ay get out of order. We
had to burn their breaker last year before they became reasonable. Then
the West Section Coaling Company has paid its annual contribution. We
have enough on hand to meet any obligations."

"What about Archie Swindon?" asked a brother.

"He has sold out and left the district. The old devil left a note for
us to say that he had rather be a free crossing sweeper in New York
than a large mine owner under the power of a ring of blackmailers. By
Gar! it was as well that he made a break for it before the note reached
us! I guess he won't show his face in this valley again."

An elderly, clean-shaved man with a kindly face and a good brow rose
from the end of the table which faced the chairman. "Mr. Treasurer," he
asked, "may I ask who has bought the property of this man that we have
driven out of the district?"

"Yes, Brother Morris. It has been bought by the State & Merton County
Railroad Company."

"And who bought the mines of Todman and of Lee that came into the
market in the same way last year?"

"The same company, Brother Morris."

"And who bought the ironworks of Manson and of Shuman and of Van Deher
and of Atwood, which have all been given up of late?"

"They were all bought by the West Gilmerton General Mining Company."

"I don't see, Brother Morris," said the chairman, "that it matters to
us who buys them, since they can't carry them out of the district."

"With all respect to you, Eminent Bodymaster, I think it may matter
very much to us. This process has been going on now for ten long years.
We are gradually driving all the small men out of trade. What is the
result? We find in their places great companies like the Railroad or
the General Iron, who have their directors in New York or Philadelphia,
and care nothing for our threats. We can take it out of their local
bosses, but it only means that others will be sent in their stead. And
we are making it dangerous for ourselves. The small men could not harm
us. They had not the money nor the power. So long as we did not squeeze
them too dry, they would stay on under our power. But if these big
companies find that we stand between them and their profits, they will
spare no pains and no expense to hunt us down and bring us to court."

There was a hush at these ominous words, and every face darkened as
gloomy looks were exchanged. So omnipotent and unchallenged had they
been that the very thought that there was possible retribution in th