So he began. He told how he had been robbed, and how he had sought in
vain for work, and how he had been arrested. And because he saw that
these were people who understood, he found himself a case, and
thinking no longer about himself. He talked for nearly half an hour,
and there was quite a sensation when he finished.
Then Everley rose to his feet again. "Comrades," he said, "for the
past year I have been urging that the local must make a fight for free
speech in this town. And it seems to me that the occasion has now
come. If we do not take up this fight, we might just as well give up."
"That's right," cried Beggs, the old carpenter.
"I took the liberty of ordering circulars," continued Everley. "There
was no time to be lost, and I felt sure that the comrades would back
me. I now move that the local take charge of the meeting to-morrow
evening, and that the two thousand circulars I have here be given out
secretly to-night."
"I second that motion," said Mrs. Barton.
"It must be understood," added Everley, "that we can't expect help
from the papers. And our people ought to hear this story, as well as
the members of the church."
And then he read the circulars, and the motion was put, and carried
unanimously.
"Now," said Everley, "I suggest that the local make this the occasion
of a contest for the right to hold street meetings in Lockmanville.
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