Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-18

they staggered, their awkwardness at.
fording huge sport to their compan-
ions, yet even In their intoxication
they were surprisingly capable. There
was great deal Of laughter and dis
order on every hand, and all made fire.
quent trips to the watertaps. returning
adrip to the waist, their hair and
boards beiewelled with drops. Boyd
saw one, well.dressed fellow In
checked suit. remove his clothes and
hang them carefully upon nail, then
| painfully unlace his patent-leather
shoes, after which, regardless OF the
litter under foot and the splinters in
the floor, he tramped about in bare
feet and red underwear. Without ex-
ception, they seemed possessed by a
spirit Of boys at play, Having seen
them well under way and the winches
working, George sought out Boyd and
promptly inquired:
What do you think Of them, eh?"
'"They are splendid. But where are
the others?"
| ''Well, there are two or three that
won't be able to get around at all" He
]meditatively stroled the knuckles of
| his right hand, which were badly
bruised. "But the balance will be here
tomorrow. These are Just the mildest
hammered ones-the family men, you
might say. The others Will show up
gradual. You see, II there had been
any fighting going on here, I'd have
got most Of them right OF the bat, but
there wasn't any inducement to offer
except hard work, so they wasn't quite
SO anxious to commence"
"Humph! There ought to be enough
fexcitement before long to satisfy any
LONE" said Boyd with trace OF worry
in his voice.
4 "As sure as you're foot high!"
Iexclaimed George. hopefully. TITS the
only way weIl get that ship loaded on
time. All we need Is a riot or two"
A man passed them trundling 81
heavy truck, but seeing Big George,
he paused. wiping the sweat from HIS
race, then grinned and winked fra
ternally.
]. Hey! II this work Is too heavy for,
J you, why don't you uuit?" growled
balt. but strangely enough the fellow
. COOK no offense. Instead, he closed his
swollen eye for second time. then
spat upon his hands, and, as he strnp-
gled with his burden, grunted pleas.
, I pretty near got you, George. n
you hadn't a. ducked, we'd "a been
| at 1t yet, eh?'' Doon
BAT smiled in turn, then gtngerlv
Ieit OF the knob behind his ear.
va you have fight with him %
{ queried Emerson.
NOT exactly fight, but he nut this
aupoln on my conch," answered tho
asnerman. He's a tough proposition.
7 one OF the best we've got" =
What was the trouble?"
! Nothlng! used to have to lick him
every year. We've sort Of missed each
} other lately" $50
Then you were merely renewinp 4
peasant acquafntance?" laughed the
]. mouth, l see." = 80
No, got that from stranger. i
y was bedding him down when he
kicked me with his boot. He ain,t hero
!. this morning'l
+ II We're yop, I'd 90 up to the ho.
9 tel and get some, sleep," Boyd advised
Q I'll oversee thingA"
George hesitated Nj don't know II
I'd better go or not. NIhay'ge alf~ -
d hang.overs and they're liable to bu,st
out any minute II you don't watch
y them. They amt vicious. understand.
8 they just like to frolic around"
t. iii watch them"
0 After contemplative glance at his
t companions well-knit figure, Bait gave
IN, with the final caution; Don't let
n them get the upper hand, or there
= won't be no living with Them
After MS departure Boyd was not
l long IN learning the cause Of his hesi-
/ fancy, for no sooner did the men re.
l. alfze the change in authority over
g them than they undertook to feel out
9 the mettle Of their new foreman. Di-
9 rectly one OF them approached him.
s with the demand:
Get us drink, boss: we're
thirsty
0 There is the water-tap,- said II
k erson. Help yourself"
a GO on We don't want water.
= tie up key of beer, will your
9 Nothing doing"
g /, He turned back to his tasE1
t. moment later Boyd saw hiJ
] for the shore end Of the docl.
8 few strides placed hims9
f. Ipath. n
h Where are you going?" "
After drink, OF course -
l. you want to quit, eh?n -
r The man eyed him for .5N
v then answered: "No! I'll
e right, but I'm thirsty"
Those working near ceased their la
7, bcrs and gathered around. whereupon
!, their companion addressed them /:
0 Say! It's great note when fell
o low can't have q drink. Come on, boys,
r Ill set 'em up" There was general
9 laugh and a forward movement Of all
9 within hearing, which Boyd checked
l. with rough command.
r Get back to work, all of you" But
y the spokesman, disregarding his words
/ attempted to pass, whereupon without
3 warning, Boyd knocked him down
J. with clean blow to the face. At this
e the others yelled and rushed forward,