The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05

ever. If his pipe should happen to fall from
his mouth he would not think of STOPPING
to replace it himself He fully appreciates
and does justice to the dignity, as well as
the responsibility Of his position. and this
is of his fine points. Throughout the
day he keeps up running fire of invective,
of expostulation and profanity. The men,
accustomed TO his ways, bear with his pro-
fame propensities In passive patience, know
ing that he is good and kind at heart He
becomes an actual tyrant only when some
idle stranger happens to be looking on.
AT such times he rules with an iron hand.
indeed, and Jimmie and Billie are dashed
by his relentless tongue into doubling their
strokes. This is why the section hand al
ways glares at the visitor with lowering
face and evil eye.
1t is during the noon hour (Which is al
ways full eighty minutes long) that the
pleasanter and more sociable side OF the
Paddy's life is evinced. A fire is started
upon which the blackened coffee pot is set
and the contents of well-filled dinner pals
are emptied into hungry stomachs with
tonishing rapidity. You could scarcely count
one-half, now, between Jimmie's lightning
strokes During the meal, as during their
less-exacting morning task, they work in
silence. Dinner finished, as If by precon-
certed signal, a half-dozen matches are
struck simultaneously, as many pipes light
ed, and, very likely, as many chews of navy
plug taken at the same time Then, as they
smoke and chew and spit and pick their
teeth, they also converse together. The top
les discussed are various. yet the burden
Of their talk is apt to relate to Irish affairs,
and the section boss supervises them in con-
versation as in work. BY him all disputes
are summarily settled and all mistakes
corrected.
.'They say the worr with England over
vinzuly has been declared off, observes
Billy Bozenus.
"An' perhaps it's nae sic bod thing for
Ameriky that it be- suggests Robby Nc
Neil.
Faith, an don't you reckon us Ameri-
can payples could larrup 'em. an thot dead
aisy, too?" demands Jimmy OConner, rising
excitedly.
Jaw, set down. will yez," says Bill, in
disgust. whats We afther gittin' so riled
fer when they won't be no worr afther
all, at alp
"B'ys," begins the section boss, taking
his pipe from his mouth and expectorating
grayely. ''B'ys. in the first place, they will
be a worr an a big one at thot"
Every paddy's mouth flies open in eager
but respectful expectancy. "They will be
WORT" he continues impressively. ''fer Oh.
mesilf, have read it in the payper. An it's
my opinion, too, that ovid Oirelond win be
set free. Yis. Sort" and he wags his head
sagaciously.
Hear that, now!' cry his compatriots in
unison; IAN it's mesilf as ID PLACED to know
it"-while the Scot and the Swede acquiesce
in silence.
No matter what the nature of the question
opened, be it finance or free trade, 1t Is
sure to close thus In an Irish demonstration
AN it's wan o'clock, b'ys," says the boss
when he has settled the discussion; hurrah
to yer work, now. viii yea? An be dommed
quick about 1t, too!'
But age overtakes our section boss at last.
His form begins to stoop, his steps to lag
and his voice to break and tremble; but
never do his eyes lose any Of their keenness.
At length one morning he Is unable to rise
from his bed. Rheumatism has set per-
marent seal upon his joints, and he win
never walk again. During the long years
his wife has managed to lay by some money.
and now she builds little addition to the
front OF their shanty and places little
stock OF groceries and tobacco in II. Here
our superannuated boss presides thereafter.
while his wife keeps borders In the rear
Of the house. His granddanshter does. most
OF the waiting upon customers. while 10
smokes end Grnn1aop and sd1inipfoo advice