The Washington herald., 1907-11-19

into the vast coal and iron combination
known as the Incubus companies. II had
occurred 90 the founder when he mar
ried. 70 Latiaize his name. II only for
his wife's sake. Mrs. Johann IukOb''
had strange new foreign sound. but
Mrs John Incubus proclaimed aloud.
sounded rather like the wife OF a posi-
bic peer.
sin, IL was the money made by Jacob
CORN az the docks OF Tho-sby that had
been utilized 10 develop the discoveries
Of the original Inkob. The iron lay very
deep and the working OF II was ex-
peuslve.
But under bis nephew. Jacob Romer.
little by little everything had taken
shape. He had the great gift Of select
ing suitable instruments. For instance.
he needed James Kahn. because an un-
scrupulous man was a necessity 10 him
Hector McKiu, a leading elder in the
Valley Kirk. was one Of his chief stand
bys. lie had chosen him because Scot
land is land Of piouS people. and Hec-
tor possessed that repute. But Scotland
IS also a country Of uproarious good
cheer. where the bottle circles and where
song and unbounded mirth mock the FRI
gidity of Calvinistic manners
For this reason Walter Grinding was
manager Of No. . Grinding had no use
for prayer meetings. He made not the
faintest pretens ions TO religion. So the
two managers az not in any way in
terfere with each other Hector McEtu
wo- -sed the piety wing OF the business.
and he did il 20 perfection. Walter
Grinding did the like with the social and
hosptable- II does not do. in the most
thriving concern, 10 overman any de-
partment,
In the Incubus pits this division OF
labor did very well on the whole. II
it We're desired 10 get rid OF any man
who was a church member or frequented
prayer meetings, Mr.. Manager Grinding
dismissed him. lie Informed him that
he had been taking up with ranters 70
the neglect Of his own proper business.
II the undesirable and Improbable
servant cared for more OF these things.
then Senior Manager Mckill called him
into his office, sighed. wrestled with him
in the spirit. even prayed with him for
his souls good. charged him with
''carousing," and finally dismissed him
without a character.
And on the whole the men so deal,
with. when they came 10 compare notes.
agreed IN preferring Gr!ndling's rough
We've no use for you here-get out OF
this" 10 the suaver methods OF Hector
McKiU
As Phil Calmont went home that
night, once more out Of a job" though
not without a purpose in the world. he
paused and looked at the dreary mounds
OF refuse and shale spread out every
where, the cOmplexity OF level crossings
and multi-colored railway signals. the
tall stagings of the pits, with swiftly
spinning wheels. whirllng and reversing
as they wound and unwound the end
less steel cords. Phil had the gift OF
imagination. and he could see beneath
him the braes of KirktOwn before all
this came 10 pass-the quiet, old-fashion-
ed-whitewashed hamlet, the seTried rows
OF the corn stocks, the shy questing
BARNS with their mouths stained with
blackberry juice IN the autumn-all now
passed away 10 give place 20 rows on
rows OF brick-bUilt houses, each exactly
the pattern OF all the others. in which lived
the employees" OF the incubus Com
pany-gardenless, pleasureIess. almost
crushed out OF the sight OF heaven by
the vast mounds OF debris which repre-
sented the tailings of the Romer mil
lions.
But beyond these the woods still stood
up untainted all about-except, that is.
ior dingy skirting of pines and larches
struggling about the smelling banks The
lower branches OF these had been burned
brown by the furnace fumes. whereupon
one Of the neighbOTing landlords having
threatened proceedings. Jacob ROmer had
bought up his property, lock. stock. and
barrel This. however, was mere fringe
1t seemed as II the smell Of vernal wood
lands, of the Unwinding croziers Of the
ferns, Of the glades where shy rabbits
played and leaped and pattered, were
able to form a barrier against the en-
crOachments OF the desecrated lower
valley. which at the bidding OF Incubus
& Co. had been given up to smoke and
flame and rubbish heaps.
Day followed day. and always at the
Glebe End Cottage Vida saw Jacob
Romer's horses pass at full speed down
the avenue. the wheels making no noise
over the elastic carpet Of pine needles;
then, with a sudden rasp OF gravel and
the noise OF hoOfs drumming on hard
macadam turning at right angles toward
the Incubus Works In the valley.
These were the days when Vic Morris
disgraced man, was seeking any rest
for the sole Of his foot. and when Jacob
Romer, glad Of an outlet for his natural
faculty for organization. went and came
to Kirktown. sometimes twice in one day
No change has been made in Dick Fin
mans position by the departure OF Vic
Morris. He had, indeed, a greater re-
sponsibility than before. Because, in the
absence Of a regular underground engi-
neer, james Kahn went down every day,
and. so far as pit No. 2 was concerned.
Dick Finnan carried out his orders, or
modified them according 10 his liking.
For though Dick only saw Vic for short
moments and at long intervals. Phil Cal