Connecticut western news., 1888-03-07
CANAAN. CONN. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1888.

of the business. He has charge of the converter" he added, with a tone of respect, to which Ogden, never having heard of the converter, listened with in- difference.
 The next morning Ogden, in work mans clothes, presented himself at the office, and Mir. Wagner himself took him into the mill and gave him his work, introducing him to Mir. Ferris in the tono which he would use in speaking of an equal. The familiarity was kindly meant, but injudicious.
 "Who's that young cub old Wagners making much ofa' said Jake Crawford to the man at the coal heap beside him.
 Dunno; one of his pets, I reckon" 1"
 Jake was one of the most drunken and vicious men in tho works. He scanned Ogdon's gcntlemanly bearing and white hands with scowl of con- tempt, which changed to positive glare when Mir. Wagner shook hands with him saying, "Good-by, my lad, and good luckv'
 From that time Jake set down the young fellow as his enemy, whom he was bound to overturn. Ogden pres cntly noticed that this man showed him unnecessarily when he passed him in the throng, and swore at him under his breath, but, supposing him to be a drunken fellow, thought no more about it. His indifference but enraged Craw- ford the more. Poor Richard, whom he met on Sundays dressed like gen. tleman, going with his wife to church, became in his eyes the embodiment of the "bloated aristocrats" whom he hated so heartily.
 '1'll fix his lordship for ife!" he said every day, and watched his chance to do it. Ferris, on the contrary, as MT. Wagner had foreseen, was attracted to the young man, and gave him work near to him, frequently explaining the processes to him. Ogden's previous knowledge of chemistry made him an intelligent nearer. @
 The s'converter," of which Mir. Ferris had charge, is an enormous pot in which the molten metal and carbon is subjected to the force of terrific blast by which the carbon is dissipated. At tho in- stant when the right amount is left, the huge vessel is overturned into 8 pit, where it flows into tubes prepared for 1t.
 Ferris's duty was to watch the lurid flames of the metal, and when, by the change in their tint, he saw the moment had come, to press on lever which, by hydraulic machinery, overturned the vast converter. --------ss--~-- = Every time this was done, steel to the amount of six thousand dollars was made. If he missed the time, was ( second too early or too late, the firm were loosers to that amount. The men were not allowed to speak tc him as the moment approached. Ogden always stood near, deafened by the thunderous roar of the blast but watch ing Ferris's pale, intent face. After few weeks Ogden learned to distinguish the subtle change in the flame which marked the critical mo ment.
 He told Ferris so one day, jokingly adding, ''I can take your place now, or an emergency"
 Il hope I may not have to call or you," said Ferris, laughing. Jake Crawford was behind the twt men. His cunning eyes sparkled. H, followed Ogden homo in the dark, lott ering about until he saw Richard wife run down the path to meet him.
 "How IS Ben2' said Ogden eagerly.
 Better. think it is not croup only .an ordinary cold.
 ''Ben's the baby! Ahap' muttercd Jake. 'Tve got it, I'll settle his lord ship, now," humping his fist on his leg and chuckling drunkenly. 1 Ogden's watch began at 3 o'clock th' next morning. Little Ben was cough ing and choking all nj ,ht ;his father sal beside his crib until it was time to go and then set off with heavy heart.
 "What is the matter?' said Ferris passing him.
 ''The boy is threatened with croup I think I could not live, Ferris, if should lose that child" said Ogden Crawford overheard, nodded, ant laughed.
 At nine o'clock that morning ther was blow to be made, About eigh Ferris stepped aside to eat his break fast, which was placed in tin pail o1 a barrel. He had some cold coffee which he set in tin cup to warm be side furnace.
 'Look to that, Crawford, will you2' he said, and Jake assiduously bent owe the cup. Out of his dirty pocket h took white paper containing, no poison, but a nauseating medicine, sloy and sure in acton. This he hastil, shook into the coffee.
 Ferris made wry face, but gulped i down. He was hungry and cold. little before nine MT. Berringer, tn principal owner of the works, came il and stood near Ferris. He neve wearied of listening to the roar of tn blast, or of watching the great ma chinery in motion, and the rush of whit liquid metal from the caldron.
 "Are you ill, Fcrris2" he said, com