English
AftertheelectionsJurgisstayedoninPackingtownandkepthisjob.
Theagitationtobreakupthepoliceprotectionofcriminalswascontinuing,anditseemedtohimbestto“laylow”forthepresent.
Hehadnearlythreehundreddollarsinthebank,andmighthaveconsideredhimselfentitledtoavacation;buthehadaneasyjob,andforceofhabitkepthimatit.
Besides,MikeScully,whomheconsulted,advisedhimthatsomethingmight“turnup”beforelong.
Jurgisgothimselfaplaceinaboardinghousewithsomecongenialfriends.
HehadalreadyinquiredofAniele,andlearnedthatElzbietaandherfamilyhadgonedowntown,andsohegavenofurtherthoughttothem.
Hewentwithanewset,now,youngunmarriedfellowswhowere“sporty.”
Jurgishadlongagocastoffhisfertilizerclothing,andsincegoingintopoliticshehaddonnedalinencollarandagreasyrednecktie.
Hehadsomereasonforthinkingofhisdress,forhewasmakingaboutelevendollarsaweek,andtwo-thirdsofithemightspenduponhispleasureswithoutevertouchinghissavings.
Sometimeshewouldridedown-townwithapartyoffriendstothecheaptheatersandthemusichallsandotherhauntswithwhichtheywerefamiliar.
ManyofthesaloonsinPackingtownhadpooltables,andsomeofthembowlingalleys,bymeansofwhichhecouldspendhiseveningsinpettygambling.Also,therewerecardsanddice.
OnetimeJurgisgotintoagameonaSaturdaynightandwonprodigiously,andbecausehewasamanofspirithestayedinwiththerestandthegamecontinueduntillateSundayafternoon,andbythattimehewas“out”overtwentydollars.
OnSaturdaynights,also,anumberofballsweregenerallygiveninPackingtown;eachmanwouldbringhis“girl”withhim,payinghalfadollarforaticket,andseveraldollarsadditionalfordrinksinthecourseofthefestivities,whichcontinueduntilthreeorfouro’clockinthemorning,unlessbrokenupbyfighting.
Duringallthistimethesamemanandwomanwoulddancetogether,half-stupefiedwithsensualityanddrink.
BeforelongJurgisdiscoveredwhatScullyhadmeantbysomething“turningup.”
InMaytheagreementbetweenthepackersandtheunionsexpired,andanewagreementhadtobesigned.
Negotiationsweregoingon,andtheyardswerefulloftalkofastrike.
Theoldscalehaddealtwiththewagesoftheskilledmenonly;andofthemembersoftheMeatWorkers’Unionabouttwo-thirdswereunskilledmen.
InChicagotheselatterwerereceiving,forthemostpart,eighteenandahalfcentsanhour,andtheunionswishedtomakethisthegeneralwageforthenextyear.
Itwasnotnearlysolargeawageasitseemed—inthecourseofthenegotiationstheunionofficersexaminedtimecheckstotheamountoftenthousanddollars,andtheyfoundthatthehighestwagespaidhadbeenfourteendollarsaweek,andthelowesttwodollarsandfivecents,andtheaverageofthewhole,sixdollarsandsixty-fivecents.
Andsixdollarsandsixty-fivecentswashardlytoomuchforamantokeepafamilyon,consideringthefactthatthepriceofdressedmeathadincreasednearlyfiftypercentinthelastfiveyears,whilethepriceof“beefonthehoof”haddecreasedasmuch,itwouldhaveseemedthatthepackersoughttobeabletopayit;butthepackerswereunwillingtopayit—theyrejectedtheuniondemand,andtoshowwhattheirpurposewas,aweekortwoaftertheagreementexpiredtheyputdownthewagesofaboutathousandmentosixteenandahalfcents,anditwassaidthatoldmanJoneshadvowedhewouldputthemtofifteenbeforehegotthrough.
Therewereamillionandahalfofmeninthecountrylookingforwork,ahundredthousandofthemrightinChicago;andwerethepackerstolettheunionstewardsmarchintotheirplacesandbindthemtoacontractthatwouldlosethemseveralthousanddollarsadayforayear?Notmuch!
AllthiswasinJune;andbeforelongthequestionwassubmittedtoareferendumintheunions,andthedecisionwasforastrike.
Itwasthesameinallthepackinghousecities;andsuddenlythenewspapersandpublicwokeuptofacethegruesomespectacleofameatfamine.
Allsortsofpleasforareconsiderationweremade,butthepackerswereobdurate;andallthewhiletheywerereducingwages,andheadingoffshipmentsofcattle,andrushinginwagonloadsofmattressesandcots.
Sothemenboiledover,andonenighttelegramswentoutfromtheunionheadquarterstoallthebigpackingcenters—toSt.Paul,SouthOmaha,SiouxCity,St.Joseph,KansasCity,EastSt.Louis,andNewYork—andthenextdayatnoonbetweenfiftyandsixtythousandmendrewofftheirworkingclothesandmarchedoutofthefactories,andthegreat“BeefStrike”wason.
Jurgiswenttohisdinner,andafterwardhewalkedovertoseeMikeScully,wholivedinafinehouse,uponastreetwhichhadbeendecentlypavedandlightedforhisespecialbenefit.
