The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1910-11-25
The Net
By SINGLE
copyrIrhl. IpIo. by Aa.oelalsd Library Prsss


As the young foreman heard the
shrek OF the Ave o'clock whistle he
saw that the employees left things in
proper order, and as they filed out
Into the hot spring evening, came
himself into the dirty, smoky factory
yard. with his cap far back on his
curly dark head and his blue shirt
sleeves rolled to his muscular shout
ders, He had bright, dark eyes, and
quick smile. AS the men passed
him. each had a word. Jest, a 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 any
where. OF to one corner fat, gross
looking man stood smoking and
watching him-a man who was no
stranger. But young Willis, the
foreman, had not yet observed the
politician.
Jerry Willis had pulled dowr his
sleeves and remarked forty times on
the unreasonable heat Of this early
April when Bill Dugan and half
dozen others stopped him. The city
elections were due for next week,
and candidates were "in the hands of
their friends"
Whose yours for mayor, Willis?'
Dugan asked the question carelessly
enough, but he really wanted to
know. He had no initiative of his
own, and the others were much the
him.
John Preston for .me-a clean
town, tight shut and the machine
out of commission. Amt that the
ticket for a working man? This town
is getting so a poor girl hasn't a
Chance-if she keeps decent, and the
machine has spread like net over
the workingman," replied Willis. Il
know a dozen-no a hundred-fellows
who can't vote as they like because
they are under some obligation to
some of the city hall gang. Not for
met"
Guess you're right" agreed the
others, but Dugan finished heartily:
I'm caught in the net, but I'll be
blessed If l don't break loose If you
do, Jerry. The south end, being wide
open, is getting something fierce, and
Name, my girl, has TO go through
there to get to her work twice a day.
It amt safe-you're right"
The politician, casting an eye after
Lot than o1Ana fnr
the present. This Willis was better
capture Just now-he could easily
swing the workingman's vote in his
precinct. And a man with wife and
two babies, and a little home not yet !
half paid for-on the installment |
plan-has an eye open to "bettering |
himself" He came forward and |
hailed the young foreman, who was
now aware of him Tor the first time.
How're ye, Willis? Coin home? |
Let me drive you-got my mare tied
out here. Have a smoker"
Fine mare, Ryan," he remarked,
climbing in. The politician followed
him heavily.
Then Ryan approached" Willis, in
the manner of his kind and with in.
finite skill He had overheard, he
said, Willis's remarks on the mayor
atty, and while it was none of his
business, he was on the inside and
knew a thing or two. He hated to
see bright young fellow like Willis
make such a mistake. He would put
him wise"
BY the time they reached the little
cottage and the young mother with
the baby in her arms came to the
door to see who was bringing her
husband home in such style Ryan had
made the foreman a proposition It
was fattering advantageous.
Jerry was to swing the labor vote
he right way'-not for Preston and
iecency-and, as return favor, the
machine would give him soft Job"
Ryan knew of a position where Willis
could double his present salary-with
4 bonus on the side sufficient to pay
off the remaining payments on the
louse 1t was a perfectly fair thing
As he let the young fellow down and
,omplimented Mrs. Willis, who had
,oms out with her baby, he remarked:
Think It over a day or two, and
III come over and fix things up"
Then he drove away, and the little
lappy family went into its simple
evening meal. They had little save
but they owed no man;
hey had health and love-and hon
,sty.
Never so much as on this night had
he young head Of the family realized
lis blessings. And as he smoked on
he porch a while after supper he did
lot of thinking. The proposition" |
eemed square enough. Perhaps Ryan
vas right, politically And If he, VIII
is, did political work It was surely
10 bribery to be paid for it in favor
nd influence. He thought of the little
lace debt-free, the chance of fuller
lfe for Molly and better prospect
or educating the babies, and better
'ositlon for himself, Perhaps this
vas indeed his chance j.
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