ointed a committee of one to wait upon you and extend you the
offices of the Women's League,' she continued. 'While waiting in the
depot I overheard the orders of the Captain of Police to the Sergeant.
He told his subordinate not to allow you to collect a crowd on the
street, and detailed a squad to follow you to your hotel.

"'If you have any message to deliver to the men of Milwaukee you may
depend upon the seven thousand women who are enrolled in the League to
scatter it for you. I can tell you that there is no other way open to
you.'

"I was too surprised to reply for a moment. When I finally formulated a
response, I told her that the facts she had just furnished me were of
such an extraordinary nature that I should be obliged to give them my
most careful consideration, and that if she would call again in an hour
I should be able to tell her what use I could make of her offer.

"When I was alone I hastened to rejoin the members of the Committee who
had accompanied me on my trip.

"I asked them if they were aware of the conditions that existed in the
city. They told me that the Chief of Police had just informed them that
we could not hold a meeting outside of a hall. 'Public safety' was given
as the cause of this order.

"Then I hastily recounted the incident of the visit of Mrs. Walton. Some
of the committeemen were skeptical and advised me not to have any
dealings with the woman. I, however, was favorably impressed with her.

"At the expiration of two hours she returned. I had a long talk with
her, in which I told her how her League could be of benefit to me if it
would impress upon the men the necessity of voting for their rights. She
assured me that my messages would be carried into every mill and factory
in the city.

"I held a meeting in the hall that the local Independence party had
secured. The attendance was made up exclusively of staunch party men.
Outside of the hall stood a dozen policemen and a half dozen spotters.

"None of the workmen of the city dared to attend the meeting."

"And this is Free America!" exclaims Martha, under her breath.

"Yes, this is America; but, is it free?" asks Trueman.

"From Milwaukee I went to St. Paul and Minneapolis. The same condition
existed in these places. I turned to Detroit; the result was the same.

"I resolved to advance into the one State that the Magnates believe they
control absolutely. From Detroit I went to Philadelphia. The reception
that awaited