The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-21

who has worked for us knows that we
don't play favorites. Every fellow
knows that he'll be treated fair so long
as he does his work. Eut this l want
to say: Well stick to those who stick
by us. We shan't forget our friends.
And this Is our proposition: To the men
who Will volunteer to help us get this
barge atloat. we will pay 81 day-in-
stead OF $3, as you're getting now
when we float her and get our money.
II we fail. you get nothing, and 80 do
we. If we win. you win. We can float
her II the weather holds good. What
I'm asking Is that you share our
chances. It's up to you. What do you
say?"
Bradley stopped and put his hands
In his pockets. The men shufied their
feet and looked at each other. One or
two OF them whispered behind their
hands. Then Barney Small snatched
his rusty CLOTH cap from his head, toss
ed it to the deck and jumped upon it
with both feet.
Stage Is ready for Orham, South
Orham. West Harnss and Setuckit
P'intw he shouted "Git aboard!
Come on, you lubbers. Have me and
Brad and Cap'n Ez got to work her
off alone?"
Alvin Bearse struck the eX-stage
driver resounding thump in the back
"You bet you amt" he cried. "I'm
inw
"Me. too!' said Ira Sparrow.
present and accounted for" OBJ
served Bill Taylor. Ellis simply nod
ded and stepped forward. Others join
ed them by twOs and threes.
Then Peleg Myrick sauntered to the
front. II dunno's l jest understand
what the boss wants." he drawled.
but II there's anything me and Skee-
zicks can do, why
That settled It, There was cheer,
and the men began pushing each other
out OF the way to join the volunteers
III few minutes there were only five
who had not come forward.
And after that came work, work.
work. The men were organized into
day and night gangs. Bradley COM
manded the former. Captain Titcomb
the latter.
The partners hired the You and l to
do what she could Of the work the
Diving Belle had been engaged In. The
hck Of the schooner was a great handi-
cap. but they had no funds with which
tn hire large vessel.
TEey made their Headquarters
aboard the barge now. Bradley did
not go up to Orham ut ALL When his
days work was over he ate hasty
supper and tumbled into berth III
the skipper's cabin, sometimes to
sleep. but more often to lie awake and
plan for the morrow. He was still
pale and weak from the effects OF the
llow Oh the head. but he would not
take Ii easy. rs the captain begged.
Tie worry and strain Of the labor
were in sense reiefs to him-they
kept him from thinking OF other things.
Each morning the old maids tele-
phoned to the station to learn how he
felt and how the work was progress
ing. Bradley gathered from Miss Pris-
sy's anxious remarks that in the vii
la%e the partners failure was regard
ed us fogegone conclusion. The news
made him OILY more determined to
succeed.
Cook & Sons wired daily. and every
afternoon n report was sent To them.
These reports were growing more op-
timistic. Tie barge was eating her
way steadily through the shoal, AMI
as she was lightened she moved faster
They watched the cables as cat
watches II rat hole. keeping them al
ways tight. The captain said: BRAD,
II J didn't know what was the matter
/ should b'lievc my old Sunday school
teacher was right. He always swore
I'd he hung some day. and now all
can dream about is ropes"
ro RE C''NTINUEN.I