The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1909-04-28
CHAPTER xvII.-continued.

Inc president IN Il TeNeTle IOuHu
himself contemplating them. Here, he
thought, was the personificatiOn of
that anomaly the American working
man: Outlines turbulent, frequently
dissatisfied, sometimes waging war
fare with employer and capital and
cursing political parties; but when
country and home were endangered,
courageous as lion guarding whelps,
reckless of life, and unheeding wounds,
plunging to the front in a frenzy, and
asking no reward save the satisfaction
of Selling the invader by the throat
and throttling him to the death. God
save the enemy who underestimate
the temper and patriotism of the
American workmen!" he muttered as
he returned to the long motionless
line of radioplanes.
The ray of light, broad, steady and
clear, was still there, and as the visi-
tors entered its borders the quick.
sharp blast of whistle in the rear, as
if by preconccrted signal, caused every
wheel 10 come to an abrupt stop.
From the buildings and quarters men
came running to the scene and sur
rounded the guests. who were grouped
together in the fan of white and I'M
mediately in front of the monster
which had given them passage. That
they were not to depart without some
further attention was obvious. "Old
Bill Roberts made the meaning OF
the call plain when he addressed his
friend in the old term of intimacy.
Paul, We have left to you the honor
of christening the first radioplane ever
built. She isn't named yet. The boys
here wanted to call her the Roberts;
but l forbade them. l guess you know
who l wanted to call her after" he
said, laying his hand on the presf-
dents arm and looking up into his
face: but then l wasn't sure you
would like that, SO We have cOmpro-
missed by leaving it to YOU"
The president had in his hand a
piece of carpenters chalk which he
had idly picked up from one of the
floors he had traversed. He stood
turning it over between his long rough
fingers which bore evidences of hard
physical labor in early youth, and
looked affectionately down into the in
ventor's eyes. He turned from him
and looked at those around him. In
the edges of the light and stretching
back into the darkness behind he could
discern the faces of the wOrkmen. the
reflection giving them a singularly
pallid look and making them seem like
visages dismembered. their bodies be-
ing absorbed into the blackness of the
background. They expected speech:
but he felt a paucity of words when he
thought of their endeavors and
achievements. He started to address
them. but choked with the fullness Of
his heart. Without such work as they
had given. what would be the condi-
ton of the nation tonight!
Men," he said. using the strongest
Of appellations. mo words of mine can
add to the honors you merit, nor de-
tract from what you have done. Duty
we'll performed requires no praise;
but as president of the United States
1 thank you. l am the one who is
honored in being privileged to call you
countrymen."
He faltered. and in the strong light
upon him they could see the muscles
of his face twitching with repression.
He turned from them as if to hide his
emotion, and took few steps which
brought him to the side of the radio
plane. His long arm reached out. and
slowly and in silence he chalked upon
its metal side in big white letters.
NORMA.
The men of the plant stood quietly
until the significance of his act
dawned upon them. and then burst
into a frenzy of cheers, forgot the dig
nifty of his position, and crowded
round him, talking as man to man.
Norma tried to make her protests
heard; but they were unavailing. The
men were elated, and her father was
satisfied.
With little delay the party boarded
the craft, the president being the last
to say good-by. The big metal door
was closed, and the Norma rose, into
the air on its return journey. while
the men stood with hats off and
watched it disappear before returning
to their work.
The radiOplane was making it's last
FIGHT hoforo tho war hocauso II waS