Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-20

a strike on our hands.
9AMu The young foreman who had grown up
6A9&u in the foundry, spoke seriously to the Office
Ey E3u superintendent, who sat drumming his
WI nicely manicured nails upon the polished
53SE$ n desk.
"Nonsensc!" the other said with a
zlz laugh. AT times, Mason, your imagination
<,te. gets the better of your Judgment" His
0M manner, as he finished speaking, al
most sneering.
The foremans jaw set little harder
he had grown up in too stern field to let his tenn
be aroused easily Il don't believe I'm wrong in
Mr. Gunter" he said coldy land [ haven't
gotten the riots of two years ago"
OH that striker said the superintendent loflv
different than old Banford had been in
Rrge at the time things would have gone very diff
+ently'
The foreman got up and went out quickly; he did not
trust himself longer with this conceited fanfaron
Standing the polished granite steps OF the elegant
ccbuildng, he looked across the foundry yard with
long. ragged rows OF pig-iron enormous heaps of
&C. and Uttered maze of truck tracks at the gloomy
lndry its smokc-sained, staring windows flashing
OK the glare from the setting SUM- He shook his head
ubtfuy he down the steps and out of the
te in the high spikc-topped fence that surrounded the
orks. He would have talk with Big Mike in the
orning and give him warning; possibly he might
of his accord, but the foreman didn't think he
oud.
In the semi gloom of the late afternoon the motion
IS steel cranes, like wachful sentinels stood silent
hard over the gaping pipepts. On top of the ugly
lex ovens the sheet-sec warped in bullying
as from the intense heat Of the fires. In front of
e rammng- machines from long heaps of crumby
ay sand, hot from the last hake-ou steamed clouds
white vapor tinged with red from the clay OF the
xing-water. The air heavy with odors of burn
* sand and cooling castings and throat smarty from
acrd fumes OF coal-gas pouring from under the
ose-h fitting oven covers. Over all like living crush
G weight, pressed heavy expecant silence.
1t the brooding silence OF tired giant resting
ter the days maddenng rush of struggline half
Rked men, who with the fury Of demons utter
6 hard gaspng curses against inanimatc things
icy toiled and struggled with the massive moulds,
ought living beings the ifty-ton crane-swung ladies
J molten metal raging in mpotcn wrath against the
nwieldy mass yet crouchng shield their faces from
lie shrveling heat.
From under the sde-roof at the canal end OF the
oundry the sound of voices the six-inch-corc
lang hurried and sweated in feversh haste to finish
he days work
Three of the gang worked on one side of moulding
oard running the length of the twelve foot Fac
hg them the opposite side worked the "mudder-
p" big-boned, swarthy Italian his face and shiny
lack hair spattered with fecks of brown core-mud
hat little OF flesh or hair was visible.
The three Irish coremakers talked and laughed as
hey worked, but always among themselves ignoring
he big Italian who aborcd in suen silence, swinging
nth the big scoopshovels of mud upon the mould
ng-board running it along handling the heavy, drag
ng weight if it toy
Hello, Mike ~ A handsome, merry son OF Italy
tuck his head inside the door and grnned at the per-
piring men.
"Helo-a, Tony answered the big Italian, glancng
p with grin.
whats da matter da gang late to-day? You maka a
a bum fire, hey, Nike The big Italian did not
nswer but ran to the end OF the moulding board and
Inserting iron bar in the hollow spindle, swung the
ore above his head.
He handled the heavy weight easily, the muscles
ppling under his brown skin, standing out in knoty
idpes and humps on his enormous shoulders The two
oremakers carrying the other end heaved and grunted
rom the strain the blood rushing their faces as
hey lifted the to It's place the oven-car. The
ther coremaker should have helped the Italian, but
was part of the gangs plan to put as much work as
possible the "dago
The man in the doorway watched the magnificent
(trength OF his countryman with excablc admiration
"Ah!' he cried enthusiastically "that-a Mike; he
nc great-a, big-a easy strong-a like~Ekea two
Fmall-a mans and his dancing eyes Knocked the boss
foremaker, slightly built petuant individual.
Big an strong, all right grudgingly acknowledged
1arley, "but he amt got tn brains v ass" Big
Mike did understand the words, but, sensing tho
luminosity from Fareys manner his eyes glittered as
he bent to his work, 1t the first time since his
oning the gang that he had showed the least sigr
bf resentment
$50 long-a, Mike" called Tony he lodged back
from the door. Maybe drinl<-a whiskey for you a
oweeney's.
Maybe I drink-a one, two myself" answered Mike
good naturcdly
Like hell we will" roared Moran, the tallest of tn,
rshmen; mo dago drinks with US"
Mike Strengthened slowly, scoop-shovel in hand
Y drink-a where like; dam Irish stop-a for
ale,' and the two ragged across the moulding board
ike wild beasts.
Cut ut out an git t waurk, all of yez," rasped
he boss corernaker and as he showed Moran back
be whispered, Gercey, Don't be dom fool this
amt tn time