Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-12-17

by WINCllELL oNiIIi, INLDLNHS
THOMPSON and PAUL ARMSTRONG


was examining O'Leary's wounded
head with almost professional skill.
You've got a bad rap. boy. We
must rush you to the doctor"
He stepped to the door leading into
the works and yelled for two men,
then came back to do what he could.
Pinckney had almost at the same mo-
ment returned from his private office.
What's this?" he exclaimed as he
saw the bloody O'Leary half lying
across an office table.
The workman, injured though he
was, still held to his grim determina-
ton to get justice for Sommers. At
Pinckney's question he half raised
himself on the table.
TITS Smith, sir" he said to the gen.
eral manager. Hes leaving that gun
too long in the furnace. I kicked, and
he hit me when my back was turned.
I'll fix him."
Pinckney looked at the bloody man
coldly.
You ought to have more sense than
to kick" he said. Smiths in charge
of that job. He's responsible. It's
none Of your business. You ought to
have kept your head shut"
O'Leary stared at the manager, too
amazed to retort. He was still half
dazed from the terrific blow he had
received or his suspicious would have
been Immediately aroused. The two
men had entered from the works and
stood ready. They knew just what
to do.
Here" ordered Pinckney, take this
fellow across to the doctor quick. Tell
him it's a works case"
The two men seized O'Leary, picked
him up in their arms and hurried with
him out of the Office.
Marsh turned to the general mana
ger.
We've got to stop this, Mr.. Pinck-
ney," he exclaimed. Smith Is fight
ing drunk"
Pinckney nodded carelessly.
"oh, yes, understand, but I'll see
to Smith. There's something more i'm
portant on now. I've just got a wire
from my agent at Washington"
About my sun?" asked Marsh anx-
iously.
About the Rhinestrom gum" came
Pinckney's cold correction.
The head draushtsman nodded ac-
quiescence.
"Yes, that what I mean," he agreed.
Pinckney took telegram out Of his
pocket, 49,
well, there's all sorts Of trouble in
Washington" he explained. "Tomor-
row they'll notify us not to begin on
the Rhinestrom order until the Som
mers gun is tested.
What of that?" asked Marsh blank
ly. 1T only means slight delay"
Pinckney made an impatient gesture.
Slight delay, nothing! Haven't you
sense enough to see it's game Of this
toy sailor, Sommers? They'll coun-
termand the order for our gun after
they test his just as sure as fate"
Marsh dropped into chair defect
edly.
Just my luck!" he exclaimed in dis
tress. That's the end of my royalty.
might have known. 1t always hap
pens that way with me. l never nave
any luck"
Pinckney stood looking, sneering
smile on his face.
That's it," he said contemptuously.
Lay down. That's the reason your
luck is always bad and always will be
bad. A quitter can't have any luck.
How do you expect to have anything
IL you drop at the first ditch?"
The inventor looked up, puzzled.
What can / do?" he asked.
Pinckney smiled pityingly on him.
What can you do? Haven't you
sense enough to guess? Here"-he
stepped closer to the inventor to speak
in a lower, firmer tone-"this dirty,
tricky sailor has got the best of us in
Washington. but with Smith drunk
guess we've got the best Of him here"
Marsh looked up, startled. amazed.
Some slight hint of what Pinckney in
tended began to dawn on him.
What do you mean?" he asked
slowly in an almost dazed tone.
The general manager looked at him
sharply.
What time did you say Sommers
would get here?"
"One thirty" replied Marsh.
Pinckney's laugh was rich with con-
fident relief.
We'll, there's lots of time. 1t isn't
IL yet" he chuckled.
On Marsh's face had come an express
sion of horror. He knew now what
the general manager intended to do.
1t made him sick to think Of it, for
Marsh was honest at heart. Only he
was an inventor. He loved his work.
It was his chance Of lifetime. And,
then, he was weak.
You mean you will ruin his gum"
he half whispered family.
The brutal laugh of the other man
was answer enough.
Shut up" he sneered. Don't talk
as II 1t was murder. II you're going
tn get on in this world. Marsh. you
must learn there's as much in blocking
the other fellows game as there is in
playing your own"
His latent sense of honesty made
one last sickening revolt as Marsh
started up from his chair. exclaiming
wildly:
It's awful! l won't be a party to
any such thing as that, Mr.. Pinck-
ney"
With all his superior physical and
mental strength. Pinckney seized the
weaker man and pushed him back in