The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-01-02

ment her heart still retained its recurrent, pitiful
faith in him. 1t the thing that rendered her
present existence endurable.
you're in his office, and you've been faithful for
years-you don't suppose they'd
Her husband laughed shortly. He was one of those
exasperating men who never answer a question di-
rectly 81 guess not My luck doesn't that way"
Next morning pausing for his mild, daily Irritation
with of the telephone girls, an associate hailed
him from behind desk in the receiving department
"Hear the news?' he asked. Carriers dead! I
just sent up the telegram. Died this morning early
The superintendent all broke over it. Gee, it's
fierce, amt it-a strike comm any minute and him
gomez"
Hopper shot upstairs in the elevator As he got off
fourth sounds Of angry alteration reached
him. Two operators were quarreltng
s'To h with the company" said one, Whit of
liquor accompanying the words. We'll show 'em
thing two, the dirty dogs! It won't be long now
he said, thickIy do you know who's backin' us?
Mason, the national leader. He used to be Of
and he's got million dollars behind him. Whered It
come from? don't know and don't care. He's got
it, that's all. Well show you something pretty, all
right"
Hopper shrank at the sinister tone Of the man, with
its suggestion of violence. He was glad that his
own minor position protected him from any particpa
stances felt that would exchange places with
the president for any price.
The suspense ended the following day. At ten
o'clock came the report that the strike Some
one had jumped upon desk in the operating and
blown whistle. Instantly the storm that had been
gathering force for several weeks burst and cleared
the air so tensely charged with excitement Heavy
footsteps resounded down the marble stairs and loud,
defiant voices echoed through the corridors The
surged from the building cursng threatening cheer
ing, the majority making their way, some already
steady with liquor to the neighboring saloons, few
remaining in groups projecting their views and opin
ions to the crowd that had paused curiously at the
entrance, until they taken In hand by the police
To Hopper sitting at his desk the floor below,
the sudden quiet which followed the brief excitement
made him vaguely apprehensive. summons from
the superintendent did tend restore his Of
mind; his uneasiness gave way to foreboding. Was
there in his recent report which
had overlooked? He from his chair and stood
still moment, gathering himself together. He al
ways shrank from Interview with the superintend-
emit whom he disiiked without attempting analyze
his aversion. Opening the officials door softly with
anxious solcitude, he,stood smiling his hands
sciously rubbing themselves together. With desire
to propitfate he began at
rI'm SO sorry, sir to hear of Mr. Carriers death.
know how you must feel it; you and he were such
good friends"
'-I0efeS no time Tor tnar now, returned the other
man. transferring his attention pile papers
before him. 1t seemed to Hopper that his face
noticeable drawn and lined since the day before and
he contrasted it complacenty with his fresh col
orfng. 81 want you to take charge of his desk. I
haven't time to look up man in present
straits, I'll give you chance. You've been in Mr.
Carriers Office longer than anybody else -probably
you've acquired knowledge Of his duties Do
the best You can attend carefully to the Details and
don't bother me with them. Mr. Do7io will take your
former position. That's ALL"
In the quiet Of the outer corridor Hopper could
feel the blood beating in his Chief clerk of
the Metropolitan Telegraph Company! The fact that
he had at last gloriously into his dazed
him, and the suddenness and lack Of ostentaton with
which 1t had been accomplished left him gaspng If
only the superintendent had to him and given
him this appointment in the presence Of his Office
associates! The one big moment of his life had
sneaking upon him and taken him unawares. After
the first glow Of exultation there swept him a
faint resentment that there had been blare of
trumpets, envious eyes to watch his triumph.
Some claims for damages lay the desk He
turned them over irresolutely. The strike had
jostled the office work out of its routine and brought
duties into his department Men were working
shoulder to shoulder, each helping the other. Som
mers, his assistant, noticing his obvious desire to
avoid possible criticism, respectfully offered sugges-
lions which the chief clerk received coIdly, but
which he acted privately. The friendly offers Of
sistance from other he repealed also, ntmating
by general stiffness of exterior that chief clerk,
he would longer tolerate the familiarity which
had hitherto expressed itself in good natured caps
upon the back and loud-yoiced pleasantres.
While he considering his next step the hall door
opened suddenly and entered, reeling and shout
ing a string of oaths. He advanced unsteadily to
Hopper's desk and, shaking his fist in the chief
clerks face, dared him to fight Hopper had risen,
and instinctively retreated few steps. Before he
could gather his scattered wits together, Sommers's
hand shot and grabbed the intruders coat collar,
Jerking him forward violently
"Get out" he ordered, "and be quick about it, or