Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-11-01
LOVE THE LEVELER.

BY w. WENDHAM.

she threaded her way daintilly
through the great shop with its be-
wildering whirr of machinery and its
roaring fires-its flying sparks and dirt
and DUST and smoke.
Now and again she stopped TO watch
some great machine perform its al
NEST human work. The men, with
their splendid muscles and perfect skill
interested her immensely. But her
companion was distinctly bored. The
CRIME and sweat and dirt offended his
aristocratic senses and the noise Jared
upon his cars.
What you can find interesting in
this pandemonium | cannot imagine"
he exposrulated. 1t is bad enough for
those who have TO he mere and do the
work." but TO deliberately seek il when
the sun is shining outside. the roads
are hard and a motor car is waiting. is
beyond me-"
''Oh. Philip, can't you feel the thrill
of seeing things dore by real people?"
she replied. Just look at that man at
the forge, See he great muscles
stand on. rs he lifts the hammer And
see how skilfully he shapes the iron.
The strength OF giant. the delicate
touch of a woman-it is grand"
We'll. I'm blessed if can see it that
way" rejcined the man. Far from
seeming romantic. Il looks to me as
though the fellow might as well be in
prison as be compelled TO spend his
time doing that kind of work. OF
course, | suppose they are used to
this sort of laucr-and somebody has
to do it-but can't say care to see
them at it-anyway. on fine day with
fresh air and lively spin awaiting
me-"
Just the shadow OF impatience
crossed the girls face at this speech.
but she laughed merrily and continued
ner way through the shop.
1t was Ida's first visit to the great
works Of which her father was the
owner. She had been reared in the
exclusive atmosphere of wealth. and
her vision lad not reached much be-
yond her fathers pa!atial mansion. the
theatres, The other palatial mansions
in our sai," and the Continental tour.
OF course. she knew about the erea:
mills, bur heretofore 20 her they had
been simply acres of gloomy, smoking
prisons. from which there was wrested
the money that bought all the good
things.
On this pleasant day in the early
autumn. wearied with the conventional
round Of pleasures and pastimes with
which she was surfe!ted. and some
what aroused by novel she had been
reading, which dealt with the world
of workers, she had determined to see
the inside of those great smoky shops
and the manner of men who lived
among them.
Her father had laughed at her
wnim, AMI as he had not time that day
to go with her. Philip Hammond act
ed as her escort. Philip was her con-
slant champion-her destined husband
the son OF Mr.. Norton's lifelong
friend, 4 successful banker.
1t was but a moment after the con-
yersation recorded between Miss Nor
ton and Mr Hammond that an acct
dent occurred.
A man directly ahead of the visit
ors carrying heavy toad on his Shout
der. made a misstep. fell against a
great leather belt, and was carried off
his feet and was carried up
ward with the belt. AS he realized
his danger he gave fearful shrek
ind his eyes met those of Miss Norton.
The mortal terror in them burnt into
her very soul and she shrieked:
Philip, Philip, save him. On, save
him"
She saw the wheel to which the belt
was dragging him and knew that he
must be crushed.
Philip saw the fearful danger, bur
stood as one paralyzed.
He could have reached the man from
where he was. but stood trembling
with white face and horror-stricken
eyes.
The attention Of the entire shop had
been attracted by the shrieks, AMI a
eeore of men were running toward the
scene.
Pull that lever, you there with the
white cap. The black one. Quick.
Throw off the belt" came in clear
commanding tones from behind But
Hammond did not stir. He threw up
one hand to shut out the sight of the
nan being crushed.
In the meantime past the two Wis
itors sprang the man who had shout
ed.
II was the blacksmith from the forge
The man on the belt was right in
the clutch of the wheel.
II seemed to Ida that she must sure
~ faint.