Scullyhadgoneintosemiretirement,andlookednervousandworried.“Whatdoyouwant?”hedemanded,whenhesawJurgis.
“Icametoseeifmaybeyoucouldgetmeaplaceduringthestrike,”theotherreplied.
AndScullyknithisbrowsandeyedhimnarrowly.
Inthatmorning’spapersJurgishadreadafiercedenunciationofthepackersbyScully,whohaddeclaredthatiftheydidnottreattheirpeoplebetterthecityauthoritieswouldendthematterbytearingdowntheirplants.
Now,therefore,Jurgiswasnotalittletakenabackwhentheotherdemandedsuddenly,“Seehere,Rudkus,whydon’tyoustickbyyourjob?”
Jurgisstarted.“Workasascab?”hecried.
“Whynot?”demandedScully.“What’sthattoyou?”
“But—but—”stammeredJurgis.Hehadsomehowtakenitforgrantedthatheshouldgooutwithhisunion.
“Thepackersneedgoodmen,andneedthembad,”continuedtheother,“andthey’lltreatamanrightthatstandsbythem.
Whydon’tyoutakeyourchanceandfixyourself?”
“But,”saidJurgis,“howcouldIeverbeofanyusetoyou—inpolitics?”
“Youcouldn’tbeitanyhow,”saidScully,abruptly.
“Whynot?”askedJurgis.
“Hell,man!”criedtheother.“Don’tyouknowyou’reaRepublican?
AnddoyouthinkI’malwaysgoingtoelectRepublicans?
Mybrewerhasfoundoutalreadyhowweservedhim,andthereisthedeucetopay.”
Jurgislookeddumfounded.Hehadneverthoughtofthataspectofitbefore.“IcouldbeaDemocrat,”hesaid.
“Yes,”respondedtheother,“butnotrightaway;amancan’tchangehispoliticseveryday.
Andbesides,Idon’tneedyou—there’dbenothingforyoutodo.
Andit’salongtimetoelectionday,anyhow;andwhatareyougoingtodomeantime?”
“IthoughtIcouldcountonyou,”beganJurgis.
“Yes,”respondedScully,“soyoucould—Ineveryetwentbackonafriend.
ButisitfairtoleavethejobIgotyouandcometomeforanother?
Ihavehadahundredfellowsaftermetoday,andwhatcanIdo?
I’veputseventeenmenonthecitypayrolltocleanstreetsthisoneweek,anddoyouthinkIcankeepthatupforever?
Itwouldn’tdoformetotellothermenwhatItellyou,butyou’vebeenontheinside,andyououghttohavesenseenoughtoseeforyourself.Whathaveyoutogainbyastrike?”
“Ihadn’tthought,”saidJurgis.
“Exactly,”saidScully,“butyou’dbetter.
Takemywordforit,thestrikewillbeoverinafewdays,andthemenwillbebeaten;andmeantimewhatyoucangetoutofitwillbelongtoyou.Doyousee?”
AndJurgissaw.Hewentbacktotheyards,andintotheworkroom.
Themenhadleftalonglineofhogsinvariousstagesofpreparation,andtheforemanwasdirectingthefeebleeffortsofascoreortwoofclerksandstenographersandofficeboystofinishupthejobandgetthemintothechillingrooms.
Jurgiswentstraightuptohimandannounced,“Ihavecomebacktowork,Mr.Murphy.”
Theboss’sfacelightedup.“Goodman!”hecried.“Comeahead!”
“Justamoment,”saidJurgis,checkinghisenthusiasm.“IthinkIoughttogetalittlemorewages.”
“Yes,”repliedtheother,“ofcourse.Whatdoyouwant?”
Jurgishaddebatedontheway.Hisnervealmostfailedhimnow,butheclenchedhishands.“IthinkIoughttohave’threedollarsaday,”hesaid.
“Allright,”saidtheother,promptly;andbeforethedaywasoutourfrienddiscoveredthattheclerksandstenographersandofficeboysweregettingfivedollarsaday,andthenhecouldhavekickedhimself!
SoJurgisbecameoneofthenew“Americanheroes,”amanwhosevirtuesmeritedcomparisonwiththoseofthemartyrsofLexingtonandValleyForge.
Theresemblancewasnotcomplete,ofcourse,forJurgiswasgenerouslypaidandcomfortablyclad,andwasprovidedwithaspringcotandamattressandthreesubstantialmealsaday;alsohewasperfectlyatease,andsafefromallperiloflifeandlimb,saveonlyinthecasethatadesireforbeershouldleadhimtoventureoutsideofthestockyardsgates.
Andevenintheexerciseofthisprivilegehewasnotleftunprotected;agoodpartoftheinadequatepoliceforceofChicagowassuddenlydivertedfromitsworkofhuntingcriminals,andrushedouttoservehim.
Thepolice,andthestrikersalso,weredeterminedthatthereshouldbenoviolence;buttherewasanotherpartyinterestedwhichwasmindedtothecontrary—andthatwasthepress.
OnthefirstdayofhislifeasastrikebreakerJurgisquitworkearly,andinaspiritofbravadohechallengedthreemenofhisacquaintancetogooutsideandgetadrink.
