The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1903-01-02


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
man being crushed.
In the meantime past the two Wis
itors sprang the man who had shout
ed.
1t was the blacksmith from the forge.
The 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 revolving wheel, caught
two of the iron spokes and braced his
stclwart legs.
1t seemed as though he would be
thrown against the machine beyond
hut no, the wheel stopped with jerk.
The muscles of the blacksmith's
arms and chest stood out like whip
cords.
Quick, boys, quickl" he cried; 81
can't stand this long"
He had no need to urge Already
two worlmen had hoisted a third to
their shoulders, and he pulled the vic
tim from the wheel, with one arm bad
ly crushed, but alive.
Then the blacksmith let go the wheel
and the machinery started to whirr
aud buzz. The men crowded about
him, uttering congratulations.
well, I'm blest, Joe. You saved
Mike from bein' made into mincemeat
that time. l didn't think it could be
done. By Jove, Joe, I'd like to have
your muscle"
These and similar compliments were
fired at him as he turned with a broad
grin to the forge.
Directly in his way stood beautiful
girl with blanched face, her great
brown eyes swimming with tears.
ooh, sir / want to say that you are
the bravest and strongest and quickest
man ever saw. l cannot thank you
too much. I was afraid he would be
crushed to death"
He flushed to the roocs of his hair.
at was nothing, MISS" he said.
"Any of the men would have done it. !"
That evening Ida went over the
scene with her father. He knew all
about and told her that the rescuer
was Joseph Madern.
zone of the best men we have" he
said warmly. "a thorough mechanic
and an inventor We keep him at the
forge because there is a particular
part of the machine that has to be
done by hand, and Madern does it bet
ter than anybody else. Few men have
the strength and skill combined to do
it. We pay him as we'll as though he
were a foreman, but have to keep him
at the forge. l have ordered that he
be handsomely rewarded for his hero
ism today"
Papa, II want you to invite him to
dinner" suddenly said Ida, after some
minutes spent in thought
"Who?" asked Mr.. Norton, looking
up from Lis paper.
"Mr. Madern. l think it would be
much nicer way to show apprecia-
ton of his heroism than merely tC
give him money"
Mr.. Norton smiled. He was moi
wholly undemocratic in his Instincts
But your mother" he said.
She had an answer, and the result
was that Joe Madern found himself
! with palpitating heart going up the
steps of the Norton mansion one even
ing.
( He was neatly dressed and bore him
self with demeanor that charmed thu
} girl as much as his exhibition o
strength.
Mrs Norton absented herself from
dinner with cold disapproval
t After dinner Miss Norton took he
strange guest to the library, and wa
astonished at the wide knowledge h
displayed of books and the strong opin
ions he held on economic topics.
He told her of their workingmen'
g club and the discussions they haC
4 You should attend one Of our opei
meetings; it would interest you" h
d said.
a 81 will" she replied, and she die
e and was still more astodnded to hea
him in debate where he stood like
e lion to fight for his opinions, usin