Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-10-28

snpaked In here to talk to her: thntg
what you did. Now, you keep away
from her after this. tell you. Don't
you come neur her or I'll break vou
In two"
O1eary looked the larger man up
ynd down with fine Irish scorn.
Break me In two" he sneered. III
you was to break me in two either
piece Of me would get up and knock
your block of. tell you, II you ever
lay hand on me III Kill you"
In wild fury Smith rushed YIN.
steadily. O'Leary landed once, stag.
gering the big man. and then Lucy
rushed IN between them.
:Iather. Joe. Don't" she begged.
"You'll both he discharged"
The Earring, staggering blow had
Knocked little of the fght ont Of tho
bully. He still had sense enough 70
know that In an even battle his younr.
strong assistant would have good
chance. and. like most bu,llrs, be
didn't care for even battles. The plea
OF Lucy give him II chance to change
the direction Of his anger.
"Dschnrgcdw he yelled. who'll
discharge me: | can clean out tho
whole works. md r.
He was lurching about the ofi,ce,
swinging his arms wildly IN time to
his drunken threats. when the street
door opened and pinckncy came In
hastily. In II moment the manager
say TINT something was wrong
whats the meaning Of thisy" he
demnnded sharply. stepping forward
Again the current of Smiths rare
had found an object to dash against.
All sense Of discipline and feur OF
Consequences was gone from him.
Then. besides. down In his heart to
knew tint Pinckney needed him mud
Uonld scarcely dare to discharge him
at this time. Instead OF replying he
heaved himself over until be stood face
to face with the general manager.
DO you think I'm afraid of your?
he demanded drunkenly.
rinckney paid no attention to him,
but turned und pressed the bell When
he spoke It WINS TO the assistant
What are you doing here, O'Learye"
Nothing, Sir"
Then get TO work." ordered Pinck.
ney sharply.
OIcary hrsitntcd
Il can't leave Lucy With him." be
said. Jerking his head toward Smith.
Pinckney nodded.
II understand, but that's all right.
You go buck to work. III look after
her"
Yes. Joe. please 80 when he tells
you" urged Lucy.
OLeary nodded.
"All right; IN going" he said. lie
reached the door. then turned and
spoke threnteningly TO the drunken
foreman, See here. Smith, II you
touch that girl I'll kill you. and don't
you forget It,.
Before Lncy's father could reply he
turned and slammed the door after
him.
with his hand appraised. but Pinckney
stepped In front OF him.
Here. here. Smith" commanded the
manager sharply. you've got no time
for fooling. Remember. | put you In
charge of the Sonmers gun"
| Smith Strengthened and leered with
a drunken assumption of sarcasm.
What If you did? Amt 1t being
| done to suit you;'
OF course 1t Is / haven't complain.
| ed, have ~
The foreman thrust his own face
against that of the general manager
You'd better not complain" he
sneered thrcateningly. Il guess |
know what's wanted of me-"
Pinckney nodded
I'm sure you do, Smith," be snid
blandly. II have every confidence IN
you: now 60 and look cut for that gun.
and, remember. until that Jobs out OF
the way you're boss. Don't let any.
body interfere with you"
The foreman shook one Of his biz
arms.
IF any one interferes with me you
know what they'll get" he roared
You can bet your life on that and
one Of them is goin. to get 1t quick"
Still muttering threats, he turned md
staggered out of the works. Pinckncy
looked sharply at Lucy.
You 80 home and stay there" he
said.
The girl hesitnted. Cenr Of what
might happen with her father drunk
and In charge of such important work
gave her unusual courage.
Excuse me. Mr.. rinckney, but
father isn't himself. Do you think {
safe to have him In charge tonight"
The manager frowned so savasely
that Lucy trembled.
"Oh. that's what brought you here,
was it: You came over to manage
the works. did you?" he sneered.
II was afraid-that gun repeated
the girl.
Pinckney broke in on her savagely.
well. the next time you keep your
fears home. When need you TO look
out eor the works here I'll send for
you. Now get out"
He turned from the frightened girl
to the office boy. who at last had an
swered his ring.
send Marsh to my private office"
And without another look at the
frightened girl the manager STROBE
lnto his private Office and slammed
the door Lucy. crushed and beaten,
fearful that she had only made mat
tiers worse by coming. was hurrying
out when the door from the works