The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-07
THE NET
BY JOANNA SINGLE


AS the young foreman heard shrek Of the
O'Clock whistle he saw that the employees left things
In proper order and they filed into the hot
spring evening, came himself into the dirty smokey
head and hts blue shirt Sleeves rolled to his muscu
lar shoulders. He, had bright dark and quick
smile. AS the men passed him. each had word.
Jest, loving sort OF recognition for him. He was
fair and square. quick to take up their interests
although no alarmist He could have been their
leader anywhere. of fat gross
hacking D man stood smons and watching Ws the
foreman had not yet observed the politician
remarked forty the unreasonable heat of
tins early April when Bl Dugan and half dozen
f2T next week. and candidates were IN the hands OF
Whose yours for mayor Wills" Dugan asked
the question carelessy enough but he really wanted
TO know. He had no initiative of hts own. and the
John Preston for me-a clean town tight shut hut
and the machine of commission. Amt that the
ticket for Working This is getting 50
poor girl hasn't chance-if she keeps decent and
i1A,man,' replied Willis T know dozen---no a
hundred-fellows who can't vote as they Ike because
they are under some obligation TO some OF the city
Guess you're right" asked ther others, Dugan
finished heartily; TIN caught in the net but III be
blessed If don't break loose If you do. Jerry The
fierce. and Name my girl, has go through there
to get to her work twice day. 1t amt safe-youre
They passed still arguing that and other mat
ters. Some OF them straight for the nearest
saloon others hurried wives and children.
The politician. casting an eye after them decided
"a capture just nowhe could easily swing the
workingman's vote in his precinct. a with
a wife and babies and little home not yet half
paid instail1nent plan--has open to
lettering himself" He came forward and hailed the
arst time
How're We Wills? Coin home? Let drive
you-got nay mare tied out here Have smoke.
Willis nodded took the cigar, following the man
wondering what had brought him TO the factory
Fine Ryan, he remarked, climbing tn The
politician followed him heavily.
kind. and with infinite skill He had overheard
he said. Wiliss remarks on the mayoraly and while
of his hiIE he wa on
knew thing two. He hated to see a bright young
fellow like Willis make such mistake He would
/ put him wise"
This he proceeded do putting the machine IN
the light OF heaven ordained necessity and its parts
protectors OF the city and the especial angels
OF the working He did it well, He knew better
than to offer this young man more than NeaS9a
stein of beer-he was no drinker But he mt me
f4sye spot when he Pks Of III the family rns n or
his health or whether he would know good thing
BY the time they reached little cottage and the
young mother with the baby in her arms came to the
such style Ryan had made the foreman proposition
1t was hattering-and adyantageous Jerry was to
and decency-and as return favor the machine would
Willis could double his present saary-~with bonus
the side sufficient to off the remaining pay
interests had to be protected; these workmen were
like sheep not knowing what was good for them and
Willis, natural leader could bring them into the fold
the besfor the city and everybody and so long
putting the lid on TOO tight Nohod! wanted an eX-
posion. Decency personal matter and SO forth
with no future but slavery 1t was his chance. The
man clever enough not to ask for decision then
Mrs. Wills, who had come out with her baby, he
=, Think it over day two, and I'll come over and
, Then he drove away and the little happy family
its simple evening meal. They had little
necessities, but they owed no man; they had
Never much this night had the young head
>e family realized his blessing. And as the
sme ed the porch while after supper he did a
lot OF thinking. The proposition seemed square
enough Perhaps Ryan was right politically Ana IL
to be paid for it in favor and influence He thought
life for Molly. and better prospect for educating the
babies. and better position for himself Perhaps
this was indeed his chance lie would think about
But the night b1ousht little sleep Wills rvs, was
year~old Bobhie fretted and wanted frequent drinks
ara the baby Moy b held m
i back 1t was doubt of what she would think-or
. rather knowledge that she would not think about
1t at all She would promptly call 1t dishonest. and
there would be an end to It. He knew what women
folks in general thoughtha. anything political could
be and undecided and that explanations would
e make no difference What he did want was to talk
all right. Resolving "be fair and square" he
= Next day at his work the thinking When
asked about the election he was less sure about MS
choice. But he avaided questions If he was TO
swing" their vote he keep still until he knew
y exactly what position to take His face was wor-
Ryan and the little mare were again waiting for him
The politician was say and impudsnt; He had beer e
= husband would be home for supper-he wanted
I him to look property he Ryan had tc
SELL He told Jerry he had made it right with her
b Then he took his home in the suburbs. and
they dinner of quality. He treasured him. made
= him see things a light. 1t all really SC
plausible that but for his old habit of caution Will
lis would have fallen In line But finally. rather
late in the evening and over glass or extremely gooc
wine he promised let him know the next evening
FOR good" Ryan said he would drive WILLIS
house In the evening. He hated the delay but daret
not urge young man further When Jerry reached
home the babies asleep. He hoped Molly would
be too but she waiting. bright usual. But
was trace of anxiety In her tone she asked him
what he had been doing She asked from real interest
for she was the to distrust her in
his goings and comings.
Talking politics." he answered. Then he thought
he would tell her all about It, but finally decided
that she would understand and that he had bet
ter keep still and his thinking
Again, he lay awake most Of the night and by morn
ing had Ryans answer ready for him. He thought hi
{ would make 1t all a surprise for Molly. She would
of course be- with delight clearing the place
. and especially better work. better paid,
II would best a surprise for he had strange
reluctance about consulting her. He after all