The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1909-11-12


say: Who are they?"
He drew out memorandum book and
pencil and frowned absurdly
The girl laughed at his air.
II can only give you their present
names, daddy don't know their aliases
Very well. just remember. that you
are here to speak the truth without fear
or favor. Who is No. ~
mo. is Sherman Treat. He is acting
superintendent of the factory in the place
of Mr.. John Conway, who went to Colo
RADIO for his health last spring
Assistant superintendent. Yes, charac-
teristcs?'
why he is large and strong, and quick
in his speech and ways, and very master
full"
Not bad bill of particulars Habits
81 think they must be. He is considered
very clever young man.
where from?'
"New York. His father was secretary of
the company"
ooh, yes A fine man with aristocratic
connections. I've heard of his boy, He
other LADY"
"His name is John Osborn. He is man
ager of the pattern shop. He is designer
himself, and an inventor, too, ] think
The man nodded.
That's right, They spoke to. me about
him. He has done some useful Things.
They called him valuable lad. Charac-
teristics please?"
'He is rather quiet, and shy, and has
very little to say about himself.
The man looked up.
Somewhat the opposite of No. l, eh">
eyes"
cone thing more, Are the two young
men on good terms?'
ooh, yes. They come here together quite
often"
That's little strange, isn't it"
The girl laughed.
81 fancy that No. thinks he has no OPP
position worth considering and that No.
whether he wins or loses" She merrily
laughed. I'm almost sure that No. l
thinks No. an admirable foil for his own
masterful brilliancy-and perhaps No. is
willing. to play the role in order to come
here oftener."
The man nodded
But you haven't told me about this
Osborn's family. He is a native of the
town."
eyes His father was the first foreman
of the factory. After John graduated
from scientific school he entered the fac
tory and has been climbing ever since. |
think it must be because he works so
hard"
The man put away his book.
''I'm going down to the factory, dear:
Perhaps I'll make the acquaintance of
these interesting young men"
"Shall | take you down, daddy"
mo. Tn going unaccompanled and I'M
'Then I'll come after you with the cleo
trio"
every well, dear. Give me plenty of
time. Good by
Twenty minutes later a grayhaired man,
plainly dressed, tired appearing man
with STOPPING shoulders was ushered into
the anteroom of the office of the assistant
superintendent of the great Acme mill.
morning" said the boy who guarded the
inner door. ''I'll call you when he's ready |
to see YOU
The man nodded and took seat in
dusky corner There were twenty or more
persons waiting twenty persons seemingly |
representing as many grades in life, and
the newcomer found himself busy study
ing them. From time to time the inner
door opened and one of the waiting group
was admitted.
The man might have been there twenty
minutes when the cutter door opened and
a slender young man entered. He was
and carried package of loose
papers in his hand.
As he passed along he CHANGED to notice
the man in the corner. He slackened his
pace and came little nearer. And the
grayhaired man looked up at him and
smiled.
"You are waiting to see Mr.. Treat?'
eyes"
He is busy this morning may have
to wait some time. Come over here by the
window. This is an easier chair
The grayhaired man took the proffered
seat with word of thanks, and the young
man passed into the inner room.
When he came back he was closely
studying one of the papers from his bun
le But he looked down as he passed the
yrayhaired man and stopped. His eyes
took in the plain attire, the gray hair, the
patient face.
pardon me- he softly said, ''but may |
presume that you are looking for employ
nent?"
The man nodded.
YES" he answered.
You are stranger hereE
Il am now" the grayhaired man replied.
when | was quite young / worked in the
I'D factory building That is why | hoped
o find employment here"
The young mans face looked grave.
1--WE have many applications for work,
lie said His face lightened. And you
we're boy in the old factory! that's
inc. My father began here, too. I'd like
o hear about those old times. We think
We have made great advances since the
Acmes early days
mo doubt of that said the older man.
I'm only afraid you have advanced be-
ond me-"
The young man moved toward the door
hen he turned and, coming back, bent
yer.
"Any immediate necessities?" he softly
sked.
The older man looked up at him with a
udden smile.
"Not yet" he answered.
Here is my card" said the younger
ian little huirriedly. Come at any time.
will be glad to see you
He turned and passed through the outer
The man looked at the card and address.
The name was John Osborn.
The man stared at it and slowly nodded. i,
"You NAV be slow and shy, John Os-
orn he murmured "but your heart beats ;