The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-08-04


though it's Known As assistant hl~ ?
Uors man. Say, bit that's good hlusr,
Iosh! Funny such a good hand at
buying it don't have no real taste ter
ii. And since you press me so cor
siai. Josh. I guess III tale one more
teaspoonful."
lie poured out another deep drins,
and. guiped it dcwn with here
howl" and a shuddering exhalation Of
breath like a man in bitter-eo-d
wind Then he rubbcd his hands to-
sethsr. struck a match on his tFouser
lee. started to relieht his cigar, but
burst OFT laughing as he noted Har-
lan's bored and coptemptuous glance.
eSay. what's the matter with YOU,
JOSH" he exclaimed. You're as huffy
as hell. and look as glum as Dolan's
scat when she swallered the tin-can
cross9ays. Take drink. Have one
on Hle, and stop chewing the rag for
Eve minutes anyhow. Gosh, but you
do look sIlly!"
McMannis broke into another spasm
OF nerriment, quoted down, wiped his
ewes. and then gIsncing at Mr.. Har-
Iaa.s solemn. unmoved countenanee,
burst forth again into peal upon peal
Of laughter. until the tears ran down
his face and he had to seat himself
for very weakness.
"What is the-er-the chief of walk
frg delegates expected to do?"
s The question was asked contemptu-
ously and with weary indifference, but
MeAEannis in his social mood Welcomed
it eagerly.
What does he do?" he responded,
PECULIARLY. What won't he do wheu
I'm 1t? That's the question to as.
Josh Harlan. I've been waiting for
a chance like this for years, and nov
i've got it, I'll work it, you bet. Sa7,
Dc you know how many m n's--how
many men there are in our associs-
tion?"
Mr.. Harlan shook his head
well. I'll tell you" MeMannis drew
his chair closer to his host and leaned
forward confdentially, pouring out ar
other drink of whisky as he talked
'Thersh-theres more than $4,000 in
il. and not more than ten or dozen
ahead of me. Now d. We see where
I'm at? Maybe you think the organ
ization won't take care of me now?
Maybe | won't control a bunch of votes
worth having, and maybe I don't know
the market value of 'em. neither.
they thought they'd stall me at Phil
adelphia for up the state-but not
much! New York eity's my mound,
and I'm here to stay
He paused to swallow another
drink, and then proceeded in an uelier
tone, mis- language coarsening as his
tongue loosened.
."Yes. and I'm goin' to make some
Of these companies set up and count.
Sou bet. Oh. see you staring at me.
but your old milling company IS all
right. That's what comes of having .
FREUD at court. Josh, for bet you're
as rotten as punk But say, to see you
sittin' over there" McMannis straight
ened himself and mimicked his host 8
manner with a drunken leer, one
would never think you could touch
anything tougher than a cushion.
But know you. you old wood-faced
mut-you're as sly as they make EN-
and are dom two tricks day. bet
wish knew a few of them. Damned
If | wouldn't come and pay up SOS
could give you away and see you
squirm!"
McMannis paused to laugh at this
picture, pointing at Mr.. Harlan and
rocking himself to and fro in an &C.
stacy of mirth, which ended in
knuckling of his eyes and a long blast
on his handkerchief.
well, WELL" he painted at last,
you've stood by me some, Josh, whiie
others have done me dirt, and | don
guess I'll forget anybody. I've, been
walked on enough to see there's moth
in in playin carpet, and now I'm goin
to try a few steps myself S-shay-
say. but I've been trod ON so long, IT
seems kinder natural to lie down when
anybody gets in my way. Just De-
fore | went to Philadelphia | was act
ing delegate in the out-of-town dis
trict. and got orders to look up a fel-
low who keeps one of those model fac
tories on the river 1t was way on
down the Hudson, SO telephoned him
was coming, but never got no an
swer, and when ! got there the guy
wouldn't see me and | actually
vamoosed Say. but you oughter heard
the way the fellows horsed me about
that! The idea of delegate lettin
himself be turned down got them.
But that comes Of settin' used to bein'
pavement. Next time | call, my birdll
see me all right, all right. And ! call
soon! won't do a thing but roast
him, you bet! Kennard's his name
ever heard of him? Say. did tell YOU
what | was workin' to get from the
organization?" he ratified on. We'll,
I'm layin' to have friend Of mine
appointed factory inspector, and If
do. the rake-off won't be thing to
what can pick up on the side. Those
fellows has the power to file papers