Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-20
I H E D AGO
By JACK FLETCHER COBB

Moran hesitated, rcbelliously showing back Farley
his militant Irish temperament demanding an imme
date issue The Italian. with his Old World train
ing Of inherent submission authority, swung his
shovel and bent to his work, his hearty, goodnatured
laugh echoing into the gloom Of the rafters
Big Mike the first Italian to be employed in
the foundry and hold his job for any length of time
and he bid fair to stay and break down the preu-
diced anmosity against the Only shortly
rived from his native country he s. " to under
stand the petty spites and shop sectionaIism, and
persisted blunderingy in his efforts make friends
with his fellow workers. Openly repulsed and
frowned upon, he ignored the insults, passing them
by with the broadness of big, good-natured dispo-
stion, while with his prodigous strength he tried to
compel friendly recognition by doing the greater
part Of the gangs work, unknowng that he violated
the strictest code of the laborer in doing than
his share.
But as dripping water into stone, the re-
peated insults, snubs and sneers, and the of
the foundrymen in turning their. backs whenever he
approached group gradually bored into his dull
intellect. He began to understand that he not
wanted and that, regardless of his overtures, of
what he might do, as long he stayed they would
treat him the same.
We're tn first tn mud in the marnin; git here
airly,' ordered Farley the coremakers were eav-
ing that evening; and Mike leaned his shovel
handle, watching the three go out together
Of loneliness in his heart in his eyes the dull, hurt
expression of a St Bernard that has been chained
for boisterous rompng.
It a half-hour later when Mike finished his
work and, stripping, plunged into the big water
tank, splashng and playing like schoolboy in
summer pool. AS he climbed out, and stood up to
dress, the splendid health Of his magnificent body
gowed in the foundry gloom,
He humming happily to himself as he dropped
his time-check at the gate, when the timekeeper
cursed him for being late slammed the office window.
and hurried up the street Mike looked after the
young clerk, puzzled expression his face as he
wondered what the Of his resentment.
CHANGING slowly his big hands and body. he
shook his head uncomprehendingy and went his way.
Hands deep in his trousers pockets his eyes on the
sidewalk he did not look up as he pas sed Swecncys
saloon; he had forgotten his boast, and did
the gtterng eyes that watched him 90 by or know
of the preparations that had been made for his recep
ton should he dare to enter.
Mike was thinking, trying to fathom the reason
that these men had for hating him, when he was
willing them What would he not do for
them if they would only speak to him. smile and be
friends That night for the first time in his life he
tossed restlessly his bed. unable to sleep
1t after midnight when Farley pressed the
button at the foundry gate that rang electric bell
in the engine
Hello, Kelly bawled Moran's hoarse voice. and
the little round-shouldered Waterman hurried out
carrying lantern.
whats tn matter, b'ys-don't the dago keep yer
fires in shape"
Morans lurid answer was convincing and the old
Waterman nodded understandingly he locked the gate
after them.
"Why don't tn give white tn Job:
There's Keegan amt had days waurl fer month
rasped Farley thicky.
What's tn place comm to, anyway" complained
the watchman sadly. cts asy to see that We bys r.
nawthin like yer fathers before yez and he followed
them into the foundry, his little eyes gttering in the
swinging lanern-light from the Scared mask of his
burned face.
The ventilators were closed and the air was heavy
and dense from the alnght housing Of the hre-gases
Moran coughed and cursng grabbed the lantern from
the Waterman and led the way.
The nelancholic brooding silence Of the interior
was like the midnight gloom OF graveyard; the mems
voices, booming hollow among the high steel roof
Orders were flung back along the big columns in
glostly whispers.
Dom Ut" said Farley coming to a STOP and he
shivered as he glanced superstously about him, "th
place gives tn shivers, uts that dom elanmy
like"
Shut yer CAB, with yer ouldcountry banshee talk"
ordered Moran turning and shaking his fist under
Farleys nose and old Kelly ehuckcd to himself as he
watched the uneasy sdesepping of the boss coremaker
when they slrted the edges of the pits
On the side wall back of the gangs was a narrow
iron cartrack running the length of the foundry 1t
was set high on the wall supported top of the box
like core-ovens and held UP between them by trisscd
steel brackets fastened to the foundry wall. sheet
steel box-truck drawn by endless cable, Travelled
back and forth on the track carrying the mixture for
the cores The big shve wheels at either end Of the
foundry over which the cable passed were driven by
electric motor its control being in the hands of the
men who worked at the mud-nixing machine
Were gon' to git TIL mud ready fer the marnin,
yer needn't wait" said Moran to the Waterman, as
they stopped the sx-inch gang and lit two coaoil
torches.
The Waterman did not heed the remark but followed
them to the mud-mxer and watched them fill the car
Then Farley went back to his gang, and Moran
climbed on the wooden platform and threw the switch
The motor hun,ned. the big shive-whee cianked and
the steel cable whipped and frightened with ,nenacing
snap the car started and rumbled along the track