The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1888-03-01

converter" ho 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 tho
office, and Mr.. Wagner himself took him
into the mill and gave him his work,
introducing him to Mr.. 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 Wagner's
making much Off said Jake Crawford
to the man at the coal heap beside him.
Dunno; one Of his pets, reckon"
Jake was ono of the most drunken
and vicious men in the works. He
scanned Ogdon's gcntlemanly bearing
and white hands with scowl of con-
tempt, which changed to positive
glare when Mr. Wagner shook hands
with him saying, "Good-by my lad,
and good luck"
From that. time Jake set down the
young fellow as his enemy whom he
was bound to overturn. Ogden pres
emily noticed that this man showed him
unnecessarily when he passed him in
the throng, and sworo at him under hi,
breath, but, supposing him to be
drunken fellow, thought no more about
it. His indifference but cnraged 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.
'Tll fix his lordship for lifem he said
every day, and watched his chance to
do it. Ferris, on the contrary, as Mr..
Wagner had foreseen, was attracted to
the young man, and gave him work
near to him, frequently explaining tho
processes to him. Ogden's previous
knowledge of chemistry mado him an
intelligent hearer.
The converter" of (which Mr.. Ferris
had charge, is an enormous pot in which
the molten metal and carbon is subjected
to the force OF a terrific blast by which
the carbon is dissipated. At tho in
slant when the right amount is left, the
huge vessel is overturned into pit,
where it flows into tubes prepared for
it.
Fcrris'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.
Every time this was done, steel to the
amount of six thousand dollars was
made. If he missed the time, was a
second too early or too late. the firm
were loosers to that amount.
The men were not allowed to speak to
him as the moment approached. Ogden
always stood near, deafcned 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
ment.
Hc told Ferris so one day, jokingly
adding, ~ can take your place now, On
an emergency"
Il hope may not have to call on
you," said Ferris, laughing.
Jake Crawford was behind the two
men. His cunning eyes sparkled. He
followed Ogden home in the dark, lott
ering about until ho saw Richard
wife run down the path to meet him.
'How Is Benz" said Ogden eagerly.
Better. think it is not Group.
only an ordinary cold.
''Ben's the babyl Ahar' muttered
Jake. '1've got it, Tll settle his lord
ship, now" humping his fist on his leg
and chuckling drunkenly.
Ogden's watch began at'2 o'clock the
next morning. Little Ben was cough
ing and choking all night ;his father sat
beside his crib until it was time to 20,
and then set off with heavy heart.
"What is the matter9" said Ferris,
passing him.
"The boy is threatened with Group.
1 think l could not live, Ferris, if I
should lose that child" said Ogden.
Crawford overheard, nodded, and
laughed.
At nine o'clock that morning there
was n blow to be made, About eight
Ferris stepped aside to eat his break
fast, which was placed in tin pail on
barrel. He had some cold coffee,
which he set in tin cup to warm be-
side furnace.
'Iook to that, Crawford, will you7"
he said, and Jake assiduously bent ovcr
the cup. Out of his dirty pocket he
took white paper containing, not
poison, but nauscating medicine, slow
and sure in action. This he hastily
shook into the coffee.
Ferris made a wry face, but gulped it
down. He was hungry and cold. A
little before nine Mr.. Berringer, the
principal 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 ma
chinery in motion, and the rush of white
liquid metal from the caldron.
care you ill, Ferris7' he said, COM
ing up to the young man, as he sat with
his hand upon the lever and his eye
upon the fiery fluid. "Your lips arc
blue"
eyes" said Ferris curtly. But I'll
Il