Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-12-23

rent Of anger.
"What are you doing hereT' he roar
ed. why did you come in this Of
flee, Lucy? What business you got
here. O'Leary? Amt l seeing you
hanging around my house enough
without getting that girl in the Office"
Give got your dinner. father. /
brought it over to you.' faltered Lucy.
"And why didn't you bring it to me
right" he shouted. And why do you
let this fellow in the office here be
talking to you?"
"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 Oh his
assistant with fury.
"Oh, you don't, don't you. Look
here, you keep that mug Of yours out
| of my affairs or I'll break it. Do YOU
hear?"
But Joe O'Leary did not come of the
race that could be bluffed. AS Smith
lurched toward him the assistant
Strengthened into a position of de-
Tense, 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 spoils."
The sudden opposition sobered the
drunken man for a moment.
IL got Il fine assistant. amt II" he
sneered. Trying to tell me my bust
ness. l 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, l tell you. Don't
you come neal her or I'll break YOU
in two"
O'Leary 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 off. l tell you, if you ever
lay a hand on me Ill kill you"
In a wild fury Smith rushed I'M
steadily. O'Leary landed once, stag
gering the big man, and then Lucy
rushed in between them.
"Father.. Joe. Don't.w she begged
"Youll both be discharged"
The Earring. staggering blow had
knocked a 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 a good
chance. and. like most DULLES, he
didn't care for even battles. The plea
of Lucy gave him Il chance to change
the direction of his anger.
"Discharged" he yelled. "Whol
discharge me? l can clean out the
whole works, and p
He was lurching about the office
swinging his arms wildly in time to
his drunken threats, when the street
door opened and Pinckney came in
hastily. In a moment the manage
saw that something was wrong.
whats the meaning of this" he
demanded sharply, stepping forward.
Again the current Of Smiths rag
had found an object to dash against
All sense Of discipline and fear O.
consequences was gone from him
Then. besides, down in his heart he
knew that Pinckney needed him an6
would scarcely dare to discharge hin
at this time. Instead of replying hs
heaved himself yer until he stood face
to face with the general manager.
do you think Pm afraid of you?'
he demanded drunkenly.
Pinckney paid no attention to him
but turned and pressed the bell. Whe1
LIE 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 hesitated.
II can't leave Lucy with him." be
said, jerking his head toward Smith.
Pinckncy nodded.
81" understand, but that's all right
You go back to work. I'll 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, her turned an(
SpoAS I1ACdtSu1uSly W luG II
foreman, See here, Smith, if yol
touch that girl I'll kill you, and dom
you forget it,"
Before Lucy's father could reply ht
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, 1 put you il
charge Of the Sommers gun"
Smith Strengthened and leered will
a drunken assumption Of sarcasm.
What if you did? Amt it being
done to suit you|'
"Of course it is. 1 haven't complain.
ed, have II"
The foreman thrust his own face
against that Of the general manager.
you'd better not complaint" he
sneered ~threateningly. II guess ]
know what's wanted Of me-"
PinClneV nodded