Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1909-12-24
Copyright. 1908. by Frederic Thompson

IN wild fury Smith rushed I'M
Stratily. Oleary landed once. stag
erring tie biz man. and then Lucy
rushed i'll between them
'fathcr. Joe, Don't" she begged
You'll both be discharged"
The i:rring. staggering blow had
knocked Il little of the fight out Of the
bully. He still had sense enough TO
IIuw that in an even battle his young.
strong assistant would have n coed
rlanrc. and. like most bulicS, he
di..n't care for even battles The plea
of Lucy gave him Il chance to change
Tie direction of his anger.
"HischarGcd" he yelled. Who'll
diScharg" me: l can clean out the
whole works and -
He was lurchlng about the Office.
swinging his arms wildly in time to
his drunken threats. when the street
door opened and finckney came in
hastily. In Il moment the manager
SAW that something was wrong.
"Whats 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
ut 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 you!"
lie demanded drunkenly.
Pinckney paid no attention to him,
but turned and pressed the bell. When
he spoke 1t was to the assistant.
What are you doing here, O'Leary? 2"
Nothing, sir"
Then get to work." ordered Pinck-
ney sharply
O'Leary hcsitated.
Il can't leave Lucy with him." he
said. jerking his head toward Smith.
Pinckney nodded.
Il understand. but that's all right
You so back to work. I'll look after
her"
Yes. Joe. please so 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 10 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 appraised, but Pinckney
stepped in front of him.
Here. here. Smith" commanded the
manager sharply. You've got no time
for fooling. Remember. l put you In
charge of the Sommers gun"
Smith Strengthened and leered with
a drunken assumption Of sarcasm.
What IL you did? Amt it being
done to suit you?'
"Of course ii is. l haven't complain
ed. have II"
The foreman thrust his own face
against that Of the general manager.
You'd better not complain" he
sneered threateningly. Il guess l
know what's wanted of me-
Pinckney nodded.
I'm sure you do, Smith," he said
blandly. Il have every confidence in
you; now go and look out for that gun,
and. remember. until that jobs out Of
the way you're boss. Don't let any
body interfere with you"
The foreman shook one of his big
arms.
III any one interferes with me you
know what they'll get" he roared.
You can bet your life on that, and
one of them is going to get it quick"
Still muttering threats. he turned and
staggered out OF the works. Pinckney
looked sharply at Lucy.
You so home and stay there" he
said.
The girl hcsitatcd. Fear Of what
might happen with her father drunk
and in charge Of such important work
gave her unusual courage.
Excuse me. Mr.. Pinckney. but
father isn't himself Do you think 1t
safe 10 have him in charge tonightY'
The manager frowned SO savagely
that Lucy trembled.
''Oh. that's what brought you here,
WAS it? You came over to manage
the works. did you:" he sneered.
Il was afraid-that gun repeated
the girl.
Pinckney broke In on her savagely.
We'll. the next time you keep your
fears homie. When need you to look
out Tor the works here Ill send for
you. Now get out"
lie turned from the frightened girl
to the office boy. who at last had an
swered his ring.
Send Marsh to my private office"
And without another look at the
frightened girl the manager strobe
into his private Office and slammed
the door. Lucy. crushed and beaten,
fearful that she had only made mat
tiers worse by coming. was hurrying
out when the door from the works
again opened, and Joe OLeary, blood
streaming down his face. staggered
across the threshold and fell into q
chair. gasping:
"IIc got me"