The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-03-05
S&lett St0rp.
IN THE MOLDING ROOM.
From Youths Companion.

1t was three o clock in the afternoon,
and the largest cheat of the day was be-
ing taken off The picture was a weird
one. The day outside was dark and gloomy,
and within the big building there seemed
to be premature twilight.
| Clouds of steam rose from the damp
| sand, and here and there a brilliant glow
showed where the melted iron was squirting
from the cupola or being poured from the
ladle into the molds in the sand. Groups
Of half-naked men hurried about, working
with tremendous energy.
The new chairman of the board of di-
rectors, who had never witnessed such a
scene, followed the general manager into
the molding room rather timidly.
its hard work, you see, remarked
the general manager, .'and rather respon-
sible work, too Besides, it mighty dan
gerous sometimes, and | don t know that
the men are not justified in asking for their
increase of pay.
The chairman did not reply at once, be-
ing apparently trihe nervous. HIS little
son, who was with him, clung tightly to his
hand. The eyes Of the boy were wide
with wonder, but he seemed more fascin-
ated than frightened
The chairman patted the lad on the head
to reaSSure him.
They are never satisfied, | suppose,
he said, drawing himself up aud pulling his
coat together in way that important men
have. when we were losing money un-
/ I'll our stock was down almost to where we
would have had to pay people to take it,
and we ran at a loss simply to keep our
men together, they didn't complain, but
now that there is i bare chance of decent
dividend, they want to share it with us =
7 The general manager shook his head,
F They den look into the matter strictly on
I the investment basis, fear, he said
The trouble is, asserted the chair
man, elavating his voice little that it
might reach the ears Of the general mana
( ger above the din Of the shop, ''the rank
and ile Of them are little better than
F horses. and he went on, pleased with his
COMPARISON. some horses | know would
| be ashamed of a good many Of them
Il was one Of them myself fer a good
many years remarked the general mana
ger. dryly
+ OF course, said the rank and file,
inJerposed the chairman, hastily There
are exceptions in all classes as well As cases
/ Now. right on our board Of directors there
are men that good, steady going donkey
would be ashamed Of and the chairman
laughed IN a highly self satisfied way at
I the tactful manner in which he had set
/ himself right
! The general manager smiled grimly, but
made no response, aud presently be sug.
gcs,ed passing on to inspect the new brass
foundry
The little sou, however, had become
/ fascinated by the glowing metal, and he
whispered that be wanted to stay longer
/ / don ike to leave you alone, answered
the chairman; you might get in the
way
Wants to stay. does he ? said the
general manager Well, he can, if YOU
are willing. III put him in charge of one
Of the men, and we eau come through here
on the way back. He will enjoy seeing
them pour the big castings
He beckoned to one of the men, stall
wart, curlyhaired young fellow George, "
he said, the little fellow wants to see the
big ones poured Take care Of him until
we come back
An right, sir The workman held
out his hand, and the boy promptly went
to him.
my stars calculated the chairman
He is usually afraid Of strangers.
He knows a good horse when he sees
one, remarked the general manager, as
he stalked along ahead
oh now, | say, protested the chair
man. that was only my little joke.
And this was only mine, returned
the manager. smiling, as the big iron doors
closed behind them
George Smith, Big George Smith
they called him, to distinguish him from
Little Geo Smith who was pattern
maker, took the boy by the hand aud led
him over to a safe place by the stone wall
of the building
If you will stand right there, he said,
you will be safe, and you can see every
thing
The little fellow was fascinated by the
scene. There was row Of holes which
the big ladle filled quite near him. and as
one after another was poured, he watched
the process closely. There were three
more, and the last one was quite close
not over 10 feet away.
Twice more the crane came with its
heavy load, and then rolled noisily back to
the squirting cupola. A half dozen men
came with it to help direct the pouring,
which was to be the most important one Of
the day The eyes of the little boy glowed
with excitement. This was to be the most
thrilling spectacle of all.
The electric traveller overhead slowed
and stopped. The enormous ladle was al
most directly above the mold, the top Of
which was practically level with the surface
of the floor. The great chains clanked as
the huge receptacle was lowered to within