The Americans Part 6

Yes.

WILLIE MAURY.

Two X's and a spade.

CAP SAUNDERS.

That's it, that's it!

'Two X's and a spade, then dig nine feet.'

There's two bits, son. How did it happen, dad?

SILAS MAURY.

It came up into the mill with the other logs, Lookin' just like 'em, but Willie spied the sign--

WILLIE MAURY.

Just as it was goin' into the saws.

SILAS MAURY.

And shouted to Chris Knudson. Chris shut down; There was a crowd; and then Aug. Jergens come And had it hauled away.

CAP SAUNDERS.

If you and me Had been out here, son, when all these were trees And you'd a-spied that sign, I tell you what, I'd hung some nuggets round this little neck.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

You'd better wait until the moon comes out.

It's a rough road back there.

HARRY EGERTON.

There is a road?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

A logging road.

HARRY EGERTON.

(_Coming forward, notices the casts upon the ground_)

You're searching for the mine?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Cap and I here. These men are from the mill.

HARRY EGERTON.

(_With interest_)

From the mill down in Foreston, you mean?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

Leaving in search of work.

HARRY EGERTON.

Are things so bad Down at the mill, my friends, that you must leave?

Are others leaving? Have the men gone back?

(_The men glare at him_)

CAP SAUNDERS.

They'll have to soon, they say; their grub's give out.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

The Company has given them till to-morrow night To come to work or be shut out for good.

HARRY EGERTON.

Have they brought in more men?

HARVEY ANDERSON.

They're arranging to.

HARRY EGERTON.

I do not see, friends, what you hope to gain By leaving Foreston and wandering off In search of work. In the first place I know, As you perhaps do not, that Egerton Has given orders to the neighboring plants To take on no more men until this strike Is settled, till it's won. And, as you know, For forty miles around the mills are his, The camps are his. And where his power ends, Others begin that work in harmony With Egerton and Company. They are one, And have an understanding in some things Far more than you suspect.

(_Patten and Maury rise and walk aside and whisper together_)

And they all know Whatever be the outcome of this strike The effect of it will reach them all at last.

If you men win, mill-workers everywhere Will take new heart and stand for better things.

But if the Company wins, others will say-- And with no little weight--'We cannot pay The present scale of wages and compete With Egerton and Company.' So it will go Until the farthest mill in all this land Puts in its hand and takes a ten per cent Out of the wages of its workingmen.

And there's no power on earth that can prevent it.

(_Willie Maury rises and joins his father and Patten_)

But even were this not true, were places open, The same conditions would confront you there As now confront you here. At any time Those who employ you have you in their power And can reduce your wages when they choose, Lay on you what conditions they see fit, And you must either yield or be turned forth To wander on again. I do not know Whether you men have families or not, But others have, and their cause is your own.

You cannot wander on for evermore, Picking up here and there a chance day's work And hoping that to-morrow things will change, For changes do not come except through men.