The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-05-02
A CHAINMAKER'S DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER /.


its manual labor. The chain-shop was a
long. low, narrow, irregular building;
down each side were ten rows of glow
ing FORCES; here and there on flashed
forth meteoric sparks, as clinking ham,
mers welded link to link. Dense clouds
of smoke fioated up and about the black
dust-laden rafters, and out through the
imperfect1y tiled roof. into the cool Sep
TENDER air. Standing at one end of the
shop. one man could scarcely see an
other, so foul was it with gaseous
vapOrs.
Dan Helm. the helper" was a tall.
muscular young fellow of twenty-four,
with deep blue eyes and regular features
framed in well-proportioned dark
brown beard. As he Strengthened him
self. one naturally specialized on how
well he would look in the habiliments of
a guardsman. AS the brawny smiths
paused to rest, they deftly scraped the
tricky perspiration from their brows
and ashed it TO the floor.
This is the tenth link, bain't it, DAM"
asked Hidden.
Eight, nine. ten. eleven, twelve This
is the twelfth link. Mr.. Hidden" replied
the helper" counting up the nights
3 work
Then, by my empty feeling an the
number o heats. it mum be near supper
time. lad"
Yes; it's getting on for it," Dan as
scented.
IT'S a middling nights work. twelve
links observed Hidden refiectively.
looking at the glowing coil at his feet.
Yes, it is. Mr.. Hidden" replied his
helper.
Mister Hidden" repeated the older
man. That be two or three time tonight
you'n called me mister Come now.
what bin yo wanting? There's some
think, can see. Is il more wage?''
"Oh, nO-nothing of the kind" replied
the young fellow. smiling. but not with
out an evasive downward glance as he
picked out the ciinkers from the forge
There's somethink wanted. 1 know"
continued Hidden. THE parson doesna
come wi his sleek perlitenes o. calling
me mister ever other word. except when
he wants some O. my hard-earned brass
for new organ. or somethink o t kind.
Them as DON'T want anythink o. me calls
me Hibden-Bob Hidden, or CATER, as
you'n bin calling me afore tonight
replenishing the fire. He knew he was
guilty of unconsciously using the objec-
tiOnahle prefix in a conciliatory sense
lie did want something; but he felt It
were better asked for later. when. after
a large nights work, Hidden would be
IN more pleasing frame Of mind.
A thick-set, understood man was Hin
den with brick-red hair and beard big
hairy hands. and long sinewy arms. a
short muscular neck, surmOunted by a
square, clOSe-cr0pped head, and gro
tesque little turn-up nose. He wore a
gray flannel sleeveless shirt, open at the
breast, revealing well-develOped chest
1t was said Bob Hidden in his
younger days came from Lancashire
where he had a local reputation as a
sagacious dOg-fancier and a pugilist of
no mean ability. For years his habituaI
Sunday recreation was a dog or a cock
fight. or attending a secret fistic en-
counter among his chain-making pals.
The gentle, patient woman he had
espoused in Warwick strove TO reform
him, with disco1raging results He was
skillful at his trade, and earned a large
wage; but until his child Janet was born
nothing was put by. though he gener-
ally had twenty or thirty pounds ready
10 wager on some local sporting event
1t was after the birth of her child. and
during what seemed a fatal illness that
his wife, by fearful pleading. induced
him to buy-for the child's sake-what
was now the .irst cottage in "Hibden's
Row For fifteen years the devoted
woman struggled on until NO. g. was
built; then, as Hidden had begun to take
a pride in considering himself a man
of property, the good wife passed away
worn out in the battle with such a bar
barOus nature.
After resting a few minutes. Hibben
said:
"Janet's late wi my supper tonight,
bain't HERO
Perhaps a little" replied the helper.
low! here her comes cried Hidden,
as the figure Of a pale young woman
about twenty approached. and became
more distinct through the murky air
When the blazing FORCES lit up her feat
ures, she was seen 10 be a cOmely girl
with large brown eyes, and darker hair
brushed smoothly over her temples
which gave her mature look. as if she
had felt many of the cares of life. but
few Of its joys She wore a quilted print
bonnet and a plaid shawl. and carried
IN her hand a bowl tied up in a red hand
kerchief, which contained her fathers
supper.
you're a bit late. Janet. lass" said
Hidden as she drew near
Eyes. daddie" she REPLIED "the fire
was a bit contrary tonight"
She drew from her pocket a spoon
knife and fork; and her father eagerly
began to dispose of the savory contents
Of the bowl.
Dan had seated himself a little aside.
on a pile Of chain, and was eating his
supper. The girl east an inquiring glance
at him, and as she passed on her way
out he said in a low voice: Il haven't
asked him yet, Janet, but 1 will before
morning"
They were lovers. and Dan had prom
ised to tell Hidden of his attachment
for his daughter.
One Sunday in August. few weeks
after Dan Helm had come to work for
Hidden, he was sitting on the stile in
his workaday clothes, when Janet passed
through the fields on her way to the
parish church.
Good morning." she had said cheer
Good morning" returned Dan. hasti-
" removing his black clay pipe. as unfit
for the presence of such lovely COM
pany Going TO church, Miss Hibden?"
Yes. Mr.. Helm. Aren't you going?"
4 amt been since my mother died. -
replied DaS, with a lump in his throat
at the recollection.
But wouldn't you feel better for it2'
asked the girl sympatheticaIly
II might" he replied But look at
tered, and as cracked as the back of a
pany"
'Oh, that would make no difference: 1T
comes from honest work. I really think
you would Ike IL. after a bit"
Little more was said then: but Dams
eyes followed the comedy girl with a
look of admiration. The next Sunday
he was at the stile dressed in his hest