Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-06

and commenced speaking-with some diff
dence at first, though as he proceeded he
gained confidence and the words came with
greater freedom.
"Mr. Sladen, the men Of the shops have
asst me to say a few words to you, but
amt much on maxim speeches, an the
only thing l can do is to tell you right out
what they want. You see, tomorrow will
be New Year day, an We'll be shut down.
You come in here three years ago as super
intendent, when we was all pretty sore over
the deal we got from Adams" ("That
amt do joke, neither interrupted a voice
in the crowd) I'VE didn't know just what
was comm to US, but it wasn't long before
we seen that you was square and had some
idee over an above inventin' ways OF
dockin US; an 1 think the companys
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
sneakin' to 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 it, an Mrs.
Sladen an your daughter managed to get
around an cheer up our women folks an
make 1t easier for EN- So you've been
good man to work under, an I'll bet they
amt man in the shop this minute who
wouldn't JUS give you the shirt off his back
II he thought you needed 1t or wanted It,"
There were cries Of approval which Towner
checked with movement Of his grimy
arm. sladen's embarrassment had been
growing from the minute he caught the
drift Of Towner's talk, and he now looked
as uncomfortable and self-conscious as
youth with his first tall hat "Mr. Sladen,
the day after tomorrow will be the begin
ming 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 together an put it into the
best clock we could find" Two of the men
from the center Of the crowd pressed for
ward, unwound heavy Canton flannel
cover from a handsome French marble
timepiece and placed it on the bench beside
which Sladen stood. Towner proceeded:
1--WE hope you'll never look at the face of
it without thinking of the faces of those
who are glad to 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, boys!"
Three rousing cheers were given in instant
response and In the silence that followed
they waited to hear what Sladen would say
in reply. He was too much shaken to speak
at any length. but he managed to make
them thoroughly understad how much he
appreciated the gift, and most Of all the
it carried with it. There was another cheer
when he had finished the crowd broke up
into groups. and there was a general rush
for lunch baskets and dinner pals.
Tom Sladen's wife, a gentle-faced wo-
man, whose prematurely gray hair suggest
ed tragedy Of earlier days, listened to his
story of the monday episode as he told 1t
at the supper table that night and at its
conclusion threw her arms about his neck
and wept Notwithstanding that Dor
othy their slender, sympathetic daughter,
was quite at a loss to understand. Later,
when Dorothy had retired and the husband
and wife sat together before the blazing
open fire, Sladen drew from his breast pock-
ct a packet, which he carefully opened. One
of the letters which 1t contained he unfold
ed and regarded for time in silence When
he spoke his voice vibrated with an infinite
tenderness:
What fight 1t has been, dear old girl!
How long the years have seemed. Today
when the men were cheering I thought I
should choke, and when tried to speak to
them had to struggle to keep from telling
them my story-half wondering If they
would feel the same toward me If they
knew. But / held it back and they shall
never know. Think Of the wasted years and
the pain of it, but with Cod help and your
plucky arms about me have been able to
keep in the right way. I want to read this
letter to you, dearest. I have kept it all
me into the right road. It's words haunted
me from the day got it. and when 1 pic
tured your despair and the future of our
little girl 1 prayed that I might be kept
steadfast in my determination
Don't read It,, Tom, remember 1t. I
think" protested Mrs. Sladen, going around
behind her husband and slipping her fingers
over his eyes. Don't read it,
He moved her hands aside gently. IT
must. Nell, must"
And then he read:
To No. 36319. National Penitentary.
Dear Tom: Another New Year has come
around-the fifth since you were taken
away. ! often wond~r If in the old days
when you were scheming and working to
make what you called easy money" you