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

, smith. broad, brutal, savage from
drink. aimed n blow at his assistant.
You will interferer he shouted.
You think you're better man thnn
am! III show you! III let ron know
who's the boss Of this here 3ob."
OLesry lodged the blow and Jump-
ed out Of the way on tho foreman
rushed Again the fofemna came at
HIM, hot the assistant grabbed an iron
bar ana stood rendy.
Yen take another step md III brain
you" he yelled above the roar nnd the
cnng OF the toiling hammers. You're
drunk, and we're saving -FOUR job TOR
YOU. Now you tend TO II or III smash
fotr head clean In
Smith stopped. grimbllng. He knew
Of@ary was the strongest. coolest
young felIuw about the works. A night
with bin sober would have been scrl-
ms. and drunk the foreman knew he
would not stand q chance. He stepped
back.
I'm tending to my job. O'Ieary." he
complained. half maudlin. There
/ amt no call for you acting TINT way
You're trying to get my job, that's
what. I'm doing rirht--just what !
wns told. Now. you let me alone"
Sure. Osleary. lot him alone" urged
the other men. Hell come round.
and wen get the gun out on time"
before more could he suid an Office
boy appeared. coming from the front
office.
"rbcy 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 enn. was drunk
on the Job, and his wife, fearing some-
thing might happen. bad sent the girl
over to beg OLeary to nke care Of
him.
'Sure. Lucy. that's all right. OF
course OLeury will DO It for YOU" the
good nntured stenographer encouraged.
"Tll just get out and give you chance
at him when he comes. When are you
going to get married. anyhow"
Lucy blushed and hcsitated.
II don't know exactly" she said
We haven't talked much about It,"
Maize O'Brien smiled.
We'll. It's about time you're getting
busy with that line OF conversation. |
think. Don't do to trust any Of these
steel hands. Two weeks Is long enough
for any girl to be engaged. I'll get
out now aud leave you alone" she
ended as O'Leary. establishment and
worry showing on his begrimed face.
entered the office.
Whats the matter. Lucy:" he asked
anxiously.
The girl turned to him with eager
ness
IT'S about father. Is be very bad ?"
The man hesitated.
well. he's got few drinks IN" be
confessed at last. But there hasn't
been much trouble UP to date"
Hes pretty ugly. amt he?" asked
the girl.
OLeary laughed grimly.
"You know what your dad is when
: he's drunk. Lucy. He's tried TO pick
one or two scraps tonight. but the men
nre keeping away from him. Ill do
; my best to keep down trouble. you
know that Lucy"
The girl nodded.
Yes. l know. Joe. you're mighty
good" she said. but IL anything hap
pens tonight you know he'll lose bis
Job sure. I'm awful afraid, and moth
er's worse than am. SO l just came
over to get you to look out for him
Is he doing his work all right?"
OLeary shook his head regretfnly.
That's what bothers me-" he con
; fesscd THE Sommers gun g been it
the IRE too long now. II it don't come
t out Of the furnace soon the gun II bt
! no good ut all"
The girl made a hopeless gesture.
What do you think Of that" she
complained. And he's the best mar
over here when he's sober. Can't yol
! do anything. Joe?"
!, II am doing all l cam" he urged. n!
Q though In justification. but II tina
!. gun s put in the oil bath after bein:
! too long IN the fire the tempcring will
0 bc bad"
= Lucy wrung her bands despairingly.
n Lets get MIR. Marsh" she begged
e "Mr. Pinckney Amt here. hut Mr.
= Marsh can take dad off the Job ant
v keep him from running everything
Sommers is such nice man. too. ant
n Miss Frances likes him. Oh. wha
e are we going to do. Joe?"
n O'Leary looked ut her blankly. Thu
4 situation was too much for him Il
9 manage.
g "Marsh's acting funny. too" ne com
planned. he must know how Smith
6 IS. but he keeps away and don't sa!
,, nothing to him. Guess he's afraid"
!, Maybe could go In and beg him
h Couldn't ] do that. JoeT' pleaded tn
: girl.
$ She turned and started for the doc
= which led into the works. but befor
she could reach 1t the door was push
v ed open and Smith. drunken and NOR
y enraged thnn ever, lurched into tn
). Office. At sight Of Lucy and O'Lear.
e together he Strengthened up. caugh
J. hold of the door a moment for sup
It port. then burst on them with a tor
n rent Of anger.
y What nre you doing here?" he roar
d ed. why did you come In this OF
h Ace. Lucy? What business you 20
here. OLeary? Amt ! seeing 20,
i banging around my house enoug
s without getting that girl In the Office?