Less and dearer coal; lower wages and
more ignorant laborers; enormous profits absorbed without mercy into a few
pockets.
On the day the seventh chapter of this history appeared, the telegraph
companies notified me that they would transmit no more of my matter. They
feared the consequences in libel suits, explained Moseby, general manager
of one of the companies.
"But I guarantee to protect you," said I. "I will give bond in any amount
you ask."
"We can't take the risk, Mr. Blacklock," replied he. The twinkle in his eye
told me why, and also that he, like every one else in the country except
the clique, was in sympathy with me.
My lawyers found an honest judge, and I got an injunction that compelled
the companies to transmit under my contracts. I suspended the "History" for
one day, and sent out in place of it an account of this attempt to shut
me off from the public. "Hereafter," said I, in the last paragraph in my
letter, "I shall end each day's chapter with a forecast of what the next
day's chapter is to be. If for any reason it fails to appear, the public
will know that somebody has been coerced by Roebuck, Melville & Co."
XXXI
ANITA'S SECRET
That afternoon--or, was it the next?--I happened to go home early.
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