Theyaccepted,andwentthroughthebigHalstedStreetgate,whereseveralpolicemenwerewatching,andalsosomeunionpickets,scanningsharplythosewhopassedinandout.
JurgisandhiscompanionswentsouthonHalstedStreet;pastthehotel,andthensuddenlyhalfadozenmenstartedacrossthestreettowardthemandproceededtoarguewiththemconcerningtheerroroftheirways.
Astheargumentswerenottakenintheproperspirit,theywentontothreats;andsuddenlyoneofthemjerkedoffthehatofoneofthefourandflungitoverthefence.
Themanstartedafterit,andthen,asacryof“Scab!”
wasraisedandadozenpeoplecamerunningoutofsaloonsanddoorways,asecondman’sheartfailedhimandhefollowed.
Jurgisandthefourthstayedlongenoughtogivethemselvesthesatisfactionofaquickexchangeofblows,andthenthey,too,tooktotheirheelsandfledbackofthehotelandintotheyardsagain.
Meantime,ofcourse,policemenwerecomingonarun,andasacrowdgatheredotherpolicegotexcitedandsentinariotcall.
Jurgisknewnothingofthis,butwentbackto“Packers’Avenue,”andinfrontofthe“CentralTimeStation”hesawoneofhiscompanions,breathlessandwildwithexcitement,narratingtoanevergrowingthronghowthefourhadbeenattackedandsurroundedbyahowlingmob,andhadbeennearlytorntopieces.
Whilehestoodlistening,smilingcynically,severaldapperyoungmenstoodbywithnotebooksintheirhands,anditwasnotmorethantwohourslaterthatJurgissawnewsboysrunningaboutwitharmfulsofnewspapers,printedinredandblackletterssixincheshigh:
VIOLENCEINTHEYARDS!STRIKEBREAKERSSURROUNDEDBYFRENZIEDMOB!
IfhehadbeenabletobuyallofthenewspapersoftheUnitedStatesthenextmorning,hemighthavediscoveredthathisbeer-huntingexploitwasbeingperusedbysometwoscoremillionsofpeople,andhadservedasatextforeditorialsinhalfthestaidandsolemnbusinessmen’snewspapersintheland.
Jurgiswastoseemoreofthisastimepassed.
Forthepresent,hisworkbeingover,hewasfreetorideintothecity,byarailroaddirectfromtheyards,orelsetospendthenightinaroomwherecotshadbeenlaidinrows.
Hechosethelatter,buttohisregret,forallnightlonggangsofstrikebreakerskeptarriving.
Asveryfewofthebetterclassofworkingmencouldbegotforsuchwork,thesespecimensofthenewAmericanherocontainedanassortmentofthecriminalsandthugsofthecity,besidesNegroesandthelowestforeigners-Greeks,Roumanians,Sicilians,andSlovaks.
Theyhadbeenattractedmorebytheprospectofdisorderthan,bythebigwages;andtheymadethenighthideouswithsingingandcarousing,andonlywenttosleepwhenthetimecameforthemtogetuptowork.
InthemorningbeforeJurgishadfinishedhisbreakfast,“Pat”Murphyorderedhimtooneofthesuperintendents,whoquestionedhimastohisexperienceintheworkofthekillingroom.
Hisheartbegantothumpwithexcitement,forhedivinedinstantlythathishourhadcome—thathewastobeaboss!
Someoftheforemenwereunionmembers,andmanywhowerenothadgoneoutwiththemen.
Itwasinthekillingdepartmentthatthepackershadbeenleftmostinthelurch,andpreciselyherethattheycouldleastaffordit;thesmokingandcanningandsaltingofmeatmightwait,andalltheby-productsmightbewasted—butfreshmeatsmustbehad,ortherestaurantsandhotelsandbrownstonehouseswouldfeelthepinch,andthen“publicopinion”wouldtakeastartlingturn.
Anopportunitysuchasthiswouldnotcometwicetoaman;andJurgisseizedit.
Yes,heknewthework,thewholeofit,andhecouldteachittoothers.
Butifhetookthejobandgavesatisfactionhewouldexpecttokeepit—theywouldnotturnhimoffattheendofthestrike?
TowhichthesuperintendentrepliedthathemightsafelytrustDurham’sforthat—theyproposedtoteachtheseunionsalesson,andmostofallthoseforemenwhohadgonebackonthem.
Jurgiswouldreceivefivedollarsadayduringthestrike,andtwenty-fiveaweekafteritwassettled.
Soourfriendgotapairof“slaughterpen”bootsand“jeans,”andflunghimselfathistask.
Itwasaweirdsight,thereonthekillingbeds—athrongofstupidblackNegroes,andforeignerswhocouldnotunderstandawordthatwassaidtothem,mixedwithpale-faced,hollow-chestedbookkeepersandclerks,half-faintingforthetropicalheatandthesickeningstenchoffreshblood—andallstrugglingtodressadozenortwocattleinthesameplacewhere,twenty-fourhoursago,theoldkillingganghadbeenspeeding,withtheirmarvelousprecision,turningoutfourhundredcarcasseseveryhour!
TheNegroesandthe“toughs”fromtheLeveedidnotwanttowork,andeveryfewminutessomeofthemwouldfeelobligedtoretireandrecuperate.
