The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-12-19
LOVE THE LEVELER.
The Romance of a Machine Room.

BY W. WENDHAM.

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
man being crushed.
In the meantime past the two Wis
itors sprang the man who had shout
ed.
It was the blacksmith from the forge.
The man on the belt was right in
the clutch of the wheel.
1t seemed to Ida that she must sure
ly faint
At that instant the blacksmith made
a lunge at a revolving wheel, caught
two of the iron spokes and braced his
stElwart legs.
1t seemed as though he would be
thrown against the machine beyond
hut no, the wheel stopped with jerk.
The muscles Of the blacksmith's
arms and chest stood out like whip
cords.
Quick, boys, quick!" he cried; 81
can't stand this long"
He had no need to urge. Already
two workmen had hoisted a third to
their shoulders, and he pulled the vic
tim from the wheel, with one arm bad
ly crushed, but alive.
Then the blacksmith let go the wheel
and the machinery started to whirr
and buzz. The men crowded about
him, uttering congratulations.
well, I'm blest, Joe. You saved
Mike from bein' made into mincemeat
that time. I didn't think it could be
done. By Jove, Joe, I'd like to have
your muscle"
These and similar compliments were
fired at him as he turned with a broad
grin to the forge.
Directly in his way stood beautiful
girl with blanched face, her great
brown eyes swimming with tears.
ooh, sir, want to say that you are
the bravest and strongest and quickest
man l ever saw. l cannot thank you
too much. I was afraid he would be
crushed to DEATH"
He flushed to the roots of his hair.
''It was nothing, MISS" he said.
"Any Of the men would have done it."
That evening Ida went over the
scene with her father. He knew all
about and told her that the rescuer
was Joseph Madern.
Zone of the best men we have" he
said warmly. "a thorough mechanic
and an inventor. We keep him at the
forge because there is a particular
part Of the machine that has to be
done by hand, and Madern does it bet
/ ter than anybody else. Few men have
the strength and skill combined to dc
, it. We pay him as we'll as though he
were foreman, but have to keep hin
, at the forge. / have ordered that ht
be handsomely rewarded for his hero
ism today"
Papa, I want you to invite him tx
7 dinner" suddenly said Ida, after somc
: minutes spent in thought.
= "Who?" asked Mr.. Norton, looking
! up from lis paper.
3 Mr.. Madern. / think it would b.
much nicer way to show apprecia
= ton of his heroism than merely t.
= give him money"
= Mr.. Norton smiled. He was no
wholly undemocratic in his instincts
: "But your mother" he said.
: She had an answer, and the resul
a was that Joe Madern found himsel
# with palpitating heart going up tn
= steps Of the Norton mansion one even
d ing.
k He was neatly dressed and bore him
/. self with a demeanor that charmed tn
o girl as much as his exhibition c
strength.
g Mrs. Norton absented herself fro1
dinner with cold disapproval.
IL After dinner Miss Norton took he
le strange guest to the library, and Wa
astonished at the wide knowledge
II displayed of books and the strong opi1
lens he held on economic topics.
M He told her of their workingmen
g club and the discussions they ha
N you should attend one Of our ope
meetings; it would interest you" /
ID said.
Il will" she replied, and she di
ne and was still more astounded to hei
him in debate where he stood like
~ lion tn Rpbf for his oninfOns usf7