Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-03-22

''Ben's the babyH Ahan muttered Jake.
"I'ye got it; I'll settle his lordship noww
humping his fist on his leg and chuck
ling drurkenly.
Ogden's watch began at two O'Clock the
next morning. Little Ben WAS coughing
and choking Ell night, his father sat
beside the crib uutl it was time to
&c, and then started off with heavy
heart.
"What is the matter, Dickg" asked Fer
ris, passing him.
1.-THE boy is threatened with Group.
/ think l could net live, Ferris, if l
shoald lose that child" said Ogden.
Crawford overheard, nodded and
laughed.
At nine O'Clock in the morning there
was blow to be- made. About eight
O'Clock Ferris stepped aside to eat his
breakfast, which was placed in tin pail
on barrel. He had some cold coffee
which he set in tin cup to warm before
the furnace.
"Look to that, Crawford, will your he
said and Jake assidGously bent over the
cup. Out of his pocket he took white
paper containing, not poison, but nau-
nNobAA6 AhVAANt3lNf HAON anu sure III hNAlOus
This he hastily shook into the coffee.
Ferris made very wry face, but gulp-
ed it down. He was hungry and cold. A
little before nine Mr.. Berringer, the prin
cipal owner of the works, came in and
stood near Ferris. He never wearied of
listening to the roar of the blast, or of
watching the great machinery in motion,
and the rush of white liquid metal from
the caldron.
care you i'll, Ferris?1 he said coming
up to the Young man, as he sat with his
hand upon the lever and his eye upon the
fiery fluid. "Your lips are blue"
YES" said Ferris, curtly. "But I'll
see this through
Mr.. Berringer watched him closely.
''You can't do it! You are near fainting
nov. How long will it be until it is
ready"
"About ten minutes" gasped Ferris,
with q shudder of pain.
rs there nobody who can tsAe your
placer"
'I-I don't know" he SAID, daily. Then
he dropped the lever, and staggered for
ward. Gil can not see" he cried.
"Great heaven! What is to be done?"
cried Mr.. Berringer.
A quiet voice was heard from among
the startled men; 81 think | can take
Mr.. Ferris place, il you will trust me-"
"OsdenY Yes; try Ogden" said Ferris,
as he sank down. SoR,e of t5e men car
ried him out Richard ogden stepped
up to his platform and put his hand op
the lever which the halloween held.
an try you, young man. ITS all can
II Ln- s 90
slant, it is loss OF several thousand dol
lars TO u.s."
81 know, sir, III 60 my duty as well
rs can" said Ogden, calmly bat he
breathed hurried prayer to God for
help.
The frIghtfnl roar of the blast drowned
all sounds, the curious worlimen gathered
around, watching Richards eyes fixed on
the flickefing fame. 1t seemed to him
as if the beating of the blood in his veins
kept time with the fire. Suddenly, dis
tinct and sharp, he heard, outside OF the
window near which he stood, his boys
name.
Benny Ogdep, he's dying OF Group
Where's his fatherY'
Great Godt7 He stGcted wildly for
ward; then graspea the lever agein with
strained eyes and clenched teeth. "His
dsty." He had promised he would do his
duty. The next instant the flame, a. if
in pity for the man, changed its hue, and
the lever sank Out from the converter
rolled the fiery food. Richard sprang
down from the platform white and tremb-
ling.
rs it Benny you're goin' tor" said Dan
Mccarthy. "{'m just sitter seein' the bye
go past the milk wild his mother, an ite
we'll and hearty he is. &C wur Jack Oraw-
ford as played That durty thrick on yees,
eur" turning to Mr.. Berriuger. "an' it
wur bim as dosed the coffee for Misther
Ferris"
Mr.. Berringer was 3 man of few words.
"Send for policeman for Crawford.
Young man, the firm owes you something
and we will pay is as best We cam
They did pay it. This was feur years
ago. Mr.. Ferris had been promoted in
the works and Richard OgdeH holds his
place at high salary. In one of the
p rettiest cottages in the village Won may
fad Mary and Ben, who is the big broth
er of two youngsters as fat and chubby as
mself.-Youth's Companion.