InacoupleofdaysDurhamandCompanyhadelectricfansuptocoolofftheroomsforthem,andevencouchesforthemtoreston;andmeantimetheycouldgooutandfindashadycornerandtakea“snooze,”andastherewasnoplaceforanyoneinparticular,andnosystem,itmightbehoursbeforetheirbossdiscoveredthem.
Asforthepoorofficeemployees,theydidtheirbest,movedtoitbyterror;thirtyofthemhadbeen“fired”inabunchthatfirstmorningforrefusingtoserve,besidesanumberofwomenclerksandtypewriterswhohaddeclinedtoactaswaitresses.
ItwassuchaforceasthisthatJurgishadtoorganize.
Hedidhisbest,flyinghereandthere,placingtheminrowsandshowingthemthetricks;hehadnevergivenanorderinhislifebefore,buthehadtakenenoughofthemtoknow,andhesoonfellintothespiritofit,androaredandstormedlikeanyoldstager.
Hehadnotthemosttractablepupils,however.
“Seehyar,boss,”abigblack“buck”wouldbegin,“efyoudoan’likedewayAhdoesdisjob,youkingetsomebodyelsetodoit.”
Thenacrowdwouldgatherandlisten,mutteringthreats.
Afterthefirstmealnearlyallthesteelkniveshadbeenmissing,andnoweveryNegrohadone,groundtoafinepoint,hiddeninhisboots.
Therewasnobringingorderoutofsuchachaos,Jurgissoondiscovered;andhefellinwiththespiritofthething—therewasnoreasonwhyheshouldwearhimselfoutwithshouting.
Ifhidesandgutswereslashedandrendereduselesstherewasnowayoftracingittoanyone;andifamanlayoffandforgottocomebacktherewasnothingtobegainedbyseekinghim,foralltherestwouldquitinthemeantime.
Everythingwent,duringthestrike,andthepackerspaid.
BeforelongJurgisfoundthatthecustomofrestinghadsuggestedtosomealertmindsthepossibilityofregisteringatmorethanoneplaceandearningmorethanonefivedollarsaday.
Whenhecaughtamanatthishe“fired”him,butitchancedtobeinaquietcorner,andthemantenderedhimaten-dollarbillandawink,andhetookthem.
Ofcourse,beforelongthiscustomspread,andJurgiswassoonmakingquiteagoodincomefromit.
Inthefaceofhandicapssuchasthesethepackerscountedthemselvesluckyiftheycouldkilloffthecattlethathadbeencrippledintransitandthehogsthathaddevelopeddisease.
Frequently,inthecourseofatwoorthreedays’trip,inhotweatherandwithoutwater,somehogwoulddevelopcholera,anddie;andtherestwouldattackhimbeforehehadceasedkicking,andwhenthecarwasopenedtherewouldbenothingofhimleftbutthebones.
Ifallthehogsinthiscarloadwerenotkilledatonce,theywouldsoonbedownwiththedreaddisease,andtherewouldbenothingtodobutmakethemintolard.
Itwasthesamewithcattlethatweregoredanddying,orwerelimpingwithbrokenbonesstuckthroughtheirflesh—theymustbekilled,evenifbrokersandbuyersandsuperintendentshadtotakeofftheircoatsandhelpdriveandcutandskinthem.
Andmeantime,agentsofthepackersweregatheringgangsofNegroesinthecountrydistrictsofthefarSouth,promisingthemfivedollarsadayandboard,andbeingcarefulnottomentiontherewasastrike;alreadycarloadsofthemwereontheway,withspecialratesfromtherailroads,andalltrafficorderedoutoftheway.
Manytownsandcitiesweretakingadvantageofthechancetoclearouttheirjailsandworkhouses—inDetroitthemagistrateswouldreleaseeverymanwhoagreedtoleavetownwithintwenty-fourhours,andagentsofthepackerswereinthecourtroomstoshipthemright.
Andmeantimetrainloadsofsupplieswerecominginfortheiraccommodation,includingbeerandwhisky,sothattheymightnotbetemptedtogooutside.
TheyhiredthirtyyounggirlsinCincinnatito“packfruit,”andwhentheyarrivedputthematworkcanningcornedbeef,andputcotsforthemtosleepinapublichallway,throughwhichthemenpassed.
Asthegangscameindayandnight,undertheescortofsquadsofpolice,theystowedawayinunusedworkroomsandstorerooms,andinthecarsheds,crowdedsocloselytogetherthatthecotstouched.
Insomeplacestheywouldusethesameroomforeatingandsleeping,andatnightthemenwouldputtheircotsuponthetables,tokeepawayfromtheswarmsofrats.
Butwithalltheirbestefforts,thepackersweredemoralized.
Ninetypercentofthemenhadwalkedout;andtheyfacedthetaskofcompletelyremakingtheirlaborforce—andwiththepriceofmeatupthirtypercent,andthepublicclamoringforasettlement.
Theymadeanoffertosubmitthewholequestionatissuetoarbitration;andattheendoftendaystheunionsacceptedit,andthestrikewascalledoff.
Itwasagreedthatallthemenweretobere-employedwithinforty-fivedays,andthattherewastobe“nodiscriminationagainstunionmen.”
