The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-28

JOO be coming to him."
 Pinckney shook his head.
 "No, that won't do, Smith," he com manded sharply.
 Out in the works where he was practically boss the foreman could not be so easily controlled.
 "Oh, it won't do, won't it?" he yell ed. 'I'll show you whether it'll do or not"
 He doubled up one of his big fists. shaking it menacingy. And now Pinckney let him rage without check.
 A daring idea had come to the des- perate schemer. Perhaps, after all, if Smith attacked Sommers it might not He would suffer; no one else. At aps 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. It only needed the presence of Sommers and a little proyocation to start real trouble.
  , Thinks he's fighter. does he?" hc roared. Let him come in here-PIl show him who's a fighter. 1 don't have to treat him well. don't have to treat you well, Pinckney. l don't have to treat any body we'll. Pm inde- 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."
 "1 know Pm drunk" roared the fore man. But Pm the best man in the outfit, drunk or sober. Just let that navy duck show up.''
 Inside P1nckney was smiling, well pleased, but he kept a straight, stern face.
 q know you're the best man, Smith," he confessed. But why do you want to fight with .me?"
 Who's fighting with your' buster ed the bully. 'There wouldn't be enough of you to carry away if l was fighting 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"
 eHe tried to get my job," roared the foreman. Try to take an honest mans living away from him? I'll show him."
 He turned to the. workman near the furnace. yelling, "Here, take that Som- mers gun." ss,
 Pinckney caught the foreman by the arm.
 .tWait 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 and glare of the furnaces as he passed.
 Smith Iurched out 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 foreman's condition.
 'How soon do you take the gun out, Smith ?" he asked.
 The foreman Iurched up, thrusting his face close to the officers.
 s''None of your business" he retort- ed. q take it out when I 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 be had the foreman's protruding jaw measured for his right hand, and Pinckney's voice checked him. T say, Sommers, come here, please, l will you?" The naval man turned without a word and walked over to the general manager. Perhaps you can explain this, MT. Pinckney?" he demanded sternly. Pinckney smiled apologetically.
 'fI hope you won't mind Smith. You can see he's been drinking"
 The officers eyes narrowed. The 1 fighting look was still on his face.
 "And that's the kind of man you allow to be in charge of important work?'' he deman anded. Pinckney was still apologetic. Tt doesn't often happen, Pm glad to say," he explained. "But Smith is a |