Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-20

PinGkney let him rage without checK.
A daring idea had come TO the des-
perate schemer. Perhaps, after all. IL
Smith attacked Sommers it might not
be so bad. 1t would be up to Smith
He would suffer; no one else. At any
rate, Sommers must not see that gun
go into the tempering bath. Pinckney
decided to irritate his drunken fore
man little more.
Better be careful, Smith. He's in
a position TO make trouble for US all.
He's an officer of the navy, you know;
has right to inspect the work: We've
got to treat him well. Besides, this
Sommers is a pretty bad fighter him
self. He's got an idea he can lick
anybody around these works"
That was enough. Smiths fury was
keyed TO the fighting stage now. 1t
only needed the presence OF Sommers
and a little provocation to start real
trouble.
Thinks he's fighter, does he?" he
roared. Let him come in here-Pll
show him who's a fighter. 1 don't
have TO treat him well. l don't have
to treat you well, Pinckney. L don't
have to treat anybody well. Pm indie
pendent, l am. | don't crawl for no
body"
Smith, you're drunk" declared the
general manager. You're drunk or
you wouldn't talk that way"
Il know I'm drunk" roared the fore
man. But I'm the best man in the
outfit, drunk or sober. Just let that
navy duck show up"
Inside Pinckney was smiling, we'll
pleased, but he kept a straight, stern
face.
II know you're the best man, Smith"
he confessed. But why do you want
to fight with me?''
who's fighting with you?" buster
ed the bully. There wouldn't be
enough of you to carry away If l was
lighting with you"
Pinckney laughed powerfully.
"All right" he said. Now. remem-
Der, Sommers must not see that gun
come out of the furnace. He's sore on
Us, and he'll make bad report on the
job If he gets chance. You know
what would happen to you then"
He tried TO get my job roared the
foreman. Try TO take an honest
ludH > Nv IL away ALOlI hAA1 L "a
show him"
He turned to the workman near the
furnace, yelling, Here, take that Som
merS gun"
Pinckney caught the foreman by the
arm.
wait a minute; wait, Smith," he
commanded. Here's Sommers now"
The naval lieutenant was coming
down the long furnace room, shielding
his eyes from the terrific heat aud
glare Of the furnaces as he passed.
Smith lurched ont to meet him Just
as he stopped in front of the furnace
which held the Sommers gun. One
quick look assured the navy man of
the foremans condition.
How soon do you take the gun out.
Smith" he asked.
The foreman Iurched up. thrusting
his face close to the officers.
None of your business" he retort-
ed. II take it out when 1 get good
and ready. Maybe at one time, and
then again it may be another"
The answer was enough. Every
muscle in Sommers' powerful frame
set for action. Already he had the
foreman's protruding jaw measured
for his right hand, and Pinckney's
voice checked him.
81 say. Sommers, come here. please,
viii you?"
The naval man turned without a
word and walked over to the general
manager.
Perhaps you can explain this. Mr..
Pinckney?" he demanded sternly.
Pinckney smiled alphabetically.
81 hope you won't mind Smith. You
can see he's been drinking"
The officers eyes narrowed. The
fighting look was still on his face.
AND that's the kind of a man you
allow to be in charge of important
work. he demanded.
Pinckney was still apologize.
at doesn't often happen, I'm glad to
say" he explained. But Smith is q
very valuable man, one of the best
I've ever known. I'd hate to lose him.
He is thoroughly competent, even
though he seems drunk. Liquor only
makes him quarrelsome and imperti-
nent 1t doesn't affect his ability as
a workman.
HE was just the man for this job.
That's why 1 put him in charge and
let him stay on even though drunk.
You can depend on it, he'll do the
work all right"
Sommers accepted the explanation
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