Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-01-21

4 I. the New century SnOpS !
! m = woke the echoes of the sur
I i < rounding hills with its
w. deep toned noon signal, and
-.e steam was still floating In
hong. undulating plume over the dark
slate roof Of the engine room a hun
lred or more of the men from the !
benches and lathes moved with a COM
mon impulse toward the Office Of the !!
superintendent. Sladen looked up, from
his desk with some surprise as Town
er 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 1t
You'll please step out in the shop?"
Certainly, Towner. What's wrong:"
lie wondered as he crossed the room
if discomfort could have erept in
among the men without some intima-
ton of impending trouble reaching his
office. There had been a strike at
Neayers. 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,
hut little later when he faced the
crowd in the adjoining building he dis
covered nothing unfriendly in their at
titnde
We'll. men. what is it," he inquired
in his habitually pleasant way. There
was n shifting rect siII1 III q w * " III d
silence for a moment. Then Townel
cleared his throat and commenced
speaking-with some diffdence at first
though as he proceeded he gained con
fdence and the words came with great
er freedom.
"Mr. Sladen, tho men Of the shop
have asst me to say few words 10 yo'
but / amt much OH maxim speecnes
an the only thing can do Is to tell 70
right out what we want. You see, Il
morrow will be New Year Day, 81
wen be shut down. You come IN he1
three years ago as superintendent
when we was all pretty sore over II
deal we got from Adams. CIh'
amt no joke, neither" interrupted
voice in the crowd.) "We didn't kno
just what was comm to us. Dut
wasn't long before we seen that y
was square and had some idee over q
above inventin' ways Of dockin' US;
think the companys books Will snf
that from tie minute you come IN III
was more work done with less KICK
than ever before. You have treated
s,.t !, n
play, an they amt been no spyln
spoakin' to get the favor or the OH
When any CT us was sick you aiW'
took notice an done what you could
us, an when there was sickness In
families. somehow you found OUT ap
it,. an Mrs. Slalen an your daugi
managed to get around an cheer
cur women folks an make it easier
EN- So you've been a good mar
work undcr, an I'll bet they ain
man in the shop this minute
wouldn't jus give yourthe shirt OF
back if he thought you needed
wanted it, There were cries OF
proval which Towner checked WI
movement of him grimy arm. Slao
embarrassment had been growing
the minute he caught the dr11
Towner's talk, and he now locke
uncomfortable and self-cOnsclous
youth with his first tall hat. "Mr.
den. the day after tO-morro" WI
the beginning of your fourth year
us, an we want to let you ana
Sladen remember this time and no
feel toward you. So we've cluDDe
scther an pat it into the best cioc
could find' Two Of the men 1roi
centre of the crowd pressed for
n.lwound heavy canton Hammer
er from handsome French II
timcpiecc and placed it on the
beside which Sladen stood. IL
proceeded: 1--WE hope you'll
look at the face Of it without >thl
Of the faces of those who are
be workin' under you, an tn
chimes will always bring to your
the sounds you now hear" ii
denly faced to the left. "Altot
boysr' Three rousing cheers we
IN in instant response, and in
lence that followed they wal
near what Sladen would say in
lie was too much shaken to sp
any length, but he managed to
: them thoroughly understand hoV
he appreciated the gift, and mos
fhe friendship and expression
aectlon that it carried with ii.
was another cheer VIXEN hc L