The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-01-22
miscellaneous.
THE LITTLE BOSS.

up in the northern part of New York State.
The laborers in that locality were composed
of decidedly rough element and as a conse-
quence, though they were fair workers, re-
belled against the rules and regulations i'm
posed upon them. Therefore Barnes, being
an old man. and not caring to be brought In
direct contract with these turbulent spirits,
gave them in charge of foreman.
But no one could remain in authority long,
and Barnes was pretty well discouraged,
when dapper little fellow from an adjoining
State applied for the position then vacant.
The quarry owner looked at him rather con-
temptuously.
You'll never be able to manage the men,"
he said. YOU'RE no bigger than well
grown boy"
"Have no fear of that, my dear sir shall
be able to manage 'em without any difficulty.
They'll soon learn to know me-"
He was so confident that Barnes decided to
give him trial. The new foreman, John
Atwood by name, suggested that he be shown
around the quarry. His employer accom-
panied him to the works, where several of
the men were lounging around, and calling
them together introduced the little fellow as
their future foreman.
As might be expected, the quarrymen
gathered at the corner saloon that night to
discuss the situation and decide upon their
plans for the future. Next morning they
came to the quarry as usual. A few minutes
before 7 o'clock the "little boss" arrived, and
as Aaron Appleton, one Of the most danger
Gus workmen, saw him, a broad grin settled
upon his face and he glanced significantly at
his companions The men all commenced
work in due time-all save Appleton, who
stood leaning against a large rock, coolly
putting pipe.
Atwood had given few orders to num-
Der of men some distance of before discover
ing that Appleton was idle. He then saun-
tered leisurely to where the quarryman was
leaning, and pleasantly inquired:
"Well, my man, why don't you get to
work ?"
Il will when 1 get ready" said Aaron, re-
moving his pipe and expectorating copiously
at the foreman's feet.
The little bosss eyes flashed, but he coolly
replied:
81 want You to begin now or not at all"
II tell you I'll begin when get ready, and
what are you going to do about itP'
"Come, sir, l don't want any trouble with
you. simply wish you to go to work now
with the rest of the men, or else leave the
quarry"
"Take that, you little fool ~ yelled Aaron,
aiming blow at Atwood.
But the little boss was prepared for just
sue h 3 move, and quickly lodging, he allow
ed the huge fist of his opponent to pass harm
lessly over his head then, before the bully
could recover himself, he received vigorous
blow in the face which ELECTED a cry of an
guish.
Now I'll kill you, curse you p he rosred.
He rushed furiously at the foreman and de-
livered another blow which, If it had taken
effect, would certainly have proved disastrous,
h,,t; - ,olau idad ha-
fore, Appletons face suffered.
The quarryman was mad with rage. He
rushed in again and endeavored to seize his
adversary, but the little boss adroitly evaded
his grasp, and watching his opportunity sue
ceeded in delivering two more effective blows.
Aaron began to weary of this punishment.
He made one more effort, which met with the
same result, then turned toward the other
men, who had abandoned their work and
crowded near the combatauts, crying:
why don't you give me hand? Don't
you see he's killing me?"
The men were not slow to respond, though
they could hardly realize that their leader
had been so quickly conquered. With cries
Of rage they pressed forward, and it appeared
as if the foreman would be aunihilated.
But he had expected this, and, quickly spring
ing back, thrust his hands into his coat pock-
cts, and the next moment the ruff1sns found
he mselves confronted by the dark muzzles OF
pair of six-shooters.
"Back, you fools p was the cool command.
zone step nearer and I'll fire u
That the step was not taken goes without
saying. The men began to realize whom
they had to deal with and promptly fell back.
"Now," continued Atwood, remember
that / command here and return to your
work at once. AS for you, consider yourself
discharged and leave the place Immediately"
he added, turning to Appleton.
The man hesitated.
"Do as l tell you," Numbered Atwood. 81
came here prepared to use you well, and treat
you like gentlemen, but if you will force me
to use you like dogs and to rule the quarry
with an iron rod l may as well begin now.
Cop
Without a word the men obeyed. At the
same time Appleton skunk away, but he gave
the foreman malignant look as he lett.
'I'll fix you yet, curse you" he muttered.
During the day Barnes heard of what had
occurred at the quarry that morning and at
once sought an interview with Atwood,
warning him to look out for Appleton.
"Hes q dangerous man." said the quarry
owner. land would just as soon knife you as
eat. Perhaps you had better give up the
place"
"Not by any means. I can take good care
of myself and I have no fear of Appleton and
all the knives he can USE"
"Well, look out for yourself anyhow" said
Barnes as he left the quarry.
The following morning one of the men
came up to Atwood. saying roughly:
"Give me my time; Pm going to leave"
"What for ?" asked the foreman.
because want to amt that enough ?"
"Quite enough; you can go at once"
He wrote out an order for the mans pay
and handed it to him, saying:
go to the office and get it cashed. And
now let me tell you that know why you're
leaving. Appleton has persuaded you 10
join him in some plan of revenge against me,
and you're fool enough to do so. Now re-
member one thing-I warn you not to at
tempt to modest me or NEEDLE with anything
connected with the quarry, for if you do, as
sure as your name is Joe Bangs, you'll regret
it."
"We'll see" said the other, threateningy,
as he took his departure,
Several days passed. Things at the quarry
went along along satisfactorily, the men. al.
though morose and sullep, performing their
work fairly well.
Atwood boarded ut his employers house,