Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-04-17


the tirO men before Burns could rise.
A dozen men started for their ma
chimes 10 go to work again. while
Burns went up and laid his hand on
the Norwegian's arm and said TO him
roughly:
"Qult of now. You've been dipping
that beard OF yours into a whisky bar
rel. Better mind your pegs or you get
your walking papers"
Mind your own, Burns" replied the
big man heavily. You be something's
OF beard drinker yourself II you had
the beard
Burns was so enraged at the drunk
en- retort that he drew back as II TO
strike the man. when the Norwegian
smote the foreman a blow that laid
him sprawling In the iron dust In
stantly Mr.. Hardy stepped up between
the two men before Burns could rise.
We have spoken OF Roberts Intense
horror OF the coarse physical vices. IL
seemed totally wrong TO him that a
workman should degrade himself with
drink. Besides, he could not tolerate
such actions in the shops. He looked
the drunken man In the face and said
sternly:
"You are discharged! cannot az
ford to employ drunken men In these
shops. You may go this instant"
The man leered at Mr.. Hardy. raised
his arm as II to strike, while the man.
ager confronted him with a stern look.
but before he could do any harm two
or three OF the men seized him and
hustled him back 10 the other end OF
the shops. while Burns rose, vowing
vengeance.
The men went back to their ma
chimes. and Mr. Hardy. with an anx-
ious feeling OF heart went back into
the office. satisfied that there would be
no trouble at the shops for the rest Of
the day at least. He felt sorry that he
had been obliged TO discharge Herman,
but he felt that he had done the right
thing. The company could not afford
In any way to employ men who were
drunkards, especially not just at this
time, when II began TO be more than
plainly hlnted that the result OF the
accident on the road was due TO the
partial IntoxIcation OF a track in
spector.
That accident was a complication In
Robert Hardy's seven days. II was de-
mandlng OF him precious time that he
longed TO spend In his family. At one
time In the afternoon rs be worked at
the office Mr. Hardy was tempted to
resign his position and go home. come
what might. But, to his credit be It
said. even In his most selfish moments
formerly he had been faithful TO his
duties at the office. At present no one
could take his place at once. He felt
that his duty to the company and to
the public demanded his services at the
time Of crisis in railroad matters.
So he staid and worked on, praying
as he worked for his dear ones and
hoping, as no bad news came from
home, that Clara was better. lie had
been to the telephone several times and
had two or three short talks with his
wife. and now, as it began to grow
dark in the office, just as the lights
were turned on, the bell rang again,
and Mrs. Hardy called him up TO tell
him that the minister, Mr.. Jones, had
called and wanted TO see him about
some Of the families that were injured
In the accident In the foundry room.
Tell Mr. Jones Will try to see him
at the meeting tonight" Qn Barton
the church meeting fell on Wednes-
day) "And tell him / will have some
thing TO give him for what he wants.
How is Clara now?
mo change yet. VIII Is suffering
some from nervousness. He says he
had a horrible dream of the accident
this afternoon. Bess Is about the same.
Her escape was miracle"
HAS George come home yet|
"No. am getting anxious about
him. l wish you would inquire about
him at the Bramleys' as you come up
to'supper."
81 will. must leave very soon. This
has been terrible day down here. God
keep US. Goodby."