ThiswasananxioustimeforJurgis.Ifthemenweretakenback“withoutdiscrimination,”hewouldlosehispresentplace.
Hesoughtoutthesuperintendent,whosmiledgrimlyandbadehim“waitandsee.”
Durham’sstrikebreakerswerefewofthemleaving.
Whetherornotthe“settlement”wassimplyatrickofthepackerstogaintime,orwhethertheyreallyexpectedtobreakthestrikeandcrippletheunionsbytheplan,cannotbesaid;butthatnighttherewentoutfromtheofficeofDurhamandCompanyatelegramtoallthebigpackingcenters,“Employnounionleaders.”
Andinthemorning,whenthetwentythousandmenthrongedintotheyards,withtheirdinnerpailsandworkingclothes,Jurgisstoodnearthedoorofthehog-trimmingroom,wherehehadworkedbeforethestrike,andsawathrongofeagermen,withascoreortwoofpolicemenwatchingthem;andhesawasuperintendentcomeoutandwalkdowntheline,andpickoutmanaftermanthatpleasedhim;andoneafteranothercame,andthereweresomemenupneartheheadofthelinewhowereneverpicked—theybeingtheunionstewardsanddelegates,andthemenJurgishadheardmakingspeechesatthemeetings.
Eachtime,ofcourse,therewereloudermurmuringsandangrierlooks.
Overwherethecattlebutcherswerewaiting,Jurgisheardshoutsandsawacrowd,andhehurriedthere.
Onebigbutcher,whowaspresidentofthePackingTradesCouncil,hadbeenpassedoverfivetimes,andthemenwerewildwithrage;theyhadappointedacommitteeofthreetogoinandseethesuperintendent,andthecommitteehadmadethreeattempts,andeachtimethepolicehadclubbedthembackfromthedoor.
Thentherewereyellsandhoots,continuinguntilatlastthesuperintendentcametothedoor.“Weallgobackornoneofusdo!”criedahundredvoices.
Andtheothershookhisfistatthem,andshouted,“Youwentoutofherelikecattle,andlikecattleyou’llcomeback!”
Thensuddenlythebigbutcherpresidentleapeduponapileofstonesandyelled:“It’soff,boys.We’llallofusquitagain!”
Andsothecattlebutchersdeclaredanewstrikeonthespot;andgatheringtheirmembersfromtheotherplants,wherethesametrickhadbeenplayed,theymarcheddownPackers’Avenue,whichwasthrongedwithadensemassofworkers,cheeringwildly.
Menwhohadalreadygottoworkonthekillingbedsdroppedtheirtoolsandjoinedthem;somegallopedhereandthereonhorseback,shoutingthetidings,andwithinhalfanhourthewholeofPackingtownwasonstrikeagain,andbesideitselfwithfury.
TherewasquiteadifferenttoneinPackingtownafterthis—theplacewasaseethingcaldronofpassion,andthe“scab”whoventuredintoitfaredbadly.
Therewereoneortwooftheseincidentseachday,thenewspapersdetailingthem,andalwaysblamingthemupontheunions.
Yettenyearsbefore,whentherewerenounionsinPackingtown,therewasastrike,andnationaltroopshadtobecalled,andtherewerepitchedbattlesfoughtatnight,bythelightofblazingfreighttrains.
Packingtownwasalwaysacenterofviolence;in“WhiskyPoint,”wheretherewereahundredsaloonsandonegluefactory,therewasalwaysfighting,andalwaysmoreofitinhotweather.
Anyonewhohadtakenthetroubletoconsultthestationhouseblotterwouldhavefoundthattherewaslessviolencethatsummerthaneverbefore—andthiswhiletwentythousandmenwereoutofwork,andwithnothingtodoalldaybutbrooduponbitterwrongs.
Therewasnoonetopicturethebattletheunionleaderswerefighting—toholdthishugearmyinrank,tokeepitfromstragglingandpillaging,tocheerandencourageandguideahundredthousandpeople,ofadozendifferenttongues,throughsixlongweeksofhungeranddisappointmentanddespair.
Meantimethepackershadsetthemselvesdefinitelytothetaskofmakinganewlaborforce.
Athousandortwoofstrikebreakerswerebroughtineverynight,anddistributedamongthevariousplants.
Someofthemwereexperiencedworkers,—butchers,salesmen,andmanagersfromthepackers’branchstores,andafewunionmenwhohaddesertedfromothercities;butthevastmajoritywere“green”NegroesfromthecottondistrictsofthefarSouth,andtheywereherdedintothepackingplantslikesheep.
Therewasalawforbiddingtheuseofbuildingsaslodginghousesunlesstheywerelicensedforthepurpose,andprovidedwithproperwindows,stairways,andfireescapes;buthere,ina“paintroom,”reachedonlybyanenclosed“chute,”aroomwithoutasinglewindowandonlyonedoor,ahundredmenwerecrowdeduponmattressesonthefloor.
Uponthethirdstoryofthe“hoghouse”ofJones’swasastoreroom,withoutawindow,intowhichtheycrowdedsevenhundredmen,sleepinguponthebarespringsofcots,andwithasecondshifttousethembyday.
