The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-01-11

wide and looking grotcsquo In thoir
rims of iron black
"you don't mean this, Mr. Brayton,"
he gaspod, Il have no means, no no
curlty, not even my college expenses
paid yet Then thcre's"-
'l'vo seen your work." coolly. "and
am ready to lend you tho money until
the LIST OF January, Unless you BRING
tho output 10 u profit by that time,
however, will Try to soil. DO you
want itT
"of course II You're willing
though
"There's tho train whistle" inter.
ruptcd Brayton, rising from his chair
ana starting toward the door "You
may draw on me for tho money as you
need Il up to $4,000, no mere, And
er," as the train curved In sight
around a bill and slowed toward the
platform, remember our compact
There's TO be no correspondence what
ever between you and Helen until YOU
are fully able TO support n Wife"
Longmore watched him board the
train with conflicting emotions, then
went back to the Office.
First he wrote 10 Mr.. Brayton,
Offering him one.half OF the profits aft
or he had brought the furnace 70 a
paying basis, In the meantime Incur
ring all expenses OF running work and
improvements himself That done, he
called tho men and made them nc
quainted with the change.
"Mr. Brayton had arranged for you
TO leave Saturday night" he said. "and
to stop work altogether, However, !
am going 10 run the furnace myself
awhile experimentally but will close
the foundry shall require only tfiy
men, and they must be willing TO work
hard aud accept long hours. We will
begin at daylight instead OF at Z, as va
have been doing, aud Will have one
hour for the noon meal and rest and
then work until dark. but viii pay
you 50 instead OF the Z: you have
been receiving, II Will bc hard work
OF course, but will ask no one e
work any harder than ! do myself
and / will add that do not want ans
except Trustworthy men who VIII dc
as we'll by me when | am absent n'
when | nm with them, Those wbC
feel they can meet these conditions
and are willing to work for me may
step forward
Several Of tho more energetic met
were talking among themselves
Longmore's eyes swept over them ant
over the rest OF the group singllns
out face here and there that h'
thought looked promising, Present.,
ho went among them, with few ear
nest persuasive words here and there
and In the end he hired flfty men VIII
promised 10 work as he desired
Monday morning he and two OF th
men descended into the furnace 4
make some changes. When they cam
out Longmore went to the mine TO Sc
how the work of getting out ore wa
progressing,
As he approached the mouth OF III
mine he listened for the sounds o
work, but could only hear the rcguln
strokes OF single pick. Then as b
turned spur he saw the reason
Three of the men were lying on tn
ground In front Of the opening, appal
entity asleep; two were tossing pebble
at each other, and the rest were lyln
about in various attitudes Of ease.
Got the furnace Job donef' askc
a stalwart young fellow as he ros'
yawning.
"yes. Why are you not at work.
"Got tired an thought we'd rest
spell. Sides, one OF the men lowe
there want much show for our &c
tin paid an that ye had only WIN
ye'd earned as boss. s'posc It's n
right, though lazlly, IAN II ye sa
tits we'll start In ng'in after we lie
spell"
"Yes," quietly, "the money part Is q
right Who Is that working In III
mlneW
"Bllly Brooks" contemptuousl.
"That man II wear out an drop dow
= dead fore he knows, an nobody II !
to blame 'cept himself an mebbe II
man who drives him on to such wor
!. . The fellows crank an don't kno'
: any more'n to do jest what he's toll
= an'"--
" But Longmore had passed on.
Ten minutes later he came bac
;, The men were stretching themselv'
>, preparatory to resumlng work.
: Now you can come to the office ar
:. get your pay" he said briskly. "Thel
- will be less than half day coming
y you, for Brooks says you rested tv
!. hours or more this forenoon and th
! you have been here about two hou
y now. l shall pay you for just the tin
: you work"
: "Oh, we don't want any pay yet
it's all right" answered the your
., . man sullenly. "But It's been thre
=, quarters of q day Folks have to res
- - an If Billy Brooks don't look O.
T" help EIt
. "Stop right there" requested Lon
= more with sudden ring In bis yoic