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Updated: May 5, 2025
For twenty-five years old Antanas Rudkus and his son had dwelt in the forest together, and it was hard to part in this way; perhaps it was just as well that Jurgis had to give all his attention to the task of having a funeral without being bankrupted, and so had no time to indulge in memories and grief. Now the dreadful winter was come upon them.
Antanas Rudkus had been into every building in Packingtown by this time, and into nearly every room; he had stood mornings among the crowd of applicants till the very policemen had come to know his face and to tell him to go home and give it up.
Now it is understood that he has composed an original speech of congratulation and benediction, and this is one of the events of the day. Even the boys, who are romping about the room, draw near and listen, and some of the women sob and wipe their aprons in their eyes. It is very solemn, for Antanas Rudkus has become possessed of the idea that he has not much longer to stay with his children.
She was as much surprised as he was. "Jurgis Rudkus!" she gasped. "And what in the world is the matter with you?" "I I've had hard luck," he stammered. "I'm out of work, and I've no home and no money. And you, Alena are you married?" "No," she answered, "I'm not married, but I've got a good place." They stood staring at each other for a few moments longer. Finally Alena spoke again.
"What's your name?" demanded the other. "Jurgis Rudkus." "Worked in the yards before?" "Yes." "Whereabouts?" "Two places Brown's killing beds and Durham's fertilizer mill." "Why did you leave there?" "The first time I had an accident, and the last time I was sent up for a month." "I see. Well, I'll give you a trial. Come early tomorrow and ask for Mr. Thomas."
Me fren', Mr. whuzya name, ole chappie? Tell us your name." "Rudkus Jurgis Rudkus." "My fren', Mr. Rednose, Hamilton shake han's." The stately butler bowed his head, but made not a sound; and suddenly Master Freddie pointed an eager finger at him. "I know whuzzamatter wiz you, Hamilton lay you a dollar I know! You think hic you think I'm drunk! Hey, now?" And the butler again bowed his head.
In that morning's papers Jurgis had read a fierce denunciation of the packers by Scully, who had declared that if they did not treat their people better the city authorities would end the matter by tearing down their plants. Now, therefore, Jurgis was not a little taken aback when the other demanded suddenly, "See here, Rudkus, why don't you stick by your job?" Jurgis started.
There are a very few peasants settled in it, holding title from ancient times; and one of these was Antanas Rudkus, who had been reared himself, and had reared his children in turn, upon half a dozen acres of cleared land in the midst of a wilderness. There had been one son besides Jurgis, and one sister.
Now Antanas Rudkus was the meekest man that God ever put on earth; and so Jurgis found it a striking confirmation of what the men all said, that his father had been at work only two days before he came home as bitter as any of them, and cursing Durham's with all the power of his soul.
Harmon, one of the head managers of Durham's "The bearer, Jurgis Rudkus, is a particular friend of mine, and I would like you to find him a good place, for important reasons. He was once indiscreet, but you will perhaps be so good as to overlook that." Mr. Harmon looked up inquiringly when he read this. "What does he mean by 'indiscreet'?" he asked. "I was blacklisted, sir," said Jurgis.
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