Andwhentheclamorofthepublicledtoaninvestigationintotheseconditions,andthemayorofthecitywasforcedtoordertheenforcementofthelaw,thepackersgotajudgetoissueaninjunctionforbiddinghimtodoit!
Justatthistimethemayorwasboastingthathehadputanendtogamblingandprizefightinginthecity;buthereaswarmofprofessionalgamblershadleaguedthemselveswiththepolicetofleecethestrikebreakers;andanynight,inthebigopenspaceinfrontofBrown’s,onemightseebrawnyNegroesstrippedtothewaistandpoundingeachotherformoney,whileahowlingthrongofthreeorfourthousandsurgedabout,menandwomen,youngwhitegirlsfromthecountryrubbingelbowswithbigbuckNegroeswithdaggersintheirboots,whilerowsofwoollyheadspeereddownfromeverywindowofthesurroundingfactories.
TheancestorsoftheseblackpeoplehadbeensavagesinAfrica;andsincethentheyhadbeenchattelslaves,orhadbeenhelddownbyacommunityruledbythetraditionsofslavery.
Nowforthefirsttimetheywerefree—freetogratifyeverypassion,freetowreckthemselves.
Theywerewantedtobreakastrike,andwhenitwasbrokentheywouldbeshippedaway,andtheirpresentmasterswouldneverseethemagain;andsowhiskyandwomenwerebroughtinbythecarloadandsoldtothem,andhellwasletlooseintheyards.
Everynighttherewerestabbingsandshootings;itwassaidthatthepackershadblankpermits,whichenabledthemtoshipdeadbodiesfromthecitywithouttroublingtheauthorities.
Theylodgedmenandwomenonthesamefloor;andwiththenighttherebeganasaturnaliaofdebauchery—scenessuchasneverbeforehadbeenwitnessedinAmerica.
AndasthewomenwerethedregsfromthebrothelsofChicago,andthemenwereforthemostpartignorantcountryNegroes,thenamelessdiseasesofviceweresoonrife;andthiswherefoodwasbeinghandledwhichwassentouttoeverycornerofthecivilizedworld.
The“UnionStockyards”wereneverapleasantplace;butnowtheywerenotonlyacollectionofslaughterhouses,butalsothecampingplaceofanarmyoffifteenortwentythousandhumanbeasts.
Alldaylongtheblazingmidsummersunbeatdownuponthatsquaremileofabominations:upontensofthousandsofcattlecrowdedintopenswhosewoodenfloorsstankandsteamedcontagion;uponbare,blistering,cinder-strewnrailroadtracks,andhugeblocksofdingymeatfactories,whoselabyrinthinepassagesdefiedabreathoffreshairtopenetratethem;andtherewerenotmerelyriversofhotblood,andcar-loadsofmoistflesh,andrenderingvatsandsoapcaldrons,gluefactoriesandfertilizertanks,thatsmeltlikethecratersofhell—therewerealsotonsofgarbagefesteringinthesun,andthegreasylaundryoftheworkershungouttodry,anddiningroomslitteredwithfoodandblackwithflies,andtoiletroomsthatwereopensewers.
Andthenatnight,whenthisthrongpouredoutintothestreetstoplay—fighting,gambling,drinkingandcarousing,cursingandscreaming,laughingandsinging,playingbanjoesanddancing!
Theywereworkedintheyardsallthesevendaysoftheweek,andtheyhadtheirprizefightsandcrapgamesonSundaynightsaswell;butthenaroundthecorneronemightseeabonfireblazing,andanold,gray-headedNegress,leanandwitchlike,herhairflyingwildandhereyesblazing,yellingandchantingofthefiresofperditionandthebloodofthe“Lamb,”whilemenandwomenlaydownuponthegroundandmoanedandscreamedinconvulsionsofterrorandremorse.
Suchwerethestockyardsduringthestrike;whiletheunionswatchedinsullendespair,andthecountryclamoredlikeagreedychildforitsfood,andthepackerswentgrimlyontheirway.
Eachdaytheyaddednewworkers,andcouldbemoresternwiththeoldones—couldputthemonpiecework,anddismissthemiftheydidnotkeepupthepace.
Jurgiswasnowoneoftheiragentsinthisprocess;andhecouldfeelthechangedaybyday,liketheslowstartingupofahugemachine.
Hehadgottenusedtobeingamasterofmen;andbecauseofthestiflingheatandthestench,andthefactthathewasa“scab”andknewitanddespisedhimself.
Hewasdrinking,anddevelopingavillainoustemper,andhestormedandcursedandragedathismen,anddrovethemuntiltheywerereadytodropwithexhaustion.
ThenonedaylateinAugust,asuperintendentranintotheplaceandshoutedtoJurgisandhisgangtodroptheirworkandcome.
Theyfollowedhimoutside,towhere,inthemidstofadensethrong,theysawseveraltwo-horsetruckswaiting,andthreepatrol-wagonloadsofpolice.
Jurgisandhismensprangupononeofthetrucks,andthedriveryelledtothecrowd,andtheywentthunderingawayatagallop.
Somesteershadjustescapedfromtheyards,andthestrikershadgotholdofthem,andtherewouldbethechanceofascrap!
TheywentoutattheAshlandAvenuegate,andoverinthedirectionofthe“dump.”
