Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-02-12

Ibore. and when the nature Of that
news became known generally the
much-relieyed Workmen. the working
women. and even the basket girls and
lbundIe-boys throughout the plant, be-
came instantly demonstrative OF great
JOY.
The first cheer, that which 2
Incredibly interrupted ,CIara's inqul-
Esition of Broadway On the subject OF.
his friend, was followed by another
and another as the news spread. a
gradual cessation Of the grinding roar
which was apparent, ever in the ONCE
building. when the plant was operat-
ing, showed that here and there
and everywhere machines were being
stopped by those who wished to leave
them SO that they might hear the
news.
The ofhce-building group stood spell
bound, listening. None knew what had
occurred. They might have been
alarmed had the uproar been less I'M
smistakably enthusiastic.
What is it," Mrs. Spotswood asked
lexcitedly.
81 don't know" was Josie's answer.
Clara certainly knew nothing of the
nature of what might be happening,
and none was further than Broadway
from a guess that what he had told
Higgins, In a sentence wherein anger
very freely mingled with the news of
his determination to retain and OPP
ierate the gum plant, could have been
accepted as good reason for such a
really notable demonstration Of the
joy of gum makers.
It was the judge, at this instant,
busting in, who made the situation
tclear to them.
Great Scott" he said, aglow with
genial satisfaction. Talk about ex-
icitement! The whole plant is in an
Iuproar."
What is it judge?" the owner Of
the plant inquired. &
why, didn't you send a message out
there by Higgins"
"Er-yes, / did,"
well, that's what they're cheering
tabout. The men are yelling themselves
ihoarse and the boys are dancing with
joy" The judge was beaming like 3
full moon with gray tufts of hair above
its ears. you'd think Bedlam had
broken loose. They're yelling for you,
broadway. Come out and let them see
you"
Broadway was in a state Of panic, Of
blue funk, of sheer, unspeakable af-
fright. He ducked and looked about
as if endeavoring to find that avenue
through which escape would be easiest.
mo; not now, please" he begged
..pItifully.
They might have let it go at that
had not the cheering within the. works
broken out afresh.
Listen to that" the judge adjured
him, and urged him with q happy hand
upon his elbow.
His wife went to his assistance. ooh,
do go out and say something. Broad
way!"
Yes" the judge insisted, come and
make a speech"
81 can't say anything" said the mis-
cradle and frightened Broadway. IT
never made a speech in my life!"
Josie, smiling gently, turned from
them. When again she faced them she
held in her hand the paper she had
thrust so recently into that sacred,
secret place. Read this to them"
she suggested.
He took it, but he did not see whence
il had been extracted, although Mrs.
t;potswood did. The eyes Of matrons
of her age r alphabetically attuned
to signs of this sort, seeing them when
Others miss them. She smiled at
Josie, Josie caught her eye and blushed
ifuriously.
ooh, come on" The judge now took
a irmer hold on him. ct will make
them all feel good"
His faithful wife went to his aid.
She took the other arm Of the acutely
miserable youth, and between them
they propelled him from the room,
through the short length Of q wide
hallway stacked on either side with
boxes full of chewing gum already
packed for shipment, through a breath
lessly hot engine-room, and into the
main room upon the factory's ground
floor.
Their appearance was the signal for
an uproar of applause. The loudest
CAS0E1uS I'll Tic pISN1OuS OuIDOESt Was
surpassed SO notably that, by COMPARE
son, it had been whispering. In the
enthusiasm of the moment men, wom-
en- and the younger workers Of the
sorce lost all sense Of reserve.
Broadway ceased to be that terrible
thing, a new and untried boss, who
must be looked at carefully, addressed
with caution and regarded with re-
spect made up principally of fear. He
was young; he had been fair to them;
he was their economic savior.
They went mad, and, at first permit
ting him no opportunity to make the
speech which he SO feared, seized him
as If he had been the winning player
at a football game and bore him round
the great room of the factory upon
their shoulders.