Mr. Barlow monologue (Act 2) — Touch and Go: A Play in Three Acts

And then, when Gerald was a lad of thirteen, came the great lock-out. We belonged to the Masters' Federation--I was but one man on the Board. We had to abide by the decision. The mines were closed till the men would accept the reduction.--Well, that cut my life across. We were shutting the men out from work, starving their families, in order to force them to accept a reduction. It may be the condition of trade made it imperative. But, for myself, I would rather have lost everything.--Of course, we did what we could. Food was very cheap--practically given away. We had open kitchen here. And it was mercifully warm summer-time. Nevertheless, there was privation and suffering, and trouble and bitterness. We had the redcoats down--even to guard this house. And from this window I saw Whatmore head-stocks ablaze, and before I could get to the spot the soldiers had shot two poor fellows. They were not killed, thank God---