Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-16
CHAPTER l.

long endure. 1t was deafening, be-
wildering. maddening. according to the
state OF the nerves attacked, but al
ways penetrating and insistent The
difference between the noise OF busy
shipyard with thousands Of hammers
beating iron rivets or steel plates and
the noise of -Kennard's shops was
merely one of duration, not Of degree.
The hammers in shipyards sometimes
rest; the machinery OF the factory
was in motion day and night Some
one dubbed Kennards private office
"tbe pilot-house," and the name was
not inapt. Sound-deadening 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 snarl and shrek 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, Tor 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-proof 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 brrise their
knuckles 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. Kennard's door one morning In
September were not, however. induced
by doubt. He rang the bell twice
heard the answering tinkle, pulled open
the heavy door, and stepping inside.
gradually checled its swing with his
brawny back. Tn 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
fiat-topped desk, and addressed the
visitor in a brisk. CHEEKY tone.
Hello, Mullin. How are you? Sit
down"
"Oi'm well. thank zee. sorr. Least
ways Oi'm well, but don't feel so."
Kennard gazed at the great good
natured bulk Of a man who stood
awkwardly wiping one hand on his
gresse-smeared overalls and gravely
stroking his ciean-shaven chin with
the other. But If he felt any inclina-
ton to laugh at the picture, no trace
of il sounded in his voice as he asked
why don't you feel well, Patrick"
"Shure, tits little Mary Ann, sorr."
Eyes; what's wrong with her.?
"Oi don't know as Oh 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%
"Wel. 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 go'
no better, and then we sent for DIR.
Farley, who says 'tis mortified it is
and must be amputayted.
This is bad news. Patrick-very bad
indeed. I'm more sorry than ! can
say. Is there nothing can do?"
"T was thinkin', sorr, perhaps ye'd be
KNOWN some other doctor thotd take
q 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. Martin S
one of the foremost surgeons IN the
city. Maybe something can be done.
I 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
to me as you go out."
"Yiz, sorr. Thank ZEE, sorr."
The opened door let in mighty
peal of iron thunder which was muir
fed, choked and silenced in the heavy
closing swing: but Kennard, absorbed
In his work, took no note Of Merrills
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.
"Mr. Merrill, as | figure It, we have
$41, PTS to meet tomorrow"
"Yes, sir"
Don't you think we'd better have
ten thousand from the bank them"
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?"
Eyes, sir"
"Then please make the necessary ar
rangements with the bank. Mr.. Mer-
rill, and let me know when it's done
That's all, thank you. MIR. Sanders