The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-12-18

Nf0N deep toned noon signal and
wl..c ,Ae steam was still floating in a
dong, undulating plume over the dark
slate roof of the engine room "A hun
dred or more of the men from the
benches and lathes moved with com
mon impulse toward the office OF the
superintendent. Sladen looked up from
his desk with some surprise as Town
or stepped into the room.
Excuse me, Mr. Sladen," said Town
or in answer TO his look OF inquiry,
but the men wanted me to ask il
you'll please step out in the shopY
Certainly, Towner What's wrong?"
He wondered as he crossed the room
If discomfort could have crept In
among the men without some intima-
iion Of impending trouble reaching his
Office. There had been a strike at
Weavers, and the Ramsey shops were
still shut down with differences which
could not be satisfactorily adjusted.
Sladen had always prided himself on
keeping in close touch with his men,
and he could not understand this move,
but little later when he faced the
crowd in the adjoining building he dis
covered nothing unfriendly in their at
titude
"Well. men, what is itF he inquired
IN his habitually pleasant way. There
was shifting OF feet and an awkward
silence for a moment Then TOwner
cleared his throat and commenced
speaking-with some diflidcnce at first,
though as he proceeded he gained con-
fdence and the words came with great
er freedom.
Mr. SlaGon, the nen OF the shops
have ast me TO say few words to you,
but / amt much on maxim speeches,
an the only thing can do is to tell you
right out what we want. You see to-
morrow will be New Year Day, an
wen be shut down. You come in here
three years ago as superintendent
when we was all pretty sore over the
deal we got from Adams" CThat
mint no joke, neither" interrupted a
voice in the crowd) 1--WE didn't know
Just what was comm TO us, but 1t
wasn't long before we seen that you
was square and had some idcc over an
above invcntin' ways Of dockin' us; an
think the company's books will show
that from the minute you come in they
was more work done with less kickin'
than ever before. You have treated us
all white; you amt had no favorites To
play, an they amt been no spyin an
speakin' 10 get the favor OF the Office.
When any of us was sick you always
took notice an done what you could for
us, an when there was sickness in our
families, somehow you found out about
IL, an Mrs. Sladen an your daughter
managed TO get around an cheer up
our women folks an make il easier for
'em. SO you've been a good man TO
work under, an I'll bet they ain't n
man in the shop this minute who
wouldn't jus give you the shirt Off his
back if lie thought you needed IL or
wanted IT," There were cries or ap-
proval which Towner checked with Il
movement Of him grimy arm. Sladen's
embarrassment had been growing from
the minute he caught the drift OF
TOwner's talk, and he now looked rs
uncomfortable and self lf-consCiouS rs n
youth with his first tall hat. "Mr Sla-
den. the day after tomorrow will be
the beginning OF your fourth year with
us, an we want TO let you and Mrs.
Sladen remember this time and how we
feel toward you. So we've dubbed to-
gether an put IL into the best clock we
could find" Two OF the men from the
centre of the crowd pressed forward,
unwound heavy canton flannel Gov
er from a handsome French marble
timepiece and placed il on the bench
beside which Sladeu stood. Towner
proceeded: 1--WE hope youll never
look at the face of it without thinking
of the faces of those who are glad 10
be workin' under you, an that its
chimes will always bring TO your mind
the sounds you now hear" He sud
denly faced to the left. Altogether,
boysr' Three rousing cheers were Civ
on in instant response, and in the 81
lence that followed they waited 10
hear what Sladen would say in reply
He was too much shaken to speak nj
any length, but he managed TO make
he appreciated the gift, and most of all
the friendship and expression OF ar
fection that IL carried with il. There
was another cheer when he had fin
ished. the crowd broke up into groups
and there was general rush for luncl
baskets and dinner pals.
TON" Sladen's wife. n gentle.facct
woman, whose prematurely gray hail
suggested n tragedy OF earlier days
listened to his story OF the MONDAY
episode as he told il at the supper Ia
BILE that night. and at its conclusion
threw her arms about his neck an,
wept hysterlcally-Something tha
Dorothy, their slender, sympathetic
daughter. was quiu az loss TO under
S.and. Later. when Dorothy had re
tired and the husband and wife sat to
gether before the blazing open fire. SlG
den drew from his breast pocket
packet, which he carefully opened. On
OF the letters which Il contained h
unfolded and regarded for n time 1
silence. When he spoke his voice v
brated with an infinite tenderness:
"What a fight il has been. dear oil
girl! How long 'he years have seemed
To-day when the men were cheering
thought / should choke. and when
tried to speak TO them had TO struggl
90 keep from telling them my story
half wondering IL they would feel th
same toward we IL they knew. But