The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-08-15
why, we're through" he muttered
Johann stared stupidity.

Johann stared stupidity.
"Mebby dat Meestair Blair e geey
us anudCer job. you t'ink SO, eh ?" VEN
tured Marcel hopefully.
mo. We're the rottenest gang on
the work. It's Houlahan's fault. And
| haven't had my chance. D-n
him!"
Dbl" The impending calamity
was becoming clear to Johann
"M'sieu as los 'ees chance. Dat
YER bad Jo'ann an me. we ave los
a job" Marcel sighed.
But the fear was not justified At
the tool-shed they were ordered to
report next morning a half hour ear
lier than usual. And:
"Truitt," said the time clerk, the
boss wants to see you"
Mark made his way to the rude
shanty that was Blai-'s office.
"Truitt," the latter demanded,
what's the matter with Houlahan's
gang?" d"
TOO much bullying" Mark an
swered directly.
Il thought so. Report tomorrow
morning."
Yes, sir. or course"
I'm going to put your gang on the
new coke oven beds. It's a rush job.
give you three weeks for It."
Give me?"
Yes. I'm putting you in charge OF
the gang"
For an instant Mark stared foolish
ly. Then he grinned. Would you
mind saying that again?"
Blair complied. Look here" he
added boyishly. I'm taking chance
on you. because you look and talk
intelligent. Are your"
Mark admitted it.
Then prove it. l want to make a
record on this job and so you've got
to. Houlahan," Blair added. didn't
and he loses his job. See?"
Mark saw.
happily unaware of a new order OF
things.
"Houlahan," Blair announced casu-
ally, "Truitt will take your gang to-
day"
Houlahan glared malevolently at
Mark.
And where1l OF go?"
You can take Truths old place-or
quit" said Blair CURLY.
MY Cod"
There was no resistance. AS II
dazed, the Irishman shouldered his
pick and shovel and with the gang fol-
lowed Mark to the new job.
You have seen a sensitive horse be-
come docile and eager when a master
takes the reins. So it was with Houla-
hans. now Truths, gang. They were.
since they had survived the weeks of
bullying, no mean type; and they re-
sponded gratefully to the changed
leadership. Where they had been sui
len and resentful, they now became
willing and promptly obedient AS the
day advanced. the pace. instead OF
slackening as under Houlahan's COM
mand. grew faster; the last hours
record was the best of all.
Often Mark went home to his lodg-
ing by way of the mills. Then he be-
gan to spend his evenings studying
them. sometimes in company with
Blair, who when the days work was
done sunk his rank in a frank liking
for his new lieutenant
At first Mark saw only a vast spec
tacular chaos; a Brobdingnagian fer
ment of unordered and unrelated en-
ginery and consuming fires. No guild
| ing hand appeared. no purpose was
felt. Some awful mischance that must
bring the whole fabric crashing to
earth seemed always to impend. II
was unbelievable that this creation
had been brought forth from the mind
and by the hand Of man.
Gradually to his accustomed eye
the chaos resolved itself into a system
rather. a marvellous system OF sys-
TENS that worked with a single pur.
pose. each unit fitting precisely into
the ordered whole.
Cod" he exclaimed one night, over.
come by the splendor of 1t all. He and
Blair were standing on the bridge
over the blooming mill, watching the
halfnaked troop that with hook and
tongs worked a two-ton ingot over the
rolls.
What is 1t? What's happened? ?"
Blair looked around for an accident to
explain the ejaculation.
Nothing. was just thinking how
how big 1t is" Mark laughed at the
feebleness of his words. What would
you give to be down there?"
There Is such a thing as luck. A
man-himself an artist who had not
yet become exploiter-who had Just
come unnoticed on the bridge, heard,
and with half smile. saw the eager
face.
Blair shrugged his shoulders. Yes,
it's big. But it's hard work. Good
pay. though"
Il suppose co." Mark answered care
lessly. Il wasn't thinking of that"
The man spoke. Good evening,
Blair"
"Oh! Good evening. Mr.. Henley"
Blair struck a respectful attitude. "A
bad night, sir"
Henley looked at Mark. II don't
just place you. Where have I seen
you before?"
Mark flushed at the recollection.