“’You are a witness to what end.  The streets were deserted.  They will remain so during your stay.’

“I was on the point of interrupting the woman, but she exclaimed, ’Don’t interrupt me.’

“’I was appointed 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 me there is one that I shall never forget.  My native State is so utterly dominated by the Trust Magnates that the free-born citizens do not dare to attend public meetings.”