The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-01-08
Via
Wireless il L: {; $. 5
Noveli.ed by Thompson Bueh-
anan From the Successful
Play of the Same Name ~
BY Winchell Smith,
Frederic Thompson
And Paul Armstrong

Copyright. 1908. by Frederic Thompson
All Rights Reserved

''It's got to come out now" declared
Pinckney angrily. "Sommers is here
In the Office. He thinks we aren't
able to run this job, and he's come to
see his gun go into the bath"
The drunken foreman's face con-
vu2sed with rage.
"Oh, he has, has hep he yelled.
''Well, If he comes bothering around
me you know what he'll get7 He'll
ct what O'Leary got. That's whatll
be coming to him."
Pinckney shook his head.
mo, that won't do, Smith," he CON-
manded sharply.
Out in the works where be was
practically boss the foreman could not
be 80 easily controlled.
"Oh, it won't do, won't it?' he yell
ed. "I'll show you whether it'll do OF
not"
He doubled up one Of his big fists,
shaking it menacingly. And now
Pinckney let him rage without check.
A daring idea had come to the des-
perate schemer. Perhaps, after all, If
Smith attacked Sommers it might not
be so bad. It would be up to Smith.
He would suffer; no one else. At any
rate, Sommers must not see that gun
90 into the tempering bath. Plnckney
decided to irritate his drunken fore
man little more.
""Better be careful, Smith. He's In
a position to make trouble for US all.
He's an officer Of the navy, you know;
has right to inspect the work. We've
got to treat him we'll. Besides, this
Sommers- is pretty bad fighter him
self. He's got an idea he can lick
anybody around these works."
That was enough. Smiths fury was
keyed to the fighting stage now. It
only needed the presence of Sommers
and a little provocation to start real
trouble.
thinks he's fighter, does he?" he
roared. LET him come in here-Tu
show him who's fighter. ! don't
have to treat him well. don't have
to treat you well, Pinckney. 1 don't
have to treat anybody well. I'm indie
pendent, am. l don't crawl for no.
body"
"Smith, you're drunk" declared the
general manager. You're drunk or
you wouldn't talk that way
II know I'm drunk" roared the fore
man. "But I'm the best man In the
outfit, drunk or sober. Just let that
navy duck show up"
Inside Pinckney was smiling, we'll
pleased, but he kept a straight, stern
face.
II know you're the best man, Smith"
he confessed. "But why do you want
to fight with me?'
"Who's fighting with your buster
ed the bully. "There wouldn't be
enough Of you to carry away IL was
fighting with you"
Pinckney laughed powerfully.
"An right" he said. "Now, remem-
Der, Sommers must not see that gun
come out of the furnace. He's sore on
us, and he'll make a bad report on the
job if he gets a chance. You know
what would happen to you then"
HE tried to get N.Y. job," roared the
foreman. TRY to take an honest
mans living away from him? I'll
show him."
He turned to the workman near the
furnace, yelling, "Here, take that Som
mers gun"
Pinckney caught the foreman by the
arm.
"Wait a minute; wait, Smith," he
commanded. Here's Sommers now"
The naval lieutenant was coming
down the long furnace room, shielding
his eyes from the terrific heat and
glare Of the furnaces as he passed.
Smith lurched out to meet him just
as he stopped in front Of the furnace
which held the Sommers gun. One
quick look assured the navy man of
the foreman's condition.
"How soon do you take the gun out
Smith," he asked.
The foreman lurched up, thrustine
his face close to the officers.
None Of your business" he retort
ed. II take it out when I get good
and ready. Maybe at one time, and
then again it may be another" -
The answer was enough. Every
muscle in Sommers' powerful frame
set for action. Already he had the
foreman's protruding jaw measured
for his right hand, and Pinckney'l
voice checked him.
II say, sommers, come here, please
will your"
The naval man turned without q
word and walked over to the general
manager. .,- = -, =.
perhaps you can explain this, Mr.
PinckneyT' he demanded sternly.
Pinckney smiled alphabetically.
II hope you won't mind Smith. You
can see he's been drinking"
The officers eyes narrowed. The
fighting look was still on his face g.
"And that's the kind Of a man you
all IN hA &~