Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-06
THE DAILY
SHORT STORY.
The Superintendent
IOriginal.1


turing firms of thirty years ago was
Stringham * Bliss, now the String
ham-Bliss company. Stringham start
ed the business alone and for n long
while lost money steadily. There was
one man in his employ who continually
made trouble, Tom Lynch. a powerful
fellow Of considerable influence in the
mills and always spelling for n fight"
Lynch usually contrived to find out
when line of work needed TO be fin
ished by a given time or Stringham he
stuck for Il forfeit, and invariably
brought on trouble at the critical juno
ture. Stringham knew this and would
gladly have got rid of Lynch. but was
afraid TO discharge him for fear lie
would revenge himself in some way.
Finally Stringham's timidity and
Lynch's Interference led to the closing
of the mills.
One day n little blue eyed man who
had been one of Stringham's employees
went to him and told him that if he
would reopen the mills and appoint
him Mark Bliss superintendent he
would guarantee that all would go
peaceably thereafter. Stringham told
him that he needed more capital. which
would be forthcoming in three months,
and that he would then consider his
request to be made superintendent.
Bliss had saved $50. which he spent
in taking lessons in boxing. The mills
were reopened. and he received his ap-
pointment. \ few weeks later he an
nounced that the men would be en-
ployed and paid for overtime. as a
large contract had been secured which
must be completed with dispatch. AS
he expected. Lynch at once began to
foment trouble. One morning Bliss
went into the foundry where Lynch
worked and saw that the men there.
instead of being ut work, were gath
cred about Lynch, who was haranguing
them.
Lynch" said Bliss. purposely adj
dressing himself to the malcontent and
ignoring the men, 'why are you not ut
work.
We're considering a strike" said
Lynch. These beggarly wages are not
to be endured any longer"
Go TO work at once or leave the
mill"
''I'II so 10 work when l get ready.
and. as for leaving the mill. We'll see if
any little popinjay who was one of us.
but who has now got up where he can
turn against us. is able TO put me out"
Bliss. whose muscles q three months
training had made hard as iron. was
meanwhile approaching Lynch. but his
manner was SO quiet. the tone of his
voiceNso devoid of threat or excitement,
that Lynch supposed he was coming TO
argue the point with him. Suddenly
the little superintendent darted be-
tween two of the men who stood about
Lynch and. landing n blow under the
chin. sent the bully sprawling on the
cinders.
"Stand back. men" said Bliss. you.
John Walsh-I've stood at the same
bench with you-see fair play. You.
Evan Dugald-you remember the trou-
BILE got you out of when the sheriff
levied OH your furniture. Stand back.
comrades. All l want is fair play"
The two men addressed put them
selves before their fellow workmen.
and with one accord all formed n ring
around the two combatants. Lynch
jumped TO his feet and went for Bliss
like mad bull. but the skull splitting
blow he aimed struck the air. for his
adversary ducked and. coming up be-
side him. planted his fist on his ear.
downing him. There were ten rounds,
during which science kept little Bliss
out of the way OF the bully's terrific
blows, any one of which would have
knocked him out Skill and the en-
durance acquired in training at last
enabled him TO tire out his antagonist
Then he began to close in for a finish.
After two or three lunges which were
only partially successful he made a
feint to the right. and thus. throwing
Lynch off his guard. concentrated all
the force he could muster into a blow
aimed to take the bully under the chin.
Lynch gave way backward and caught
it in his throat His incline to the rear
made the fall so heavy that he failed
to get up.
Now. men," said the victor. "there
lies the man who by tampering with
us caused the closing of these mills and
the suffering our families endured in
All require of you is to
go to work and remember that Mr..
is as necessary to you as
you are TO him."
The superintendent then directed
four of the men to carry Lynch to the
Office. where he received every atten-
ton and the next day went to work |
peaceably. first assuring the superin-
tendent that he would cause no further |
trouble. From that day he was one of |
the steadiest workmen in the plant and |
n Sfr0nO friend and a1mirar of NarL- i
Bliss.
The contract was fulfilled on time |
and was a very profitable one. String |
ham raised Bliss salary and, finding |
him so scrviceable in keeping order in |
the mills. realizing that he needed just |
such man permanently. took him into |
Thus the one thing the |
concern needed was supplied String |