Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-05

49, ~
which b virtually Was manager think
she knew her business? This was GER
tainly good reason for generalization.
She must not be silly. Confidence in.
her ability at business might even help
to influence him toward refusing to
sell out. Il she could but impress him
with the fact that she was able, might
it not be possible that his confidence
In large future profits would weigh.
powerfully?
To her surprise she heard a chuckIe
from the judge and when she looked
at him discovered definite amusement
on his face.
"And after You had gone last night,
he just raved about your eyes," the old
man happily informed her.
my eyes!" She felt the blood
mounting to her cheeks and tried to
hide them with IN industry which kept
her bent above her papers. If he had
raved about her eyes then the impress
sion she had made on him was not en-
tirely commercial!
That's what he did! He said you
had the bluest eyes he'd eve seeni"
Now the judge laughed heartily.
She flushed with sudden wrath.
Why, Judge, my ayes are gray!"
The Judge himself was now sur
prised. He had believed them brown.
Are they?" He arose, went to her,
and, through his thick-Iensed specta-
cles, peered at her face. why, so
they are!" He walked away, non
plussed. well, what do you think Of
that!"
"T think"
Perhaps he's color blind" the Judge
said hopefully. ct guess I have BEEN
Maybe that is It."
They were interrupted by Sam Hig-
gins. The foreman, it appeared, wished.
to talk to Josie. Sam had a way of al
most shutting both his eyes and throw
ing back his head when he announced
things Of this kind.
"Yes," said Josie, with the indiffer-
ence Of the business who has
long been of authority, eT1l see him in
just a few minutes"
Samrwhirled slowly, went to the door
and loudly delivered her message, as
II his voice must reach to the factory's
farthest end.
This focused the judges attention
upon something he had been consider
ing. He leaned above the desk and
spoke to Josie conhdentially. 81
thought OF something on the way over,
Josie. Nobody but us knows that the
young fellow is In town. He registered
at the Grand, you know, under the
name of Jackson. Maybe the people
In the plant are getting nervous"
Eyes, they are" she granted. There
have been so many rumors of the sale.
I'm worried"
well, then, don't you think it might
be a good thing to spread the news
around among the men a hitler
She evidently agreed, for she vigor,
ously nodded and tapped a bell. per
haps it would be a good idea"
Noting that she had rung the bell,
the judge held up a warning hand.
Don't do it that way. You leave it to
me. / won't have to tell more than
one or two of them" He chuckled. 'TII
step in on my way out and tell YOU
WHIST effect it has" $,
"Yes, do, judge"
"Are you ready for Higgins?'
Eyes; tell him to come in"
Going to the door, the judge beck.
oned to the man, who was waiting in
the shop beyond, and the gangling,
plainly h~eavy-minded and exceedingly
intense foreman entered.
How dosyou feel today, Joe?" the
judge asked kindly.
81 don't feel very WELL" Higgins an
swered gloomily and frowning.
The judge looked at him, smiling,
not entirely with approval. "You new
er do, do you, Joe?" Higgins made no
answer; the judge laughed and disap-
peared.
well, what is it, Higgins? 2" Josie In
CURED without delay, looking up at the
unpleasantly faced creature as If she
had no time to waste.
He came forward IurchingIy, nerY-
ously twisting his cap in powerful
hands; but there was nothing Of the
suppliant about him; rather he seemed
a1mostso be inclined to threaten. II
want to ask you a question, Miss Rich
ards"
GO right ahead"
TN expect you to tell me the truth
nowl"
She flashed an angry look at him.
I'm t In the habit Of lying"
He gazed at her with lowered head
and frowning face. His words came
Eslow1y, as If he found it difcult to find
them; but he did not speak with hest
%tation; indeed, there was that about
him which limited at the labor union
orator.
I'm talking for every man In the
plant" he began, with rising voice, en-
~deayoring to be impressive. I'VE had
a meeting this morning, and we want
to know whether this concern is going
into the trust or not! We decided that
we're entitled to some information,
and that's what I'm here for; to ind
out what you know about it."
This naturally angered her. She