The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-01-19
OLD JAKE'S NEW YEAR.
How It's Promised Gloom Was
Changed to Brightness.
FART I.

The busy hum and tremble of the
machinery i'm the large rolling mill OF
c. NJ. Durant & Co. had ceased. Many
of the employees were engaged in put
ting Oh their coats and hats, while
others, ready 10 depart, stood in knots
of three or four. eonversing in low
tones. waiting for the whistle to sound.
which was the signal for their dismis-
sal.
Tomorrow would be New Years
Dav, and the mill was to close an houI
earlier this afternoon on that account
The room was long, dusty one.
Huge eobwebs. hesvy with SCOT, hung
from the beams of the low ceiling. and
the few lamps that were light gave
forth a dull, smoky light. The gloomy
and unpleasant appearance of the place
extended to the men, whose faces and
hands were ~begrimed, and whose
clothes were shiny with the oil and dirt
of the machinery.
At one end o{ the room was plat
form, upon which stood desk; hang
ing on the wall above this was clock.
towards which many eyes were anx-
iOusly turned. 1t was already quar-
ter past FIVE. and still no whistle
sounded. The men became restless.
A few were pacing impstiently up and
down. stopping now and then TO glance
at the time and utter some sullen re-
mark.
The hands of the clock were pointing
to half-paet five when the door leading
to the private Offices opened and the
Superintendent entered, holding in his
hand a letter. He passed quickly
through the crowd without noticing the
scowling faces, and ascending the plat
form struck bell that stood upon the
desk. At this signal the men began re-
luctantly to gather round him. They
feared some pressing orders had been
received that would necessitste their
return to work upon the morrow. This
had happened before on holidays.
The Superintendent stood for mo-
ment reading the letter, then laying it
upon the desk at his side, he glanced
uneasily around the room, and in q
harsh, abrupt manner said:
Il have received an order from the
firm TO discontinue all further work at
Once. The hands will receive their
full weeks wages on Saturday, and, in
the meantime, are given full permits
sion to procure other employment, as
it is uncertain how long the mills may
remain closed"
The frowns of disappointment quick
ly changed TO mingled looks of anxiety
and surprise, and a low whisper went
round the room When the Superin-
tendent descended from the desk, a
number of men gathered respectfully
around him. anxious, if possible, to
learn more of the particulars. They
could gather nothing. however, from
his answers, except that the firm had
become so embarrassed that il was
obliged to suspend business.
Among the most eager of the
listeners was an old, white-haired man
who stood leaning against post, upon
which was q lamp. The light shining
down upon his upturned face showed
it to be deeply furrowed and bearing
the stamp Of many years of hard
labor. The Men passed slowly ont
into the street until he was left alone.
He did not seem TO: notice their de-
psrtue. His eyes were fixed as il
gazing upon some far-distant object,
and his face wore o tender, almost re-
fined expression, which accorded
strangely with his surroundings
he wss still standing in Ibis position