Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-01-01
THE LITTLE BOSS.

fair workers, rebelled against the rules and
regulations imposed upon them. There
fore Barnes, being an old man, and not car
ing TO be brought in direct contact with
these turbulent spirits, gave them in
charge Of a foreman.
But no one could remain in authority
long, and Barnes was pretty well discour-
aged. when a dapper little fellow from an
adjoining state applied for the position
then vacant. The quarry owner looked At
him rather contemptuously
you'll never be able 10 manage the
men, lac said YOU'RE no bigger than "A
we'll 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 a trial. The new foreman,
John Atwood by name, suggested that he
/ be shown around the quarry. His en-
ployer accompanied him TO the works
where several OF the men were lounging
, around, and calling them together intro
4 duced the little fellow MS their future fore
/ man.
As might be expected the quarrymen
/ gathered NJ the corner saloon that night to
discuss the situation and decide upon their
| plans for the future. Next morning they
came to tine quarry as usual. A few min
utes before o'clock the little bossN ar
rived, and as Aaron Appleton, one Of the
| most dangerous workmen. saw him, broad
grin settled upon his faodand 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 pulling pipe
Atwood had given a few orders to a mum
Der OF men some distance off before dis.
covering that Appleton was idle. He then
sauntered leisurely to where the quarry
man was leaning and pleasantly inquired;
"Well, my man, why don't you 60 to
workgn
Twill when l get ready" said Aaron,
removing his pipe and expectoratlng copi
ously at the foreman's feet.
The little boss eyes flashed, but he coolly
replied;
II want you TO begin now or not at all. 4
81 tell you I'll begin when get ready
and what are you going TO do about it"
"Come, sir, l don't want any troubl,
with you. simply wish you TO 60 to work
now with the rest Of the men, or else leave
the quarry"
"Taketbat, you little foolr' yelled Aaron
aiming blow at Atwood.
But the little boss was prepared for just
such a move, and quickly lodging, h'
allowed the huge fist of his opponent t,
pass harmlessly over his head; then, hefor
, the bully could recover himself, he receive,
a vigorous blow in the face which elicite'
a cry of anguish.
"Now III kill you, curse your he roared
! He rushed furiously at the foreman ant
4 delivered another blow which, IL il ha
E taken effect, would certainly have prove
!. disastrous, but 10 was again eleverly avoid
q ed and, as before, Appleton's face suiieret
The quarryman was mad with rage. II
rushed in again and endeavored to seiz
his adversary, but the little boss adroitl
}. evaded his grasp, and watching his oppo
z tunity succeeded in delivering two mon
> effective blows
o Aaron began 70 weary Of this punisl
Il ment. He made one more effort, whic
met with the same result, then turned t.
ward the other men, who had abandone
their work and crowded near the comba
+ ants. crying;
a "Why don't you give me a hands Don
4 you see he's killing mefn
a The men were not slow 10 responl
N though they could hardly realize that the
leader had been SO quickly conquere
With cries Of rage they pressed forwar
and il appeared as ii the foreman woul
/. be annihilated. But he had expected thi
"a and, quickly springing back, thrust h
" hands into his cont pockets, and the nei
Il moment the ruiians found themselv
confronted by the dark muzzles Of a pa
Of six-shooters
Back, you foolsi" was the cool cor
be mand. zone step nearer and III flrcln
ie That the step was not taken goes wit
50 out saying. The men began TO reali
whom they had 70 deal with and prompt
fell back.
Now continued Atwood, "rememh
= that command here and return 10 80
~ work at once. As for you, consider YOU
"a self discharged and leave the place INN
diately," he added, turning to Appleton
The man hesitated
r. "Do as | tell you, thundered AtwoC
\ II came here prepared to use you WELL a
z. treat you like gentlemen, but il YOU "
force me TO use you like dogs and TO ri
, the quarry with an iron rod may as W
= begin now. Cor
Without a word the men obeyed At
same time Appleton skunk away, but
, gave the foreman malignant look as
left.
- "pn fix You yet. curse YOU" he m
n tered
= During the day Barnes heard Of what /
Z occurred at the quarry that morning a
at once sought an interview with Atwo
n warning him TO look out for Appleton.
" He's a dangerous man" said the qua
owner, "and would just as soon knife
as eat. Perhaps you had better give
p the place.
Not by any means. I can take q
40 care Of myself and have no fear Of APP
M ton and all the knives he can use.n
~ "Well, look out for yourself anyho'
- said Barnes as he left the quarry.
The following morning one Of the i
came up TO Atwood, saying roughly:
low "Give me my time; Pm going to leav
the "What forf" asked the foreman.
ere because / want 70; amt that enoug
IL quite enough; you can 60 at once. y
Dr. a He wrote out an order for the mans
iars and handed IL to him, saying:
low $50 to the Office and get it cashed.
} IT. now let me tell you that know why 20
per leaving Appleton has persuaded you
,oon join him. in some plan Of revenge aga
uge me, and you're fool enough TO do SO. J
hen remember one thing-I warn you not
and attempt 20 modest me or NEEDLE with
TIE thing connected with the quarry, 70