Therewasayellassoonastheyweresighted,menandwomenrushingoutofhousesandsaloonsastheygallopedby.
Therewereeightortenpolicemenonthetruck,however,andtherewasnodisturbanceuntiltheycametoaplacewherethestreetwasblockedwithadensethrong.
Thoseontheflyingtruckyelledawarningandthecrowdscatteredpell-mell,disclosingoneofthesteerslyinginitsblood.
Therewereagoodmanycattlebutchersaboutjustthen,withnothingmuchtodo,andhungrychildrenathome;andsosomeonehadknockedoutthesteer—andasafirst-classmancankillanddressoneinacoupleofminutes,therewereagoodmanysteaksandroastsalreadymissing.
Thiscalledforpunishment,ofcourse;andthepoliceproceededtoadministeritbyleapingfromthetruckandcrackingateveryheadtheysaw.
Therewereyellsofrageandpain,andtheterrifiedpeoplefledintohousesandstores,orscatteredhelter-skelterdownthestreet.
Jurgisandhisgangjoinedinthesport,everymansinglingouthisvictim,andstrivingtobringhimtobayandpunchhim.
Ifhefledintoahousehispursuerwouldsmashintheflimsydoorandfollowhimupthestairs,hittingeveryonewhocamewithinreach,andfinallydragginghissquealingquarryfromunderabedorapileofoldclothesinacloset.
Jurgisandtwopolicemenchasedsomemenintoabar-room.
Oneofthemtookshelterbehindthebar,whereapolicemancorneredhimandproceededtowhackhimoverthebackandshoulders,untilhelaydownandgaveachanceathishead.
Theothersleapedafenceintherear,balkingthesecondpoliceman,whowasfat;andashecameback,furiousandcursing,abigPolishwoman,theownerofthesaloon,rushedinscreaming,andreceivedapokeinthestomachthatdoubledheruponthefloor.
MeantimeJurgis,whowasofapracticaltemper,washelpinghimselfatthebar;andthefirstpoliceman,whohadlaidouthisman,joinedhim,handingoutseveralmorebottles,andfillinghispocketsbesides,andthen,ashestartedtoleave,cleaningoffallthebalancewithasweepofhisclub.
ThedinoftheglasscrashingtothefloorbroughtthefatPolishwomantoherfeetagain,butanotherpolicemancameupbehindherandputhiskneeintoherbackandhishandsoverhereyes—andthencalledtohiscompanion,whowentbackandbrokeopenthecashdrawerandfilledhispocketswiththecontents.
Thenthethreewentoutside,andthemanwhowasholdingthewomangaveherashoveanddashedouthimself.
Theganghavingalreadygotthecarcassontothetruck,thepartysetoutatatrot,followedbyscreamsandcurses,andashowerofbricksandstonesfromunseenenemies.
Thesebricksandstoneswouldfigureintheaccountsofthe“riot”whichwouldbesentouttoafewthousandnewspaperswithinanhourortwo;buttheepisodeofthecashdrawerwouldneverbementionedagain,saveonlyintheheartbreakinglegendsofPackingtown.
Itwaslateintheafternoonwhentheygotback,andtheydressedouttheremainderofthesteer,andacoupleofothersthathadbeenkilled,andthenknockedofffortheday.
Jurgiswentdowntowntosupper,withthreefriendswhohadbeenontheothertrucks,andtheyexchangedreminiscencesontheway.
Afterwardtheydriftedintoarouletteparlor,andJurgis,whowasneverluckyatgambling,droppedaboutfifteendollars.
Toconsolehimselfhehadtodrinkagooddeal,andhewentbacktoPackingtownabouttwoo’clockinthemorning,verymuchtheworseforhisexcursion,and,itmustbeconfessed,entirelydeservingthecalamitythatwasinstoreforhim.
Ashewasgoingtotheplacewhereheslept,hemetapainted-cheekedwomaninagreasy“kimono,”andsheputherarmabouthiswaisttosteadyhim;theyturnedintoadarkroomtheywerepassing—butscarcelyhadtheytakentwostepsbeforesuddenlyadoorswungopen,andamanentered,carryingalantern.“Who’sthere?”hecalledsharply.
AndJurgisstartedtomuttersomereply;butatthesameinstantthemanraisedhislight,whichflashedinhisface,sothatitwaspossibletorecognizehim.
Jurgisstoodstrickendumb,andhisheartgavealeaplikeamadthing.ThemanwasConnor!
Connor,thebossoftheloadinggang!Themanwhohadseducedhiswife—whohadsenthimtoprison,andwreckedhishome,ruinedhislife!Hestoodthere,staring,withthelightshiningfulluponhim.
JurgishadoftenthoughtofConnorsincecomingbacktoPackingtown,butithadbeenasofsomethingfaroff,thatnolongerconcernedhim.
Now,however,whenhesawhim,aliveandintheflesh,thesamethinghappenedtohimthathadhappenedbefore—afloodofrageboiledupinhim,ablindfrenzyseizedhim.
Andheflunghimselfattheman,andsmotehimbetweentheeyes—andthen,ashefell,seizedhimbythethroatandbegantopoundhisheaduponthestones.
