The sea coast echo., 1903-01-10

She threaded her way daintilly
through the great shop with its be-
wlldering whirr of machinery and its
roaring flres--its flying sparks and dirt
and DUST and smoke.
Now and again she stopped to watch
some great machine perform It's al
most human work. The men, with
their splendid muscles and perfect skill
interested her immensely. But her
companion was distinctly bored. The
crime and sweat and dirt offended his
aristocratic senses and the noise Jared
upon his cars.
What you can find interesting In
this pandemonium | cannot imagine"
he expostulated ut is bad enough for
those who have to be mere and do the
work." but to deliberately seek 1t when
the sun is shining outside, the roads
are hard and motor car Is waiting, Is
beyond me-"
"oh. Philip, can't YOU feel the thrill
Of seeing things done by real people?"
cbe 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 woman-it is grand"
well, I'm blessed II can see 1t that
way" rejoined the man. Far from
seeming romantic, 1t looks to me as
though tho 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 llDor-and somebody has
to do it-but | can't say ! care to see
them at it-anyway, on n 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's first visit to the great
works of which her father was the
owner. She had been reared in the
exclusive atmosphere of wealth, and
her vision had not reached much be-
yond her fathers palatial mansion, the
theatres, the other palatial mansions
in "our sat-" and the Continental tour.
OF course. she knew about the great
mills. but heretofore to her they had
been simply acres Of gloomy, smoking
prisons, from which there was wrcsted
the money that bought all the good
things.
On this pleasant day in the early
autumn, wearied with the conventional
round of pleasures and pastimes with
which she was surfeited, and some
what aroused by novel she had been
reading, which dealt with the world
OF workers. she had determined 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, AMI as he had not time that day
to go with her, Philip Hammond act
ed as her escort. Philip was her con-
stant champion-her destined husband
the son of Mr.. Nortons lifelong
friend successful banker.
II was but moment after the con-
yersation recorded between Miss Nor
ton and Mr.. Hammond that an acci-
dent occurred.
A man directly ahead OF the visit
ors carrying heavy load on his shoul-
der, made a misstep. fell against
great leather belt, and was carried off
his feet and was carried up
ward with the belt AS he realized
his danger he gave-a fearful 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!"
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 a
soore Of men were running toward the
scene.
Pull that lever, you there with the
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
nan being crushed
In the meantime past the two yis-
itors spraug the man who had shout
cd.
II was the blacksmith from the forge.
Tie 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 bracei his
stGlwart legs.
1t seemed as though he would be
thrown against the machine beyond
but no, the wheel stopped with jerk.
The muscles of the blacksmith 8
arms and chest stood out like whip
cords.
Quick, boys. quieli!" he cried; 81
can't stand this long"
He had no need to urge. Already
two workmeL had hoistod a third to
tleir shoulders. aud he pulled tho VIC
finn from the wheel with enc arm bad
" rushed, but alive.
Then the blacksmith let 90 the wheel
Gnd the machinery started to whIrr
ard buzz. ihe men crowded about
hm, uttering congratulations.
Well, I'm ble"t. Joe. You saved
Mike from helm made into iaincemeat
tl,t time. / didn think II could be
d. ne. BY Jovc, Joe. I'd like to have