that I should go up and attend to the matter. He seemed
to murmur assent, not being more than half awake. So
I went to the office and in his name argued the question
with the men and promised them a hearing next day at
Altoona. I succeeded in getting them to resume their
duties and to start the traffic.

Not only were the trainmen in a rebellious mood, but
the men in the shops were rapidly organizing to join
with the disaffected. This I learned in a curious manner.
One night, as I was walking home in the dark, I became
aware that a man was following me. By and by he came
up to me and said:

"I must not be seen with you, but you did me a favor
once and I then resolved if ever I could serve you I
would do it. I called at the office in Pittsburgh and asked
for work as a blacksmith. You said there was no work
then at Pittsburgh, but perhaps employment could be
had at Altoona, and if I would wait a few minutes you
would ask by telegraph. You took the trouble to do so,
examined my recommendations, and gave me a pass and
sent me here. I have a splendid job. My wife and family
are here and I was never so well situated in my life.
And now I want to tell you something for your good."

I listened and he went on to say that a paper was
being rapidly signed by the shopmen, pledging them-
selves to strike on Monday next. There was no time to
be lost. I told Mr. Scott in the morning and he at once
had printed notices posted in the shops that all men
who had signed the paper, pledging themselves to strike,
were dismissed and they should call at the office to be
paid. A list of the names of the signers had come into
our possession in the meantime, and this fact was an-
nounced. Consternation followed and the threatened
strike was broken.

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