Thewomanbeganscreaming,andpeoplecamerushingin.
Thelanternhadbeenupsetandextinguished,anditwassodarktheycouldnotseeathing;buttheycouldhearJurgispanting,andhearthethumpingofhisvictim’sskull,andtheyrushedthereandtriedtopullhimoff.
Preciselyasbefore,Jurgiscameawaywithapieceofhisenemy’sfleshbetweenhisteeth;and,asbefore,hewentonfightingwiththosewhohadinterferedwithhim,untilapolicemanhadcomeandbeatenhimintoinsensibility.
AndsoJurgisspentthebalanceofthenightinthestockyardsstationhouse.
Thistime,however,hehadmoneyinhispocket,andwhenhecametohissenseshecouldgetsomethingtodrink,andalsoamessengertotakewordofhisplightto“Bush”Harper.
Harperdidnotappear,however,untilaftertheprisoner,feelingveryweakandill,hadbeenhailedintocourtandremandedatfivehundreddollars’bailtoawaittheresultofhisvictim’sinjuries.
Jurgiswaswildaboutthis,becauseadifferentmagistratehadchancedtobeonthebench,andhehadstatedthathehadneverbeenarrestedbefore,andalsothathehadbeenattackedfirst—andifonlysomeonehadbeentheretospeakagoodwordforhim,hecouldhavebeenletoffatonce.
ButHarperexplainedthathehadbeendowntown,andhadnotgotthemessage.“What’shappenedtoyou?”heasked.
“I’vebeendoingafellowup,”saidJurgis,“andI’vegottogetfivehundreddollars’bail.”
“Icanarrangethatallright,”saidtheother—”thoughitmaycostyouafewdollars,ofcourse.Butwhatwasthetrouble?”
“Itwasamanthatdidmeameantrickonce,”answeredJurgis.
“Whoishe?”
“He’saforemaninBrown’sorusedtobe.Hisname’sConnor.”
Andtheothergaveastart.“Connor!”hecried.“NotPhilConnor!”
“Yes,”saidJurgis,“that’sthefellow.Why?”
“GoodGod!”exclaimedtheother,’’thenyou’reinforit,oldman!Ican’thelpyou!”
“Nothelpme!Whynot?”
“Why,he’soneofScully’sbiggestmen—he’samemberoftheWar-WhoopLeague,andtheytalkedofsendinghimtothelegislature!PhilConnor!Greatheavens!”
Jurgissatdumbwithdismay.
“Why,hecansendyoutoJoliet,ifhewantsto!”declaredtheother.
“Can’tIhaveScullygetmeoffbeforehefindsoutaboutit?”askedJurgis,atlength.
“ButScully’soutoftown,”theotheranswered.“Idon’tevenknowwhereheis—he’srunawaytododgethestrike.”
Thatwasaprettymess,indeed.PoorJurgissathalf-dazed.Hispullhadrunupagainstabiggerpull,andhewasdownandout!“ButwhatamIgoingtodo?’’heasked,weakly.
“HowshouldIknow?”saidtheother.“Ishouldn’tevendaretogetbailforyou—why,Imightruinmyselfforlife!”
Againtherewassilence.“Can’tyoudoitforme,”Jurgisasked,“andpretendthatyoudidn’tknowwhoI’dhit?”
“Butwhatgoodwouldthatdoyouwhenyoucametostandtrial?”askedHarper.
Thenhesatburiedinthoughtforaminuteortwo.
“There’snothing—unlessit’sthis,”hesaid.
“Icouldhaveyourbailreduced;andthenifyouhadthemoneyyoucouldpayitandskip.”
“Howmuchwillitbe?”Jurgisasked,afterhehadhadthisexplainedmoreindetail.
“Idon’tknow,”saidtheother.“Howmuchdoyouown?”
“I’vegotaboutthreehundreddollars,”wastheanswer.
“Well,”wasHarper’sreply,“I’mnotsure,butI’lltryandgetyouoffforthat.I’lltaketheriskforfriendship’ssake—forI’dhatetoseeyousenttostate’sprisonforayearortwo.”
AndsofinallyJurgisrippedouthisbankbook—whichwassewedupinhistrousers—andsignedanorder,which“Bush”Harperwrote,forallthemoneytobepaidout.
Thenthelatterwentandgotit,andhurriedtothecourt,andexplainedtothemagistratethatJurgiswasadecentfellowandafriendofScully’s,whohadbeenattackedbyastrike-breaker.
Sothebailwasreducedtothreehundreddollars,andHarperwentonithimself;hedidnottellthistoJurgis,however—nordidhetellhimthatwhenthetimefortrialcameitwouldbeaneasymatterforhimtoavoidtheforfeitingofthebail,andpocketthethreehundreddollarsashisrewardfortheriskofoffendingMikeScully!
AllthathetoldJurgiswasthathewasnowfree,andthatthebestthinghecoulddowastoclearoutasquicklyaspossible;andsoJurgisoverwhelmedwithgratitudeandrelief,tookthedollarandfourteencentsthatwaslefthimoutofallhisbankaccount,andputitwiththetwodollarsandquarterthatwasleftfromhislastnight’scelebration,andboardedastreetcarandgotoffattheotherendofChicago.
Share this article to
FINISH