The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-08-15

their hands new weapons. hard and
keen and sure. to bring nature. her
forces and treasures, into bondage and
service.
Therefore steel!
And, therefore. the army OF steel
workers.
A strong west wind had sprung up
during the night and the sun shone
clear on the line of that days recruits.
One by one they passed before keen
eyed youth-only the young Differed
this army-who, after one glance. &C
cepted or rejected. The enlisted
were turned over to the timekeeper.
who gave them numbered cards and
assigned them to various waiting
squads.
A big Swede, a wiry little French
Canadian and slow-moving Pole were
passed.
He nodded CURLY to the next appli-
cant. "All right! Get your card"
And this recruit was he who had
accepted Thomas Henley's challenge.
The latter had already forgotten the
incident, but Mark was still hot with
the determination to prove his mettle
to the tanner
sHe gave his name to the time-clerk
and received his card, also the COM
mand, go with Houlahan's gang"
Thus, he reflected, he had taken the
first step in his campaign Of conquest
he was a private in Houlahan's
squad.
Cit a move on!" Numbered a voice
in his ear. Dye think yez ARE
prathy shtuck in tn ground? March,"
II was the voice of Houlahan. Mark
marched.
Corporal Houlahan had no romantic
amy was of a sort to give his under
lings the realistic point of view.
Here, We Oily"
"Ay bane Johann"
"Ye're Moike, T OF say Ut" beloved
Houlahan. He enlarged upon Johann's
dishonorable pedigree. Dig I'M"
The Swede, the best worker in the
gang, began to shovel in a nervous
haste that added nothing to his eff
cheney. Mark saw the red creep into
the fair skin.
"Shtir 1t up, We Frinch loafer!" the
corporal addressed the next in line.
We're runnin' no barber shop here.
FIR two cints Old bate some worruk
into yez."
1t was tired and sadly fretted gang
the noon whistle relieved. Mark
stretched himself out on the ground.
closing his eyes on the dinner pals
his comrades produced; in his eager.
ness to be enlisted he had not thought
of his midday meal, and he was very
hungry.
He felt hand on his shoulder and
opened his eyes. The Frenchman and
the Swede sat beside him.
"M'sieu ees 'ongree, eh?" The
Frenchman carefully broke a loaf of
brown bread-all his meal-in the
middle and proffered Mark one-half.
I'm t'irsty?" The Swede held out
a bottle filled with cold coffee.
Mark looked covetously at the gifts,
but he shook his head.
"M'sieu ate dat dam 'Oula' an?" the
Frenchman inquired.
II do" Mark responded with fervor.
Dat max fr'en's out of US, Ell? Eat,
m sieu."
Hunger overcame ecruples. Mark ate
the bread and drank the coffee.
Much obliged. was hungry. You're
all right" He paused inquiringly.
Marcel Masquelier." the French
man completed the sentence.
Johann Johannsen," rolled from the
region of the Swede's stomach.
Mark identified himself.
Dat YER good name-Brr-r!" The
exclamation was for the corporal, who,
with the labor boss. approached. The
latter glanced over the excavation.
How many loads have you taken
out?"
"Thirty-nine, sor."
only thirty-nine?" the boss rejoined
sharply. 1T ought to be fifty"
THE dom'd loafers won't worruk."
Houlahan defended himself angrily.
The boss cast his swift appraising
glance over the resting groups.
Its a good gang" he said shortly.
And it's your business to make 'em
work" He passed on.
We'll get it now" Mark muttered.
That Irish bullyll never know how
to get work out of men. Id like to
tell the boss SO"
Johann's face began to work. "Ay
skoll kill Mister Houlahan." came his
slow growl, "mebbe So"