The record-union., 1894-02-10
A RECITATION OF FACTS.
For the RECoRD-UNIoN by Elwyn Irving
HOffinan,1

For the REcoRD-UNIoN by Elwyn Irving
Hoffman,
Among the employees ofa certain woolen
mill there was, up to a few weeks ago,
man known as ''Old Peter" He had
worked in the mill steadily for over five
years, but to the day Of his death no one
knew who he was Or what his earlier life
had been. He was mystery, and no one
could solve him. Perhaps had someone
talked with him and shown friendly
feeling for him he would not have been
so reserved but as the days went by his
workmates had less and less to say to
him, ana finally at the end of five years
there were hardly two words addressed
to him per week. He was employed III the
"carding-room," and his work was done
mechanically. One morning, when the
last whistle blew, old Peter failed TO put
in an appearance. Davis, the "boss" OF
the carding-room was surprised, ana
thought the occurrence worthy OF Inc
following remarks to Richards, the boss
OF the WaShlng-room:
''I wonder what the DEVILS the matter
with old Peter this morning." he SAID,
as he leaned against the side OF dye-
K9LlIG, anu THRUST his UdullS tAbO hAo
poc kets. "Its the first time he has not
shown up since he came here. Guess ne
must be dead"
II don't KNOW" replied the washer
boss, mes queer old fellow, anyway.
Did you ever notice how he lives? Don't
bring anything for lunch except a couple
of crackers, and washes them down with
water. For my part, don't see how ne
can work"
''WeIl, he don't, much," said Davis.
''He's so weak he can hardly lift a sack O.
wool, and [ don't know what III 90 with
him. He's been here so long that hate
to fire him, but guess Pll have to-un-
less you can use him i'll here"
Richards looked around over his de-
partment.
"Well, can use him on the washer"
he said. "When he comes back, send
him in.''
Old Peter did not come back the next
day, nor the day after that On the thlrd
day information was received that he had
died.
"Wen," said Davis to Richards, 81
guess the poor old fellers better oil.
don't think he will have to work so hard
in the next world-at least he won't have
to handle any more wool Tor u.s."
NO. said Richards as if that was in
disputable; 'he won't slave any more IN
a wooden mill"
But they were both mistaken. Three
days later old Peter, as natural as life,
walked into the mill. He did not see
DAVIS or go near the carding-room, but
walked directly to the washer. There he
met the "boss."
"Why, hello!. Peterr' said Richards;
1--WE heard you were dead !"
Old Peter did not answer. He was
little late. The soda had been put IN the
washing tubs and the men were just TAX
ing their places. Much to Richards sur
prise, Old Peter, without waiting for or
ders, went to the middle tub.
There were three tubs, or tanks, placed
end to end. The wool, after going through
a machine which picked it into small
pieces fell into the first tub. AT the other
end of this tub were pair of rollers, and
a man with pitchfork forked the wool
into the jaws Of the rollers, from which
small reel threw it into the next tub
Here another man did the same thing
and the wool, after passing through the
rollers of the last tub, fell into an out
spread sheet. By this alternate pressure
and immersion the wool is cleaned.
Old Peter took a fork and went to work
with vigor. His worn, emaciated face
seemed even more worn, his bent figure
! even more bent, and Richards, looking at
him. was conscious OF strange pity for
| him.
Poor old chap" he said to himself,
''he'd be better oft if he was dead" He
had half notion to put another man IN
! his place and give the old fellow some
thing easier, but after watching him
awhile he turned and walked away with
out doing it. And old Peter worked al
most frantically.
Presently the man on the last tub, an
| Italian, began to show surprise. He
| dipped his fork into the water, and drew
| it back ward and forward, but not shred
| of wool came up on the tangs,
although he could see the wool in
white stream falling into his tub
from old Peters reel. He went to the
upper end of his tub and held his fork
under the reel. The stream OF wool did
not diminish in the least, yet his fork
caught-nothing He rubbed his eyes,
| gazed stupidity for moment and then,
| muttering some words i'll Italian, went to
| his wine bottle and took drink of red
| wine.
| Returning to his tub, he went to work
with renewed vigor; but the same result.
This was too much for him, and he called
the boss" and in his broken English
tried to explain the trouble.
Richards couldn't understand him; but
taking the mans fork he dipped into the
tub. There was not shred of wool there.
AS this fact was forced upon him, Rich
ards face was a study. Nv hat the
| devil ?" he muttered in all under breath.
With the fork in his hand he walked
down to the next tub; and then another
strange fact became apparent Although
| old Peter was seemingly torking out more
wool than was coming into it, his tub was
slowly filling with wool! Richards stood
and looked at the man for two minutes
steadily, and then obeying a strange pas
sion that took utter control of him tor the
| instant, he raised the fork and made
| nour6e erous stab at him.
A cry arose from the men and they
rushed forward but Richards, in a
snllen voice. ordered them back. So
savagely had his blow been delivered
that the fork had been twitched from his
| hands, and was now sticking in the side
of the tub just opposite where old Peter
had stood. But the mysterious workman
| had not been unpaled by it-he had dis
appeared, and not one of the five pair Of
ewes then watching had seen him go.
AS was afterward ascertained, old
Peter had really died six days before.
and had. at the time this happened, been
buried for almost three days. Poor old
ghost!
A Sure Cure.
The merchant was rather blue and his
wife. noticing it, asked what the matter
was.
"Matter enough" he sighed. 1--WE
been looking over my book, and I've lost
,nonav eyerV month for the last year."