The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-09-16

the likes before" replied the fellow
workman.
$50 have l but I'm not afraid of thi,
one. He's not going to come it over me
Not long afterward one OF tho clerk
Of the esta tablishment was observed going
round among the men with a small blank
book 10 his hand, asking questions and
writing down the answers.
Whats the meaning Of that ?" asked
Burke's companion, who first noted th,
circumstance.
Burke looked, and seeing the CLERK
engaged as we have said. left his sea
and was crossing the shop to personally
investigate the affair, when the new fore
man ,ame IN. Now, conscious that b,
was out of his place. the mans frst iln
pulse was to affect some errand and no
20 near the clork; but contempt for the
new foreman, aud determination to sci
him at defiance, pushed back his impulse
and with self possessed, familiar man
DER, be approached the young man and
asked:
"What's up now ?"
"l'm getting the names and residence,
Of the men," replied the clerk.
By this time the foreman was ono O.
the party. But he said nothing, only
stood still and listened, and this without
betraying a sign of disapprobation.
Whats tho meaning OF itf" demand
ed Burke.
IF you ask down stairs, may be they
will inform you" answered the clerk
who was annoyed by the mans imner'i
nence.
ND like to see you at my residence,
muttered Burke angrily, as ho returned
to his bench. This is new trick of 8
new man; but it isn't going to work OF
me. Where live is my own business
All they've got to do with me is to pay
me when my work is done. Outside o.
the shop I'm my own man, and shall sub
NIT to none of these importiueuoes "
"Where is your residence ?" asked the
clerk, soon afterward. He had made biz
way to that part Of the shop where Burke
stood
That is my business, was was grufiy
answered.
The clerk made no romoustranoe. but
passed to the next man. saying:
"Whero do you liver
That's my business" said the man
repeating Burke's insolent reply
As in Burke's case, SO in this the
answer was Ansl. No opportunity wa:
given to those non conformists to make
disturbance or excite feeling OF antag
onism in tho rule to be established. Both
wore annoyed at this, and at the same
time made conscious Of reserved power
in the establishment. the silent force
which might be too strong for them. The
clerk and the foreman left tho room to.
gether, getting all the residences OF the
workmen, with the two exceptions we
have mentioned. Burke fully expected
second application as sort Of threat.
ened 6uality, but tho clerk did not ask
for his residence a second time. o.
course he meant to fare mp, aud make Q
short speech to the shop on the outrage
involved in the procedure, as if they
were slaves to the proprietors, who mus
know the whereabouts OF every individ
ual in the shop or out. But the oppor.
tunity was not afforded. Still he was il
q state Of fermentation, and the frott
must come over.
Tom Willard" he called as soon Il.
the foreman had left, turning from hi!
bench and speaking to man acrosa tn,
shop--"did you tell him shere yo,
lived ?"
Yes" answered the .nau.
"Well, | declare! What have thcy tt
do with thstf"
did you?"
me? Not /. That's my business
I'm no slave in this establishment, t.
be looked after through all the twenty
four hours. | do my work and get N,
pay; beyond that give and take moth
ing. lfit pleases mo to sleep in sta
bio or roost in tree, the affair is M
own. I'm astonished at you ALL"
Tho door quietly opened and th
foremOn camo in. Burke sat iacin,
rouod, caught in tho very act Of workin
insubordnation. Ito was not q snoak
but bold out.and.out kind Of man
who enjoyed opposition. He did 40
resume his work Immediately but fxc
bis eyes dehnantly upon the foreman
With an invitation to strife. Bur b
could not draw out the new man Th
cid one would have pitched in, to US
iu expressive phrase, and givoa Butk
M opportunity for passage at arms be
fore the men. But order and suboI
eaiiiAaa.ion were to como by ditforeu
way now. Tho foreman did net appea
20 notice the game bird with bis ruftie
feathers, but moved round tho shop i
quiet, self possessed way that ha
the effect gradually to draw "a Burke
overohargc of bad temper.
TAe day closed and the men wer
home. On the next morning our ne
foreman was In the little Office throug
which every man had to pass on his wa
to the shops, at least twenty minute
before seven o'clock, the hour at whic
work began. AS tho hour was s,rikin
about dozen Of the two hundrod me
employed in the establishment passe
through the ofice, each looking surprise
at seeing the foreman SO early on th
spot. From that time up to halfpai
seven the men came dropping 10, th
same surprise at the forem au's presence
the Office being manifested by each.
was ust halfpsst seven when Burk
made his appearance. The foreman T,
marked 10 quiet way;
Let inc say word if you please
Burke stopped, frowned, and the
moved to the desk where the forema
stood. The latter opened a small blan
book, aud dipped pen 10 the inkstanC
His manner was easy and altogetht