Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1903-01-06


as far almost as the eye could reach
this dense mass Of humanity. men. wo-
men aud children. cheered and waved
parasols, hats. handkerchiefs and min,
iature flags.
The great Labor day parade passed
slowly along. and parties OF picniekers
filed the street cars on other thorough
fires.
Fathers, husbands and sons were
where every son of toll shculd be on
such a day. Ia the ranks Of the labor
men on parade. 4 few were working
In miniature shops erected as floats
representing some particular line Of in
dustry and drawn along the streets by
gayly decked horses. hut the multitude
were in the ranks. each III his respec-
tive urfon, doing his little ID swell the
showing in the army of the nboring
man. the bone and sineW of u great
nation.
Ted Gardner. as usual. was In line.
Ted's friends always looked for him on
one of the huge floats that preceded the
various unions and labor organizers
representing the different branches of
mechanical art. For six years Ted had
been with the Westchester company.
hundred and more employees who
earned his livelihood within the walls
but had CHEEKY word for Ted. Since
the last Labor day parade. however, to
his most intimate friends Ted had not
appeared to be-just as cheerful as in
the old days. Moreover. lie was doing
too much night work ut home.
Its enough to work your eight hours
each day. Ted.' said Fitson to him the
morning of the parade, and put in
your evenings knocking around
"Not the kind that knocks around,
Fits" replied>Ted
.'Go over and see the girl. then. my
boy" responded Fitson as a parting
shot. 'eThat's better STILL
Good advice muttered Gardner to
himself, "but quit that year ago."
The Westchester employees always
met after the Labor day ceremonies
and had an excursion Of their own in a
general good. old fashioned picnic
style. This year Ted had decided to
take charge of the two fieats that came
from the Westminster shops and see
them safely returned. He was not go
ing to the picnic.
On one float. showing a small marine
engine and three benches with the
same number OF men busily at work,
was Ted attired In working clothes and
doing nothing In particular, but moving
about.
His mind was evidently on the other
float ahead, for he continually glanced
in that direction. On this float was a
genuine. If small, naphtha launch. and
to add to the realistic effect three Ia
dies of the Office staff AMI as many
men from the same department, be.
comingly' attired in boating costumes,
were lounging about on THE cushions.
The small engine in the craft was not
working. but the naphtha was occa-
sionally lighted to keep steam up for
the purpose of blowing the ear split
ting whistle at stated intervals.
1t was not the float itself that at
tracted the attention of young Gard
ner, but little Nell Fowler. one of the
three ladies. Nell was the Oldest
daughter of big Joe Fowler. for many
years foreman Of tile Westchester
works, and man who thought we'll OF
Ted and had kept bis eye on the boy
in the early days, for there's some
thing more than ordinary in that cuss,
he would say. But Joe contracted diph
iberia during the epidemic in the shops
in 1899 and was the third OF the eight
men carried of that never to be forgot
ten spring.
The company did something hand
some-' as the boys put it. for each OF
| the bcreaved families. and III addition
| In Fowler's case took Into the Office al
a fair salary his daughter Nell. a young
woman of some twenty summers.
| The day Of Joe's death Ted had me
| Nell walking down to the works t
deliver the message She was weep
| ing. He had never spoken to her be
| fore. but he suspected her mission
and, raising his cap politely. said feel
ingly: please. Miss Fowler, I'll tel
them at the works. Don't you go dowl
there"
Nell hesitated a moment, looked ap
pealingly at him. then THANK you
she said. You are very kind. Quick
~ she retraced her steps, and Ted
| watching the retreatins figure for ;
moment, sauntered of to break TIL
/ news to the Office staff.
Yes, he remembered ali that a
though it were yesterday. yet it wa
almost three years ago. Labor day o
that year Nell was not 1T the picnic
but on the next holiday she was there
and on that very day he had told her.
It needed no telling. for Nell ha,
known long ago. as every woman does
and she was proud Of it. but she sa
silently picking wild flower to piece
as be spoke, and finally when be aske
that she give up the office and com
with him to new home Of their ows
she rose to her feet and moved away.
he had followed. From then ON sh
se~tiiSo " Sh3 A<sc. ~ -itist III Though
so. Again be had spoken and this tim
got an answer 1t was No If sh
held any love for him. It was hide
deep somewhere beyond the vision Q
human eyes.
II it's on account of your mothe
Nell, Ted yentured. why. Of cours'
shell live with us. I want her to-
Why. bless you, Nell, he went ON wit