The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-11-22
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THE ROMANCE OF A MACHINE ROOM.
W. Wenham. inn. Y. News.

She threaded her way dalntlly through
the great shop with its bewildering whirr
of machinery and its roaring fires-its fly
ing sparks and dirt and dust and smoke.
Now and again she stopped to watch
some great machine perform its almost hu-
man work. The men, with their splendid
muscles and perfect skill interested her
immensely. But her companion was dis.
tinctly bored. The CRIME and sweat and
dirt offended his aristocratic senses and the
noise Jared upon his ears.
"What you can find interesting in this
pandemonium | cannot imagine" he ex-
postulated. cit is bad enough for those
who have to be here and do the work,
but to deliberately seek it when the sun is
shining outside, the roads are hard and a
motor car is waiting, is beyond me. /"
"Oh, Philip, cant you feel the thrill
of seeing things done by real people ?" she
| replied ''Just look at that man at the
forge See the great muscles stand out
as 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 r
'Well, I'm blessed if l can see it that
way" rejoined the man. "Far from
seeming romantic, it 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 labor-and some
body 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 her way
through the shop.
1t was Ida first visit to the great works
of which her father was the owner. She
had been reared in the exclusive atmos-
phere of wealth, and her vision had not
reached much beyond her father s palatial
mansion, the theatres, the other palatial
mansions in ''our set, and the Continen-
| tai tour.
/ Of course, she knew abont the great
mills, but heretofore to her they been sir-
| ply acres of gloomy, smoking prison, from
which there was wrested the money that
bought all the good things.
On this pleasant day in the early au-
tumn. wearied with the conventional round
of pleasures and pastimes with which she
was surfeited, and somewhat aroused by a
novel she had been reading, which dealt
with the world of workers, she had deter
mined to see the inside of those great
smoky shops and find just what was going
on there and the manner of men who lived
among them.
Her father had laughed at her whim,
and as he had not time that day to go with
her, Philip Hammond acted as her escort.
Philip was her constant champion-her
destined husband-the son of Mr.. Norton s
lifelong friend, successful banker.
1t was but moment after the conver-
sation recorded between Miss Norton and
Mr.. Hammond that an accident occurred.
A man directly ahead of the visitors
carrying heavy load on his shoulder,
made misstep, fell against great leather
belt, and was carried upward with the belt.
As he realized his danger he gave fear
full shrek and his eyes met those Of Miss
Norton. The mortal terror in them burnt
into her very soul and she shrieked
"Philip, Philip, save him ! Oh, save
him r
She saw the wheel to which the belt was
dragging him and knew that he must be
crushed.
Philip saw the fearful danger, but 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, and score
of men were running toward the scene.
"Pull that lever, you there with the
white cap The black one Quick
Throw off the belt r. came in clear, com
manding tones from behind. But Ham
mond did not stir. He threw up one hand
to shut out the sight of the man being
crushed.
In the meatime past the two visitors
sprang the man who had shouted.
1t was the blacksmith from the forge.
The man on the belt was right in the
clutch of the wheel.
It seemed to Ida that she must surely
faint.
At that instant the blacksmith made a
lunge at revolving wheel, caught two OF
the iron spokes and braced his stalwart
legs.
1t seemed as though he would be thrown
against the machine beyond-but no, the
wheel stopped with a jerk.
The muscles of the blacksmith arms
and chest stood out like whipcords.
"Quick, boys, quick = he cried; 81
can stand this long.
He had no need to urge. Already two
workmen had hoisted third to theil
shoulders, and he pulled the victim from
the wheel, with one arm badly crushed,
but alive
Then the blacksmith let go the whee
and the machinery started to whirr and
buzz. The men crowded about him, ut,