Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-01-04
THE WATCHMAN AT MORTONS MILLS


NOW Parsons" said the master Of
/ Morton's mills to his superintendent, this
| matter of a Waterman Is a very serious
| one. / am sick and tired Of this watch
man business. Is it possible to get u
really reliable mani"
MIR. Norton said Parsons II have
outside now i'm the reception room man
who will, l believe, fill the bill. Look at
his recommendations
"Oh. recommendation don't go any
more. They all have them"
"Well look at his, Mr. Morton"
"Oho," said Morton, as he glanced over
the letter This is from my old friend
Johnston, who recently closed his factory
and retired from business. 1t certainly
does recommend this man John McGrath
most highly lie was in their employment
for eight years. ASK him to walk in"
why looking, red haired little Irish
man. not over five feet six in height. en-
tered the mill owners office and stood like
a soldier, at attention.
Morton cast quick but comprehensive
glance at him. and asked him to be seat
ed. you are John McGruth?'
yes, sir"
How oldr'
Forty five"
Him." said Morton pensivclv "Nlar-
ried or sngle?"
Married, sir, about a year have
q fine little boy, month old; but the
wife is aiing something bad. sir. and"
yes, yes, that's IT," broke in the mill
owned impulsiVely Always the way,
There's always something, Now see here.
McGrath! I've had eight watchmen-o
is It nine Parsous?- in the last two
years Two were dishonest; two drank
one or two were neglcctful: one always
had a sick wife or child one WIS bcatau--
poor fellow!-and nearly killed by that
Mysterious gang. I have been the sufferer
all along Last month alone we were rob
bed of over $4,000 worth of merchandise
Now, you. McGrath, how are you going
to do the work any better for me" You
were with my old friend Mr. Johnston for
eight veal s. That means a great deal
Of course; hut what guaranty have ! Of
you being any better than the others?"
During this explosive TRADE from Nor
ton, McGrath with just the suspicion Of
smile upon his humorous face had
listened attontively. well, sir" said he
I'm a little man; l saw you take that i'm
when | entered the room But that las
never stopped me I'm 45 years Old: but
that shouldn't stop mo. I've got me hon
orablc discharge from mo regiment. sir"
and hc handed over for inspection his
papers received from a famous regiment
with which men of his race have been
identified for years
AN this is very good very good. Me
Grlth. Hdt YOU watchmcu AN have some
excuse FOR shirkirg suddenly Mind !
don't wish to be personal Nov. you hay.
"a mouth-old child and a sick wife"
sure, yes, ! have that God bless
them" said McGrath
what have l To 20 on9 You know Nv.
been robbed, clscled and cheated.
through the dishonesty. cowardl.e ana
slothfuln"ss Of my watchmon. What
guaranty I repeat can you give that YOU
will do your work well? What win pre-
vent Your leaving me In what may prove
my hour Of necd?"
McGrath rose from where he SAT. adj
vancod step or two. and said. Ne
wurrd. sir. Is an l can give yc."
"McGoth," sail Morton. after a mo-
ment's reflection, you may 20 on duty
tonight"
The superintendent escorted forthwith
the new Waterman to the beat which ne
was to take up later; that Is. from .
IN. until 6 a. m.
He was shown the little Office ana given
key to it, the Office In the mill I'm
which telephone messages could Ice sent
and received, If necessary. all night In
short. his routine was mapped ont and
thoroughly explained.
II was o murKy. cloudy night when the
new Waterman went on duty at the mills.
which were situated in lonely quarter
OF the town There was a definite and
professional air about the little man us
he carefully patroled his beat
All went well until about 10 O'Clock.
when he noticed a man skulkiug on the
opposite side OF the street McGIath OBJ
served him quietly but went on steadily
in his mcnotonous routine looking for
ward. nevertheless. To IA. morning hour
when he could again BE- with his sick wifi.
and his baby
sharp ring came ON the ts..rh,ns I'm
the little room iu the mill N.srIt. rr-
locked the door. entered and t.uk down
the receiver
is this YOU. McGmtho This Is Father
Kelly calling you UP. ! am here. also th,
doctor. The wife is sinking 1t came ON
suddenly John. Don't worry. my Ioor
man; but try TO got here at once Your
duty OF course ! snow Get Your boss
or the superintendent on the phone. ANA
get them to send some one to the min
in your place. Therell be time %,,v
mind bear up, my. boy bear up and h.
the same man I've always known Won To
be 80" W
McGrath hung up the receiver Some
thlng overwhelming whispered 10 him
Go go! This is paramount Go go
now. This outmeasures all else
lie shook himself as one would shake
OF an oppressive dream. and strobe nm
to the telephone. GIVE me "a GRAY "
said he Il want Mr. Morton. Gone ont
YOU say? You don't know where. pnd
YOU don't know when he'll be back9 For
the love Of God get him at the earliest
minute Tell him McGaths wife is DIV
ing and that he wants to be relieved AZ
once" ''
McGrath then tried to find the superin-
tendent of the mills on the telephope.
but he had gone out OF town for the night
turning out the electric lights. and
iocHins the door, McGrath went on his
beat again. '''
once more that tempting whisper came
10 MN Now II grew until IT became a
the home. ''' VI
My wurrd my duty" he muttered
between clcnched teeth
Home home, home!" It kept shouting