The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-07-21
THE
MINORITY
By FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
Author of "The Case anS
Exceptions" Etc.
Copyright ls04 " gsd, ,eL A. stoke. 3 csa
{ CHAPTER l.

uIoiS tHaA thc average person could
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 Remarks 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 Remarks private Office
the 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, 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-proof room was a 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 mischieyous Office boys
often allowed strangers 10 bruise their
knuckles before pointing to the electric
button encircied 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 a pom
derous Individual who stood before
Mr. Remarks 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 step ng inside.
gradually checked It's 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
Hat-topped desk, and addressed the
visitor In a brisk, CHEEKY tone.
Hello, Mullin. How are you! Sit
down"
"oi'ms well, ethank. zee, sorr. Least
ways Oi'm we'll, but don't feel So"
Kennard gazed at the great good.
uatured bulk OF a man who stood
awkwardly wiping one hand on his
grease-smeared overalls and gravelS
stroking his clean-shaven chin with
the other. But II he felt any inclina.
ton TO laugh at the picture, no trace
Of 1t sounded In his voice as he asked
why don't you feel well. Patrickr
'Shure, It's little Mary Ann, sorr."
"Yes; what's wrong with herr"
''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 iiven."
mo! What has happened%
well, sorr, the children did be for
playin' in the scrsp-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 gou
no better, and then we sent for DR..
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 I can do?"
al was thinkin', sorr, perhaps ye'd be
knowin' some other doctor thotd take
4 look at little Mary Ann befur-"
why yes, of course. Martin will
10 it gladly. Here, take this card to
lin. DR. Farley won't be offended II
,ou speak to him about it. Martins
me of the foremost surgeons in the
,ity. Maybe something can be done.
hope so, anyway. Go right home
low, see Farley, and ask him to call I
n Martin Never mind reporting up
tairs. I'll speak to the foreman my
elf Let me hear as soon as possible
low you're getting on. My respects
md sympathy to Mrs. Mullin. Good
lay. Please send Merrill and Sanders
o me as you go out
"Yiz, sorr Thank ZEE, SORT"
The opened door let in mighty
\ of iron thunder which was muf-
ID, xhoked and silenced in the heavy
losing swing; but Kennard, absorbed
n his work. took no note of Merrills
nd Sanders presence until he saw tse
wo clerks standing besire him. Then
le instantly ceased writing,and pulling
sheet of paper from drawer of the
esk. addressed the elder man.
Mr. Merrill as | figure it, we have
II .275 to meet tomorrow"
Yes. sir"
"Don't You think we'd better have
en- thousand from the bank thenT
There will be more than enough 10 r
he first morning mail, sir to Z
Yes, / know But Baird is slow, and t
lndlev will nrnbably make some de- s