The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1911-11-17

managers had boarded at a hotel in
the town Bob kingsford had taken
up his home in the house Of Uncle
Simon. Until he had done so he was
not aware, or had entirely forgotten
that there was daughter Prudence
in the case.
Thee may call her Prue. the same
as we TO-" said the father after the
introduction. 1T is better that she
becomes not too worldly, but thee
may tell her OF the streets and great
buildings in thy city, and thee may
even touch lightly on fashions and the
theaters. Prue, Robert kingsford will
never be of our faith. but he is good
young man"
Whether it took Bob six days or six
weeks to fall in love with Prue, and
whether It was six days or six weeks
before a climax came with the men.
has nothing to do with the main ques-
tons Bob had his eyes and ears
open and realized that row was com.
ing. The men were growing over
hours and wages They were loafing
and defiant. No man wanted to lose
his job. but every man thought 1t was
time to change managers again. Uncle
Simon, loating about the works, saw
enough and heard enough to make
him say to Bob:
Robert, there is an ungodly man
on this job who is. stirring up disloy'
atty and sedition."
II know him. uncle It's Jim Shea.
Verify, it Is He aches and longs
And he's going to get what he
aches and longs for could dis
charge him, Of course. but he'd keep
on stirring up trouble What will set.
tie his hash is a good licking in a fair
stand.ur fight. Jim Is a bully and
wants to be a leader. After I've
trounced him the men will be all
right"
Robert. hast thou looked James
Shea over?"
"Oh, I've glanced his way a few
times"
He Is tall and long-armed, and he
hath what the world calls fighting
jaw. If he is from college where the
manly art was taught he may best
thee"
I i've got to take my chances on
that ] know you are with me. but
how about Prue? She will certainly
be shocked if she hears of fight"
mot being worldly. she probably
will" replied Uncle Simon after think
ing it over. but we may count that
the said shock will not be fatal. 1t is
the fate of her sex to be shocked and
to recover Shouldst a conflict take
place, and shouldst thee come out OF
1t with black eye, but triumphant, II
may be that Prue's hands would even
make the poultice. am man Of
peace. but"
And that evening as Bob Kingsford
was smoking his pipe and inspecting
the works. he was approached by jim
Shea's daughter, a girl of twelve who
brought the fathers dinner pail. and
after q fnrtive look around she said:
Look out for pop tomorrow noon.
"Why. what's he going to do?"
Going to beat you up before the
men,"
And why do you come to warn
me-"
Because pop won't let me go to
the moving picture shows He's q
fighter, pop is. but you knock him out
and III send you bouquet"
Next morning there was something
in the air that told Bob wha, to look
for He said nothing to Uncle Simon,
but half an hour before the noon
whistle blew the Quaker came around
to ask:
Robert, art thou feeling in fine fet-
tie, as the world calls it,"
Fine as silk"
| Anu LILY muSCIc anu luc hAO 0ACO6O
of the manly art?"
Got EN- both with me-.
Two minutes before the whistle
| blew Bob walked out on the em5ank-
ment and straight up to Shea and told
him to get ready. and then removed
his own surplus clothing He wasn't
waiting TO be challenged Two hun
dred people saw that fight, The Qua
ker meant to turn his back on it. but
forgot. 1t was fair.square fight 1t
lasted twenty minutes. and then Shea
cot up from his fourth knockdown
and extended his hand and said the
new manager was all right. all right
Yes, Bob Kingsford had black eye,
and Uncle Simon conducted him home
and turned him over to Ruth with the
remark:
Daughter, do not be shocked when
tell thee that. Robert has been III
a."
"Oh, / was down by the wild plum
tree and saw it all, father. and now
under thy directions will make a
!