The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-02-16
CHAPTER |.


difference between the noise of a bus,
shipyard with thousands of hammer!
beating iron riyets or steel plates ant
the noise of Kennard's shops wa'
merely one of duration, not of degree
The hammers in shipyards sometime.
rest; the machinery of the factory
was in motion day and night. Some
one dubbed kennards private Office
=, the pilot-house,' and the name was
not inapt. Sounddeadenng walls and
doors afforded grateful shelter from the
tempest of noise without, and gave to
the place that calm atmosphere OF
guidance and control which bespeaks
the chartroom of storm-swept ships
Every time the massive door opened
little gusts of noise whirled in with
the snarf and shriek of railroad cars
passing one another at lightning speed
every time the door closed the sudden
silence seemed to jar the brain and
the door was always opening or clos
ing. But John Kennard was not in
terested in the physical effects of these
contrasts, for the excellent reason that
he was unconscious of them He had
lived in the factory so long that
the nerves which once might have
protested against its crash and roar
were happily unresponsive. The
sound-proot room was concession to
the weakness OF visitors.
There was no use knocking for ad-
mission at the door of "the pilot.
house" The summons could not be
heard. But mischievous Office boys
often allowed strangers to bruse their
knuclleS before pointing to the electric
button encircled by the words Push
twice Even then they did not al
ways explain the answering ring until
the visitor lost his temper.
The deliberate movements of pom
derous individual who stood before
Mr. Nennard's door one morning In
September were not, however, induced
by doubt. He rang the bell twice
heard the answering tinlile, pulled open
the heavy door, and stepping inside,
gradually checked its swing with his
brawny back. The prolonged riot OF
sound did not disturb Mr.. Kennard,
but as the lock gently clicked into
place he glanced up from his writing.
pushed some papers across his large
fat-topped desk, and addressed the
visitor in brisk, CHEEKY tone.
Hello Mullin. How are you? Sit
down"
Dim well, thank zee, sorr. Least
ways Oim well, but don't feel So"
Kennard gazed at the great good
natured bulk of a man who stood
awltwardly wiping one hand on his
grease-smeaTed overalls and gravely
stroking his clean-shaven chin with
the other. But if he felt any inclina-
tion to laugh at the picture, no trace
OF it sounded in his voice as he asked
why don't you feel well, Patrick?"-
"Shure. It's little Mary Ann, sorr."
"Yes; what's wrong with her?"
"Oi don't know as OF can rightly tell,
sorr, but DR.. Farley's been afther say
In he must amputayte her leg, an she
only iliven.'
mo! What has happened?"
well. sorr. the children did be for
playin in the scrap-tin pile, and Mary
Ann cut her leg Twill be two weeks
come Thursday next. Shure we
thought nothin' av 1t at all till 1t got
no better, and then we sent for DIR.
Farley, who says tbs mortified 1t Is
and must be amputayted."
This is bad news, Patrick-very bad
indeed. I'm more sorry than | can
say Is there nothing l can do?"
81 was thinkin', sorr, perhaps ye'd be
KNOWN some other doctor thot'd take
. look at little Mary Ann befur-"
why yes, of course. Martin will
do it gladly. Here, take this card to
him. DR.. Farley won't be offended II
you speak to him about 1t. Martins
one of the foremost surgeons in the
city. Maybe something can be done.
hope so, anyway. Go right home
now, see Farley, and ask him to call
In Martin. Never mind reporting up
stairs. I'll speak to the foreman my
self. Let me hear as soon as possible
how you're getting on. My respects
and sympathy to Mrs. Mullin. Good
day. Please send Merrill and Sanders
10 me as you go out"
"Yiz, sorr. Thank zee, sorr."
peal of iron thunder which was muf-
Ned, choked and silenced in the heavy
closing swing; but Kennard, absorbed
In his work, took no note of Merrill's
and Sanders presence until he saw the
two clerks standing besire him. Then
he instantly ceased writing. and pulling
q sheet Of paper from a drawer of the
desk, addressed the elder man.
mir. Merrill, as | figure it. We have
$41 .275 to meet tomorrow"
Yes, sir"
Don't you think we'd better have
ten thousand from the bank then?"
"There will be more than enough In
the first morning mail. sir to-"
"Yes, ! know. But Baird Is slow, and
Dudley will probably make some de-
duction, so we won't be able to deposit
his check They amount to over ST.
600, don't they?"
"Yes. SIR
"Then please make the necessary ar
rangements with the bank, Mr.. Mer-
MI. and let me know when it's done.
That's all, thank you. Mr. Sanders.
how many a machines have we In
atock?"
"Well--er-about thirty, I think.
dr." replied the clerk. hesitatingly.
Don't you know?"
mot exactly, cir. There may be
sOr ave-"
More than that. think. sir, but
Ally I cf,ai1dnsk saw ofPhnud - /