 The strike failed and within days the protesters had all returned to work at reduced pay or left town , but the " turn @-@ out " or strike was an indication of the determination among the Lowell female textile workers to take labor action . This dismayed the agents of the factories , who portrayed the turnout as a betrayal of femininity . William Austin , agent of the Lawrence Manufacturing Company , wrote to his Board of Directors , " notwithstanding the friendly and disinterested advice which has been on all proper occassions [ sic ] communicated to the girls of the Lawrence mills a spirit of evil omen … has prevailed , and overcome the judgment and discretion of too many " . 
