The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1909-12-02

talking to your
"Joe's all right, father" the girl
urged. "He don't want you to make
no mistake with the Sommers gun.
that's ALL"
The drunken foreman turned on his
assistant with fury.
"Oh. you don't. don't your Look
here, you keep that mug Of yours out
OF my affairs or ~, break 1t. 30 you
hearf'
But Joe O'Leary did not come Of the
race that could be bluned As Smith
lurched toward him the assistant
strsiChtened into position Of de.
fensV. waiting for him.
Don't waste your breath trying TO
scare me Smith," he shouted. You'd
better be getting that gun out of the
fire before it Spuils."
The sudden opposition sobered the
drunken man for moment
81 got a fine assistant amt IT. he
sneered. Trying to tell me my bust
ness. know what you're up to. You
sneaked in here to talk to her; that's
what you did. Now. you keep away
from her after this. tell you Don't
! you come near her or I'll break you
in two"
OLeary looked the larger man up
! and down with fine Irish scorn.
Break me in two he sneered IF
| you was TO break me in two either
piece of me would get up and knock
your block of. | tell you. II you ever
lay hand on me I'll kill you"
In wild fury Smith rushed un.
steadily. O'LeHry landed once. stag.
gering the big man. and then Lucy
rushed In between them.
Father! Joe! DON'T" she begged.
You'll both be discharged"
The jarring. staggering blow had
Knocked little of the fight out Of the
bully. He still had sense enough TO
know that In an even battle his young.
strong assistant would have good
chance, and, like most bullies, he
didn't care for even battles. The plea
OF Lucy gave him chance to change
the direction of his anger.
Discharged he yelled. who'll
discharge me? ! can clean out the
Wnole works, ana -
He was lurching about the office,
swinging his arms wildly In time to
his drunken threats. when the street
door opened and Plnckney came In
hastily. In II moment the manager
saw that something was wrong.
what's the meaning of this?" he
demanded sharply, stepping forward.
Again the current of Smiths rage
had found an object to dash against.
All sense of discipline and fear of
consequences was gone from him.
Then. besides, down In his heart he
knew that Pinckney needed him and
would scarcely dare to discharge him
at this time. Instead of replying he
heaved himself over until he stood face
to face with the general manager.
DO you think I'm afraid Of your" |
he demanded drunkenly.
Pinckney paid no attention to him |
but turned and pressed the bell When |
he spoke it was to the assistant.
What are you doing here, O'Leary ?" !
Nothing, sir"
Then get TO work." ordered Pinck-
ney sharply.
O'Leary hesltated.
81 can't leave Lucy with him." he
said, jerking his head toward Smith
Pinckney nodded.
II understand, but that's all right.
You go back to work. III look after
her"
"Yes, Joe, please go when he tells
you,' urged Lucy.
O'Leary nodded.
"All right; I'm going" he said. He
reached the door, then turned and
spoke threateningly to the drunken
foreman, See here, Smith, If you
touch that girl I'll kill you, and don't
you forget it,!
Before Lucy's father could reply he
turned and slammed the door after
him.
Smith whirled, lurched toward Lucy
with his hand upraised but Pinckney
stepped in front of him.
Here. here, Smith" commanded the
manager sharply. You've got no time
Tor fooling. Remember, | put you IN
charge of the Sommers gun"
Smith Strengthened and leered with
drunken assumption of sarcasm.
What II you did? Amt 1t being
done to suit youY
"Of course it is. haven't complain.
ed, have II"
The foreman thrust his own face
against that Of the general manager
You'd better not complaint he
'neered threateningly, II guess |
know what's wanted of me-"
Pinckney nodded.
Pm sure you do, Smith," he said
Dlandly. III have every confidence in
you; now go and look out for that gun,
md, remember. until that Jobs out OF
he way you're boss. Don't let any
body interfere with you"
The foreman shook one of his big
lrms.
III any one interferes with me you
lnow what they'll get" he roared
You can bet your life On that and