Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-14
CHAPTER VII.
The Forming of the Big Gun.


Smith, the foreman in charge Of the
Sommers gun, was raging drunk.
He lurched up and down in front OF
the furnaces, cursing the men, driving
them here and there, making all man
ner of confusion, apparently without
reason. O'Leary, his assistant, had
done his best to quiet the half crazed
foreman. O'Leary and every man on
the job knew that the Sommers gun
was in grave danger Of being ruined.
It had been scheduled to go into the
furnace at 2 o'clock, but Smith shortly
after noon had lurched in, called his
men together and showed the gun into
the furnace three hours ahead Of time.
Now it was nearly midnight, and un-
less the gun came out shortly every
man knew that it would be completely
ruined. 1t must come out, be brought
to the proper temperature and then
thrust into the temperins bath-a thou
sand gallons Of oil.
The last time Smith had been In
charge of the job he had put gun
into the bath at too high tempera-
ture and 1t had burst at the proving
ground. Smith on that occasion had
been laid off and had not been brought
back to work until the casting of the
Sommers gun. Then Pinckney had sent
for him and, after a long talk in his
private office, had placed the disgrace
ed foreman in complete charge OF this
new and very important piece Of work.
At the casting Of the Rhinestrom gun
Pinckney himself had taken complete
charge, staying in the furnace room
until all the work was finished. and
the marked difference in the handling
Of the two jobs had not escaped some
of the shrewder workmen.
Looks like they don't care a hang
whether this one goes or not" O'Lea-
~, the assistant foreman, had COM
planned. Its plain toolishness, put-
ting Smith on the job. It'll just get
him in trouble and won't do any good.
That guns bound to be failure II we
amt careful"
The men had taken O'Leary's view
Of the matter and were doing all they
could to make this job a success.
Sommers during his stay about the
works had become tremendously popu-
lar. They wanted to do their best for
him; also o'Leary expected in the fall
to marry Lucy Smith. the foremans
daughter, and therefore he had an in
terest in putting the job through right.
Sommers was to come down about
1.30 in the morning, when the gun was
expected to go into the tempering bath.
That was the important work, and he
was determined, to superintend It.
However, with Smith putting the gun
in three hours ahead Of time there
seemed every chance that unless Som
mers should be warned Of the change
the gun would be in the bath and ev-
erything Of importance over before the
navy man should arrive.
In vain O'Leary pleaded with Smith
to do something about the gun.
Its been in too long already,
Smith," he urged. DO you want to
ruin this job? Who'll take care Of
you when you ruin another gun?
You'll be down and out for good"
The foreman, swaying from side to
side, looked at his assistant with a
drunken leer.
Who'll take care Of me?" he sneer-
ed Don't you worry about who'll
take care of me. I'm the best man
about these works drunk or sober, and
don't you forget It,"
OLeary could not be put off.
Then If you're the best man show
it?" he shouted. Show it by tending
to businessl That gun II be ruined in
no time!"
Smith, broad, brutal, savage from
drink, aimed a blow at his assistant.
You will interfere!" he shouted.
You think you're better man than
L am! I'll show you! I'll let you know
who's the boss Of this here job"
O'Leary lodged the blow and jump
ed out Of the way as the foreman
rushed Again the foreman came at
him, but the assistant grabbed an iron
bar and stood ready.
You take another step and I'll brain
you!" he yelled above the roar and the
clang of the toiling hammers. You're
drunk, and we're saving your job for
you. Now you tend to it or I'll smash
your head clean in"
Smith, stopped grumbling. He knew
O'Leary was the strongest, coolest
young fellow about the works. A fight
with him sober would have been seri-
Gus, and drunk the foreman knew he
would not stand a chance. He stepped
back
I'm tending to my job, o'Leary," he
complained, half maudlin. There
amt no call for you acting that way.
You're trying to get my job, that's
what. I'm doing right-just what /
was told. Now. you let me alone"
Sure, O'Leary, let him alone" urged
lle QUIET HiCh. 11S IL SohAS AN--N
and we'll get the gun out on time"
Before more could be said an office
boy appeared, coming from the front
office.
They want you in the office,
O'Leary. Hustle up" he said; Its i'm
portant."
Out in the Office Lucy Smith was ex-
planning vigorously to the stenogra-
pher, Maize O'Brien, that Smith, in
charge of the Sommers gun, was drunk
on the job, and his wife, fearing some
thing might happen, had sent the girl
over to beg O'Leary to take care Of
him.
Sure, Lucy. that's all right. OF
course O'Leary will do it for you," the
good natured stenographer encouraged.
I'll just get out and give you chance
at him when he comes. When are you
going to get married, anyhow"
Lucy blushed and hesitated.
II don't know exactly" she said.
I'VE haven't talked much about it."
Maize O'Brien smiled.
We'll, it's about time you're getting
l,,,,, with that line of conyersa tiOO I