The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-03-14
4 Difference
On Dynamite
By ROBERT BARNES.

To Jim Carrigan, the big red-faced
contractor on the railroad cut through
Horseback Ledge, came Padrone An
geio Valente with empty kerosene can
one biting, snowless December morn
ing. How heata dynamita?' asked he,
in tones of despair. 'Oil for stove ali
gene"
Borrow some of Murphy at the east
end. If he hasn't any, try Jenson.
Murphy no gotta more than nough
for self, nor Jenson, neither. l go
to town to buy?''
That meant a wait of at least an
hour, and perhaps good deal longer.
In half-hour twenty-four holes would
be ready for loading. 1t was satur-
day forenoon, and time was precious.
Carrigan picked up an old grain-bag
inIwhich the dulled drills were carried
to be sharpened. From box IN the
squat tool-shanty he took two dozen
eight-inch sticks of dynamite, rolled
in oiled paper, and looking for all
the world like lemon-colored molasses
candy. He dropped them into the sack.
"Take this to the engine house, and
tell Drew to let you put it on the
boiler" he said, with decision.
Valente swung the bag over his
shoulder and scrambled up the ladder.
The survey for the new railroad had
called for a cut one thousand feet long
and eighty deep through solid feldspar.
The general contractors were driving
the work. Three gangs one at each
base OF the ridge and one on the back
bone, were making havoc with steam
and dynamite.
Carrigan's subcontract allotted him
: the centre of the ledge. In his en-
ploy were an engineer, Morrison Drew;
a fireman, Frank Hix; and forty ltal-
ian laborers. Already they had blasted
a pit fifty feet deep. On the brink
stood the boiler house and derrick, and
near by ran temporary track, on
which the ROCK was hauled off as fast
as it was hoisted out The boiler furn-
ished steam to the hosting engine, to
the pump that freed the pit of water,
and to the three drills chugging away
: at the hard feldspaf.
Zero weather made it necessary to-
heat the explosive before it could be
used; and this had been done by a pail
of hot water On an oil stove.
: As the boss" was deciding where to
start his next line of holes. his ears
were greeted by the sound OF excited
talk from the boiler-house. Then down
the ladder came Angelo again, bag on
shoulder.
Here, you, what are you bringing
that dynamite back for?" demanded
Carrigan, angrily.
Engineer tell me no put it on boil,'
er," whimpered Valente.
What" shouted the contractor.
81 Iet me talk to him.
; As fast as his two hundred and twe!1-
t; pounds would permit. he pufed up
: the ladder and stormed into the boiler
house.
whats this | hear?" he beloved
to Drew. small, dark-haired young
man. Did you tell Angelo he couldn't
warm this dynamite on the boiler?"
"yes, I did, replied the engineer.
Didn't he tell you l sent him up
with it?'
yes" returned Drew, but thought
you hadn't considered the matter care
fully enough when you gave him his
orders. I'm not ashamed to say that
I'm afraid of the stuff; and l don't
think you can be any too careful with
it. 1t seems to me that it's good deal
better; to take an hour or so to send a
man to Weston rather than to render
your boiler insurance void and risk the
life Of everybody or the job
Haven't handled dynamite before
you were born, and never had an ac-
cident yet? Put that bag on the boiler,
Angels"
Not while I'm responsible fo- this
machinery Was Drew's firm response.
Tie contractor flushed with anger
WIZ OWuS tulS OuIHt, way " 1io :
hiring these men, and you, too? You
know altogether too much, young man.
to De wasting your time round here
You're discharged; you'll get your pay
check tonight. This plants under you.
control, Hix You can run it all right
cant you?"
Sure" said Hix, briskly. He was
olde: than the engineer, and had al.
ways been little jealous Of him. Car,
rigan snatched the bag from the Ital
ian's hands and laid it On the boiler
I'm send one Of the men up to fire
for xl,'' he said, and flung out Of the
cocr Without another look at Drew.
The discharged engineer stood to:' ;
moment aumbfounded. 1t is not pleas
ant to be thrown oat OF ones position
Just because one has been overfajthfu