The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1882-05-25

IIo" he w 40 blblN IhEhEs
"Thou'll have to do the same as t.
rest on us. What call hast thou to
set thysen up, man wi only his days
wage to look till? To look at thee
folk would think thou could pocket
out t national debt at five minutes
notice"
May, none so, mate. Times has
been pretty slack with most on us of
late"
"Then what a fool thou must be
when bit O extra work turns up not
to take it,
"Ah!' interjected another dust-be-
grimed mechanic, who, with bare and
folded arms, was leaning, half-sitting
half-standing, against his anvil; "and
there's another mouth to fill at your
place, old chap, since yesterday, | hear
tell"
"Yes-a little lass; the marrer Of
her mother!" said the man addressed,
his teeth cleaning whitley as he
smiled. He was a fne-looking fellow
tall, strong, and powerful, with
good-humored blue-grey eyes shining
under a broad forehead, and relieving
by their brightness the plainness of
the other features and the weight of
the Square-cut jaw. He was eating
his breakfast of bread and bacon in a
primitive fashion, cutting pieces off
the very thick sandwich with his
pocket-knife, and then, transfxing
them on the blade, he speared them
into his mouth, and every now and
then refreshed himself likewise with
drink from a tin bottle, which was
standing on the forge to keep the tea
it contained hot.
"Come thou in tonight, Aaron" he
continued, looking up at his mate who
had last addressed him, land thou
shalt see her | was thinking happen
thou'd stand for her when the missus
gets about"
well, lad, Use none again being
sponsor to t little lass. [ reckon |
sha'n't have so many sins to answer
for her but what they may go along
wi my own without making much
differ
"Thou knows thou's nobbut joking
Thou doesn't think that"
Il do though, old chap" answered
his friend, nodding his large head COW
cred with red hair vigorously, and
then winking aside to their compan-
ion, the first speaker
A shrill whistle rang through the
vast place, and in another moment the
men had pocketed their pipes, Aaron
and Stephen took up their hammers
Jerry turned to the forge. The thun-
der of blows, the resounding clang OF
the struck metal, and the rush and
roar of the machinery made the very
air Of the workshop pulsate and throt
with sound For hours it went on
the sweat poured from Aaron's face
and the muscles rose and fell in great
bands across Stephens shoulders
showing their quick working through
his damp shirt. There was no time
for speaking now. They worked with
will.
"Though | say it what shouldn't,
said Aaron in a short pause, as ht
Strengthened himself for rest, there's
no two chaps in Hanworth's can bea
you and me, mate, at spell of piece
work. Well, half-work is what
can't abide, nor thee neither, mate.
Right, there, Aaron; so here goes.
And again the regular rhythm o
the blows rang out. Once more tn
whistle sounded. The hum of labo
ceased, and the workmen crowde,
toward the pay-window of the office
Nov, don't be fool, lad" whis
pered Aaron as his turn and his friend
came. "Thou can't afford scruple
: just now"
Cant afford-ay, that's where tn
shoe pinches," whispered Stephel
back.
As each man had his little pile o
f money pushed towards him and passe
on, some were spoken few words t6
and answered, ''All right" or, givin
short nod of acquiescence, passed Oh
Aaron's turn had arrived, and Stephe