The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-03-16

" W
I'm THE MAN, NOW. UNDER
STANDT
this morning" He rose as he spoke.
Shop No. s happens to be the work.
mems lunch-room, Mr. Campbell, and
not one of the factory buildings. Ma
chimes Nos. 10 and IA are models
dummies. Your other observations al
SO seem to show haste However, you
are the best Judge Of that, but I think
you might as well file your report with
out further consultation with me.
Good-day, SIR"
Outside the sunlight was glorious,
the air clear and bracing. Kennard
took deep breath Of It, but the atmos-
phere of room 940 still clung to him as
he travelled toward the factory-clung
to and enveloped him, SO that every
thing seemed to loom through its
murky haze. The taint of a political
system was In his nostrils-that Pc
culiar taint which disgusts the palate
of the sensitive and makes the mouths
Of the gross water with dclight--the
pungent taint which lures the eagles
Of ambition and the doves Of civic vir-
tue no less than all the carbon feeding
fiocks which circle in Its breath-the
taint that deadens honor before de-
stroying 1t, that poisons high purpose
and befogs the brain till in a wondrous
mirage wrong seems right, though q
whole world shake its head.
If his day had begun with more list
lessness than he had ever known be-
fore, it was to finish with burst of
resistless energy. Discouraging reports
met him at the station without dis
turbing him. A serious breakdown
had occurred In the machinery? II
must be repaired. Proper facilities
were lacking? They must be created.
A coal-barge had broken from its
moorings and drifted ashore? It must
be warped OF and secured again. With
no sign Of hurry but with indomitable
purpose he stood over gangs of men
and directed their labors. deaf to OBJ
jections, insistent. persistent, the en-
bodiment Of activity and personal ef-
fort. Now he was In the shops dis
posing the means at hand for the needs
of the moment, inventing resources
and devising expedients. Now he was
on the docks experimenting, encour-
aging. needless of difficulties except
when surmounting them. There was
life ard vigor in his every order. ir-
resistible impulse In his every action,
and his power of personal examination
at last carried the day. From the su-
perintendent to the Office boy, the lit
tie army OF John Kennard's Sons re.
sponded with enthusiasm, and the
buildings fairly hummed with restless
energy. Distractions melted away
tangles unravelled, breaks pieced to-
gether, the impossible became prac.
teal, and the wheels were once more
turning. Every man in the place felt
the touch of strong, guiding hand
relied on 1t, and, from very confidence
accomplished what was aimed at
''The boss is In fine FORM" was the
only comment In the workshops, but
the phrase had an unconscious ring oI
pride in the man who did things and
knew what he did them for.
John Kennard was In good form
Never had he been more sure of him
self. The consciousness of his power
was strong within him. as It must b,
in every commanding force, and wheI
he dropped his pen at the sound of th'
evening whistle there was no trace o
the flabby, fretful man who had lef
Mamaroneck that morning.
The tinkling of his bell reused hin
from the reverie into which he ha,
fallen at the close of his hard day
work, and as he answered 1t man en-
tered the room and walked to tn
desk. He was a tall, well-built, intel
ligent-looking fellow, wearing blacl
cutaway coat and blue overalls, an,
carrying stiff derby hat in his hand
"Good-evening, Ben. Want to speal
to me?"
"Yes, Mr.. Kennard. I'd like to hav
a few words"
The man gazed at the floor, an
then let his eyes wander about tn
room without meeting his employer
glance of inquiry.
go ahead"
I'm foreman Of the outside depart
ment now. and"
II know"
What ! want to say is, I'd like t
have the teams shod hereafter at Cut
ler's."
why? Doesn't Bennett do goo
work."
Pretty good"
"Then why changer"
well, you see he's not"
The speaker Lesitated.
Hes not what?"
mot union"
/ What of It? I don't care"
mo. Mr.. Kennard. but the men do.
what menr'
"The hands--all OF 'em."
Nonsense. Ben. You've worke
here long enough to know ths
Bennett was in these shops for To-
years before set him up In bushes
for himself. He's your neighbor IN
good worker. see no reason g
changing"
Then Id like to leave"
Kennard stared at the speaker !
astonishment
"What! you want to throw up you
Job simply because you can't hsye you
OWn way? That'a foolish. 90 hon