"Well, I'd like to be called an Introducer. My friend, Mr. Blacksmith, let me introduce you to my friend, Mr. Plutocrat. I could almost swear that you were brothers, so near alike are you!
You'll find each other wonderfully interesting once you get over the awkwardness of the introduction. And Mr. White Man, let me present you particularly to my good friend, Mr. Negro. You will see if you sit down to it that this colour of the face is only skin deep."
"It's a good name!" said Mr. Vedder, laughing.
"It's a wonderful name," said I, "and it's about the biggest and finest work in the world--to know human beings just as they are, and to make them acquainted with one another just as they are.
Why, it's the foundation of all the democracy there is, or ever will be. Sometimes I think that friendliness is the only achievement of life worth while--and unfriendliness the only tragedy."
I have since felt ashamed of myself when I thought how I lectured my unprotected host that day at luncheon; but it seemed to boil out of me irresistibly. The experiences of the past two days had stirred me to the very depths, and it seemed to me I must explain to somebody how it all impressed me--and to whom better than to my good friend Vedder?
As we were leaving the table an idea flashed across my mind which seemed, at first, so wonderful that it quite turned me dizzy.
"See here, Mr. Vedder," I exclaimed, "let me follow my occupation practically. I know Bill Hahn and I know you. Let me introduce you. If you could only get together, if you could only understand what good fellows you both are, it might go far toward solving these difficulties."
I had some trouble persuading him, but finally he consented, said he wanted to leave no stone unturned, and that he would meet Bill Hahn and some of the other leaders, if proper arrangements could be made.
I left him, therefore, in excitement, feeling that I was at the point of playing a part in a very great event. "Once get these men together," I thought, "and they MUST come to an understanding."
So I rushed out to the mill district, saying to myself over and over (I have smiled about it since!): "We'll settle this strike: we'll settle this strike: we'll settle this strike." After some searching I found my friend Bill in the little room over a saloon that served as strike headquarters. A dozen or more of the leaders were there, faintly distinguishable through clouds of tobacco smoke. Among them sat the great R--- D---, his burly figure looming up at one end of the table, and his strong, rough, iron-jawed face turning first toward this speaker and then toward that. The discussion, which had evidently been lively, died down soon after I appeared at the door, and Bill Hahn came out to me and we sat down together in the adjoining room. Here I broke eagerly into an account of the happenings of the day, described my chance meeting with Mr. Vedder--who was well known to Bill by reputation--and finally asked him squarely whether he would meet him. I think my enthusiasm quite carried him away.
"Sure, I will," said Bill Hahn heartily.
"When and where?" I asked, "and will any of the other men join you?"
Bill was all enthusiasm at once, for that was the essence of his temperament, but he said that he must first refer it to the committee. I waited, in a tense state of impatience, for what seemed to me a very long time; but finally the door opened and Bill Hahn came out bringing R--- D-- himself with him. We all sat down together, and R--- D--- began to ask questions (he was evidently suspicious as to who and what I was); but I think, after I talked with them for some time that I made them see the possibilities and the importance of such a meeting. I was greatly impressed with R--- D---, the calmness and steadiness of the man, his evident shrewdness. "A real general," I said to myself. "I should like to know him better."
After a long talk they returned to the other room, closing the door behind them, and I waited again, still more impatiently.
It seems rather absurd now, but at that moment I felt firmly convinced that I was on the way to the permanent settlement of a struggle which had occupied the best brains of Kilburn for many weeks.
While I was waiting in that dingy ante-room, the other door slowly opened and a boy stuck his head in.
"Is David Grayson here?" he asked.
"Here he is," said I, greatly astonished that any one in Kilburn should be inquiring for me, or should know where I was.
The boy came in, looked at me with jolly round eyes for a moment, and dug a letter out of his pocket. I opened it at once, and glancing at the signature discovered that it was from Mr. Vedder.
"He said I'd probably find you at strike headquarters," remarked the boy.
This was the letter: marked "Confidential."
My Dear Grayson: I think you must be something of a hypnotist.
After you left me I began to think of the project you mentioned, and I have talked it over with one or two of my associates. I would gladly hold this conference, but it does not now seem wise for us to do so. The interests we represent are too important to be jeopardized. In theory you are undoubtedly right, but in this case I think you will agree with me (when you think it over), we must not show any weakness. Come and stop with us to-night: Mrs.
Vedder will be overjoyed to see you and we'll have another fine talk.
I confess I was a good deal cast down as I read this letter.
"What interests are so important?" I asked myself, "that they should keep friends apart?"
But I was given only a moment for reflection for the door opened and my friend Bill, together with R--- D---and several other members of the committee, came out. I put the letter in my pocket, and for a moment my brain never worked under higher pressure. What should I say to them now? How could I explain myself ?
Bill Hahn was evidently labouring under considerable excitement, but R--- D--- was as calm as a judge. He sat down in the chair opposite and said to me:
