Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-10-21
THE TROUBLE MAN.

been SO many complaints OF late that we
have decided it best to make change. OF
course you will stay in the employ of the
company if you care to-"
1t was the superintendent Of the great
electrical works who was speaking-a man
who showed in speech and manner that he
was born to rule, whose dignity was so
manly that one instinctively respected him
even though he did not know him.
He was speaking to one of his foremen-
Henry Wilson-a man brought up in the
works almost-a man who knew all the
workings Of the place from the way a
joint was soldered to the most difficult test
ing, and yet he was now to lose his place
lie had held it for five years. He had mar.
rled Hattie Lane on the surety of good
| salary. He had bought his little home on
Best street, knowing he could save enough
in few years to pay for it,
| But ever since he married Hattie Lane
there had been trouble between himself
and his nearest associate in the works,
James Conley 1t had been question in
the minds of many which of the two men
Hattie would marry. Womanlike, she chose
the one her friends least expected her to
choose, the poorer, the homelier of the two.
The trouble he and James Conley had was
not of Henry Wilson's making. Conley
was always quietly doing something to
prejudice others against Wilson. Little
tales were exaggerated and carried to the su-
| perintendent, little underhand things done
| to injure him. And now the end had come,
and he was to be ousted from his place
Some local work had been done under Will.
sons direction. Conley had inspected 1t
| and found that there had been serious over
sights, so be reported to the superintendent,
and the superintendent had sent Wilson to
do the work over again, and when Wilson
said the work had been tempered with the
superintendent simply looked grave and
said nothing.
Zone of the trouble men was killed last
week." the superintendent said, land here
after you will do his work. The wages, Of
course, will be smaller than you have been
receiving"
So when Henry Wilson walked up Best
street to his little home that afternoon he
carried heavy heart and face that told
of deep humiliation and bitter disappoint-
ment.
1--WE were getting along SO WE'LL" he
said to Hattie, land I thought l could
make the last payment ON the place this
year, and now'- He did not say any
more, but his teeth shut together like the
jaws of wise, and the set look on his face
grew harder.
Is there one woman in ten thousand who
would not have done just as Hattie dids
She saw and appreciated his feelings, and
with smile such as only loving woman
can wear she took his face in her hands, and
looking into his eyes said:
"Never mind, pet; we will get along all
right and it will be better for you to have
It takes much to make some men forgive,
and some of them never forget.
Morose and melancholy by turns, silent
and unnatural at all times, Henry Wilson
went about his work. Wherever there was
report of trouble he was to be found. Hat
tie would look after him mornings as he
went out, and the tears would come to her
eyes.
Then one day something happened in the
great electrical works. Many things hap
pen there. but this was something concern
ing only the two we know best there. The
switches had been turned off In the lamp
testing department, Of which Mr.. Conley
was now foreman, and he and his assist
ants were at lunch. Henry Wilson. coming
in from outside work, went into the room
for something he wanted. There was no
then went out, meeting the occupants Of
the room coming back to work. Conley
had been testing an unsatisfactory lamp
and had left it on the floor until his return.
Now he attempted to hang it on the rack.
The lamp caught only one hook He
reached for the other with his left hand,
still holding the other with his right and
forming circuit through his body. Some
one had turned on the switch, and the rack
was "alive."
What seemed to him an age went by as
the alternating current ran through his
body; his head felt as if it was bursting; his
neck was swelling and choking him. He
tried to cry out, but could not. Then he
lost consciousness and fell backward. Some
one saw him sway, realized the situation
and turned the switch. Then he fell to the
floor like a log.
There was great commotion on that floor,
the ambulance was called, the usual things
in such cases done, and most men who
work about the fatal "juice" understand
what to do in cases of emergency.
Henry Wilson saw the men carrying q
man out to the ambulance and pressed for
ward with the others to see what was the
matter. His face did not change or soften
when h. saw Coney lying apparently life;
went about his work.
That afternoon as he was working in the
lower part of the city mending wires after
fire messenger came for him from the
works, and he went up to the superintend-
ent's Office, where he was confronted with
the accusation that he bad gone into the
resting room while the men were absent
and had turned on the switch, knowing
that Mr.. Conley would probably be the
first one to suffer from touching the lamps
II was in the room while the men were
at lunch. went there for some fixtures
I wanted, and passed them on the stairs
when came out l did not touch anything
In the ROOM"
1t was simple statement, boldly made,
fearlessly.
time as we know the result Of the injury he
has received we deem it best to place you
under arrest. OF course we know that you
two have had much trouble in the past.'
1t was three days before Conley was able
to speak, and then he only confirmed what
was already known-that the current was
OH when it should have been off.
1T will 60 hard ID with Wilson" was the
word all around the shop, but on the third
day a. boy with white face and trembling
voice came into the superintendent Office
and asked for word with the chief.
He leaned his elbow on the corner of the
desk and began in voice hat wavered at
first and then grew stronger as he went on:
"Mr. Smith, / am one of the students. lam
in the winding gang now. l wanted to
speak to you about Mr.. Conley's accident"
-"Well, what is it,"
II did it,"
what did you dor"
II turned the switch while the men were
at lunch. went up to see the photogra-
pher whose office is adjoining. He wasn't
In, SO went into the testing room. The
lamps were all off the rack. put one on to
see what sort Of light it gave, and before
came away must have turned on the
switch again. didn't mean any HARM"
''And why didn't you tell of this the 9th
resteds"
u was afraid" The boy hung. his head.
Every we'll, we will see about It,"
When Wilson, free man, came into the
snnerintaDdant,s Office In resnonse To a ,nns.