The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1908-07-03

I'D M ASA IAN P4A ~
the machine shop, which vas the near
est building. And this they were to
learn was the story Of the camp: Ac-
complishment, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
thing sacrificed to accomplishment!
There was no recess from industry
when they entered the shed-like build
Ing, and go where they would they
saw nothing but men working like
mad, who merely looked up from their
occupations, saluted, and then resumed
their tasks as though the president OF
the United States and his most emil
nent advisers were not of sufficient inn
p%ortance to excuse delay. Here was .
little army of men, expert in their sew
eral lines, comprehending the neces-
sity for haste, and imbued with only
one idea: That their efforts were for
their country. Soldiers were they who
in other times would have shut their
jaws and grimly stormed through shot
and shell; but were now doing no'less
valiant acts when with every turn of
a wheel or every blow of a hammer
they threw mind, muscle and heart
into the appearing Of the nations de-
Tense.
The president in q reverie found
himself contemplating them. Here, he
thought, was the personification of
that anomaly the American working
man: Outlines turbulent, frequently
dissatisfied, sometimes waging .
fare with employer and capital and
cursing political parties; but when
country and home were endangered,
courageous as a lion guarding whelps,
reckless of life, and %unheeding wounds.
plunging to the front in a frenzy, and
asking no reward save the satisfaction
of selling the invader by the throat
and throttling him to the death. God
save the enemy who underestimates
the temper and patriotism OF the
American workmen!" he muttered as
he returned to the long motionless
line of radioplanes.
The ray of light, broad, steady and
clear, was still there, and as the visi-
tors entered its borders the quick.
sharp blast of a whistle in the rear, as
IL Oy pICCOuCCIL 6A6A0AS NouoSN SNSAy
wheel to come to an abrupt stop.
From the buildings and quarters men
came running to the scene and sur
rounded the guests, who were grouped
together in the fan Of white and i'm
mediately in front Of the monster
which had given them passage. That
they were not to depart without some
further attention was obvious. "old
BilY Roberts made the meaning OF
the call plain when he addressed his
friend in the old term Of intimacy.
"Paul, we have left to you the honor
Of christening the first radi0plane ever
built. She isn't named yet. The boys
here wanted to call her the Roberts;
but I forbade them. I guess you know
who I wanted to call her AFTER" he
said, laying his hand on the prest-
dents arm and looking up into his
face; but then l wasn't sure you
would like that, SO we have compro-
missed by leaving 1t to you"
The president had in his hand q
piece of carpenters chalk which he
had idly picked up from one Of the
floors he had traversed. He stood
turning it over between his long rough
fingers which bore evidences of hard
physical labor In early youth. and
looked affectionately down into the in
ventor's eyes. He turned from him
and looked at those around him. In
the edges of the light and stretching
back into the darkness behind he could
discern the faces Of the workmen, the
reflection giving them a singularly
pallid look and making them seem like
visages dismembered, their bodies BE-
ing absorbed into the blackness OF tho
background. They expected a speech;
but he felt a paucity of words when he
thought Of their endeavors and
achievements. He started to address
them, but choked with the fullness Ut
his heart. Without such work as they
had given, what would be the condi-
ton of the nation tonight? .
Men," he said, using the strongest
Of applications, nc words Of mine can
add to the. honors you merit, nor. de-
tract from what you have done. Duty
we'll performed requires nc praise;
but as president of the United States
l thank you. l am the one who ID
honored in being privileged to call you
countrymen."
He faltered. and in the strong light
upon him they could see the muscles
Of his face twitching with repression.
He turned from them as If to hide his
emotion, and took a few steps which
brought him to the side of the radio
plane. His long arm reached out, and
slowly and in silence he chalked upon
It's metal side in big white letters,
NORMA.
The men Of the plant stood quietly
until the significance of his act
dawned upon them, and then burst
into a frenzy Of cheers, forgot the Dig
nifty Of his position, and crowded
round him, talking as mar to man.
Norma tried to make her protests
heard; but they were u~nayailing. The
men were elated, and her father was
I satisfied.
With little delay the party boarded
the craft, the president being the last
to say good-by. The big metal door