were the union. He seized the telephone. ``I'll call
up the office and order 'em withdrawn.''
``It's too late,'' said she.
Pages:
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110