Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1905-08-04
THE HAND OF the por1Ee.


here today by appointment"
Inc junior partner looked up from the
mass or papers on his desk with a gesture
OF WEAKNESS. 1t was long past noon, yet
from earliest morning and half of the pre-
Nlous night he had been at his post des-
patching gangs, ordering out emergency
supplies, and attending to the innumera-
Die incidental questions that required
instant decision. The firm Of MacRae &
MacRae, bridge builders and contractors,
was famous throughout America. What
| they undertook to accomplish they accom-
pushed, and their word was as good as
| their bond. There had been a tremen-
dous storm two days previous in the
| interior OF the state. Much Of the pre-
urinary work of a great engineering
enterprise had been swept away, and the
| already overworked office was being
driven to the verge Of mental and physical
collapse. The Junior partner was general
superintendent of construction, having
all the handling Of the immense force Of
employees in his hands. There were
dark circles Of fatigue under his eyes,
and the drawn lines around his mouth
indicated strained self-control. Idealism
disilusion, had stamped their traces in
delibly upon him, and the warning ele-
| ments OF spirituality and logged resolu-
ton which made his face such a striking
one were never more clearly marked than
now. Yet the dominant effect of his
to do, dare, suffer, and accomplish.
Horner?' he questioned, with a pre-
occupied air, who Is Horner?"
| Hes the man YOU were speaking about
some weeks ago, sir. The man who APP
piled to you for work on one OF the gangs.
He was with Patterson all last summer
| on the new Champion bridge, and seemed
to do very well; at least so you said sir"
| An yes, / remember now A West
| ern man--worked his way through college
ana got little ahead in summer by
working on the construction gang. He is
OF type that l believe in encouraging
II possible regret that you will have to
see him, Carter in my place. That cable
business will take me TO Bristol this after
noon Let there be no misunderstanding
regarding the kind or the severity of the
work he Is applying for. On the whole"
he said quickly. and ringing the bell, Il
think l will write a line myself for you to
give him after you have explained mat
ters."
Send Miss Mathews 10 me-" to the
ofice-boy who appeared in answer to the
bell with the suddenness Of Jack -in-the-
box and take these instructions to Mr.
| winter. must leave this matter regard
ing the disputed right Of way in your
hands, Carter. The record OF the pro-
ceedings so far is on file in the law de-
partment. Ready. Miss Mathews"
Pushing aside some OF the many papers
N'AhN SIN AlAbtltu MS utShs the Junior
partner rested his head on his hand and
sat thinking
Mr.. Andrew 3. Horner-Dear Sir"
he said at last. In reply to your letter
Of the eighteenth applying for a position
on one OF the construction gangs, l beg
TO state that there is such vacancy at
the present moment. Mr.. Carter, my
representative, will explain the nature
OF the work required. the remuneration.
etc. Owing to pressing business, shall
be unable to keep my appointment with
you this afternoon, consequently l will
now state by letter what had intended
stating In person. / can offer you no
special encouragement regarding advance
ment, neither can ] offer you any i'm
mediate prospect OF an increase in salary
The work is hard, douby hard for a man
OF your education and ambition The
hours are long, the associations far from
pleasant; but II. as you say you have
courage and endurance, and must more
over, earn your daily bread, no matter
how. then do say that l will do for YOU
whatever lies in my power. have always
tried to think OF my employees as very
separate individuals-to advance their
interests and watch their development.
IL Is not the policy Of this office to tolerate
restlessness, or to countenance personal
applications for higher remuneration.
nave the welfare OF my men AZ heart and
push their advancement to the utmost OF
my ability.
should you accept, under these con-
dluons, the position have to offer, please
report for duty the day after tomorrow.
according TO the directions you will re-
ceive from Mr. Carter
Yours truly,
ROBERT MACRAE"
He then proceeded to dictate a number
OF other letters, wrote a personal note.
glanced at his watch with a sigh. and
picked up his hat
Just about time for sandwich before
the boat leaves, he said to himself III
we get that temporary work through this
Week. as / intend We SHALL we still have
chance TO pull things out well ahead OF
TIME Confound these freshets! they
Always come at the very worst moment
no chance OF seeing little Polite tonight
or Tor many night for that matter She
wont like my breaking that dinner en-
eagement' but does she ever like any
thing do, wonder?"
The swiftly passing days flew by, reck-
lessly changing themselves into weeks.
months, years. The second long dark
winter since MacRae's record breaking
bridge contract had at last been hurried
INTO the lnnumerable company OF yester-
days. There was a thrill OF awakening.
OF INFINITE promise in the air, as though
nature were only waiting for one long
ungrudging day OF sunshine to burst into
uazzllhs spring OF glory. Robert MacRae
walked with his swinging gait up the one
struggling street of the little village hidden
so far away in the interior of the great
Empire State, and felt the blood course
through his veins, and song ring in his
ears as he realized the promise and the
JOY this spring would hold in store for
him. His dark eyes glowed with a warm.
steady light, and the bitter expression of
the mouth had softened and sweetened
into quiet, strong content. He swung
around the corner and into the shabby
little inn, the only one Of which the town
could boast He seated himself at one end
OF the long table in the dining room.
and, after ordering something to eat he
called Tor Riley, his foreman. A few mo-
ments later man entered the ROOM and,
walking up to the table. stood quietly
waiting. The junior partner put down his
newspaper and looked up with a genial
smile. 1t changed quickly to an expression
OF surprise as he observed the man be-
fore him.
II expected Riley" he said, simply
who are your"
THE sub-foreman, sir"
MacRae was struck by the cultivated
voice and respectful manner
Have you all the reports and specih-
| cations?' he asked. This is a very i'm
| portant matRr and l cannot possibly
make the Journey again this year"
| Yes, sir, have all the data. Riley has
| been i'll with rheumatic fever for some
time now, and I have attended to all the
| imDOrtant details parconaIiy I bopa A.