The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-12

together. They had been shingling
the south gable-end of a new country
house, and the owner. a Boston man,
had just telephoned down that every
body might knock off work at three
o'clock so that those who wished could
take the four o'clock train to town.
Most of the gang did wish this before
the Fourth of July and they were near
ly all Boston men who had been sent
down by the building contractor. The
six shinglers came down their ladder
and walked away together. Jim
Fisher had his bicycle, but he trundled
1t along by hand and walked with his
mates. They could still hear hammers
knocking In the great house where
some of the boys were lingering to end
off part of the standing finish in one
of the lower rooms. Work was being
rushed and they had set themselves a
stint, and loyalty stood by to close the
thing just right.
Il never saw a house put together so
quick" said a sober-looking fellow
named Allis named Jim Fisher, who
turned to look back. "Quick's a rooms
parted off, on go the laths, and before
the lathers get out the plasterers step
in. Wonder the paperers don't chase
Takes some folks a good while to
find out that it's just as cheap to pay
twenty men one day as tits to pay one
man twenty days." said Jim Fisher.
There ain't many bosses can handle
a large crew to good advantage" said
a wise round-shouldered old man who
wore spectacles at his work and liked
a good political argument at noon over
his dinner pail. He was the only one
of the six who lived in the town, and
Charley Burrill had boarded with him
all the spring. Charley Burrill was a
brisk looking Boston fellow who did a
first-rate weeks work and dressed
himself with noticeable smartness on
Sunday.
You're right there" said this young
man; troubles apt to be with the
boss. Last job 1 was on, we We're
standin' round NEST of our time wait
in an tumblin' right over one mother.
Men come down from the city with all
their solder furnaces an riggin' to do
a piece o. the roofing before the roof
was boarded. There was one of 'em
used to practice Annie Laurie on a
cornet under the stone shed. an miss
the same note every time, till one day
a fellow went down O. the third story
to break the old toot horn over his
head"
wish I was a boss" said Jim Fish
er, cheerfully.
mo, you don't; not that kind" said
old Thorndika. Tell you I'm older'n
you boys be, and I've noticed ever
since 1 was a boy myself that folks
always done well that done their fair
days work, an all died poor that had
spell O. thinkin they were goin to
get rich out O. shirkin'. Nothin' for
nothin's T%etty safe rule"
Coin to preach this comm Sunday,
elder?" inquired Jim Fisher with po-
lite interest.
mo, 1 amt, SIR" answered Abel,
good-naturedly. my ambitions all run
toward practicin'. I'm goin' to cele-
brate the Fourth O. July, though; per-
haps you amt aware it comes tomor-
row, or do you have a special one O.
your own up to Boston?"
What are you going to do, elder?"
demanded Jim Fisher. The six men had
fallen into single file along the mar
row footpath, but Fisher stopped and
let the rest go by.
What be L goin' to do?" repeated
the old man. little confused and
glancing at Charley Burrill well,
sir, my folks can celebrate as we'll as
anybody round here. but 'twould seem
plain to Boston folks"
Don't let Charlie spoil his nice new
clothes with snapcrackers," said Jim,
and Charley Burrill blushed as was
expected. He had said early in the day
that he was not going home for the
Fourth, and they all knew the reason.
They had come to a turn in the road
and Jim Fisher sprang on his wheel
and whirled away leaving everybody to
plod behind.
BE careful, Charley" he shouted,
and young Burrill shouted gayly back
as he went down the lane with Abel
Thorndike. Thorndike's house was on
theriver bank, and there were some
apple trees by it and a little flower
garden in front. AS the two men came
to the gate pretty girl looked out of
the window and threw her sewing on
the table and came out to meet them.