The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1909-11-03

R &OR ten minutes TlHckuey, sup
pressing his anger and surprise,
managed to talk casually in the
office Then he excused him.
self on the plea of work and, leaving
Sommers. hurried out to see whether
Smith had followed directions.
I'll be out in a few minutes my
SELF said Sommers as the general
manager left. Expect there is plenty
of time. though
"Oh, yes" Pinckney assured him
from the door. There's plenty of
time. Don't hurry. We have our most
responsible man in charge of the job"
Out in the furnace room Pinckney
found Smith moving about in leisurely
fashion. as though he had all the time
in the world ahead of him.
"Have you taken out the Sommers
gun yet" demanded the general man.
ager eagerly.
Smith fiared up.
mo. l can't do everything at once.
What do you think am? Wen get to
it in a few minutes"
"It's got to come out now" declared
Pinckney angrily. "Sommers is here
in the office. He thinks we aren't
able to run this job, and he's come to
see his gun go into the BATH"
The drunken foreman's face con-
vulsed with rage.
| "Oh, he has, has he?" he yelled.
''Well, if he comes bothering around
me you know what he'll get? He'll
get what O'Leary got. That's whatll
be coming to him." a
Pinckney shook his head.
''No. that won't do, Smith," lie COM
handed 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 menacingly. 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
be SO bad. 1t would be up to Smith
He would suffer; no one else. At any
rate, Sommers must not see that gun
60 into the tempering bath. Pinckney
decided to irritate his drunken fore
man q little more.
Better be careful, Smith. Hes 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 1t
only needed the presence of Sommers
and a little provocation to start real
trouble
Thinks he's fighter. does he:' he
roared. Let him come in here-Ill
show him who's Il fighter. | don't
have to treat him well. | don't nave
to treat you well. linckney. / don't
have to treat anybody well. l'm hide
pendent. | am. | don't crawl for no
body"
saith. you're druak." declared The
general manager you're ura..H ,or
you woutua Talk that way"
II knew la drunk. reared tie tore
man. "hu, I'm the best tniln a. HE
outfit. drank or sober. just lei t.Eit
navy du X show up
lnsi,.e lin kney was smiling. We'll
pleased. bat he Kept stral1lt. stern
face
| Il know you're the best man. Smith"
he confessed But why do you want
to fight with me-:
Who's lighting with YOU" buster
ed the buy. There wouldn't he
enough of you to carry away ii was
| fighting with YOU
Pinckray 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 them
He tried to get my job roared the
foreman. TRY to take an honest
mans living away from him: III
show him.
furnace. yelling. Here, take that Son.
mers gun"
Pinckney caught the foreman by the
arm.
wait 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 lurched 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 lurched up. thrusting
I<s1 e., IL