The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-09-25

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 again7
Blair complied. Look here" ne
added boyishly. Pm taking chance
on you, because you looh and taih
intelligent. Are your"
Mark admitted II.
Then prove IT. I want to make ~
record on this job and 30 you've got
to. Houlahan," Blair added. didn't
and he loses his job Seer
Mark saw.
In the morning Honlahan reported,
happily unaware of q new order OF
things.
"Houlahan," Blair announced casu-
ally. "Truitt will take your gang to-
day"
Houlahan glared inadvertently at
Mark.
And wherell OF go7''
you can take Truths old place-or
quit" said Blair curtly.
MY GOD!
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 frank liking
for his new lieutenant.
At first Mark saw only vast spec
tacular chaos; 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. 1t
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 system
rather, marvellous system of sys.
TENS that worked with a single pur.
pose, each unit fitting precisely into
the ordered whole.
"God!" 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
half-naked troop that with hook and
tongs worked two-ton ingot over the
rolls.
What is it? What's happened?"
Blair looked around for an accident to
explain the ejaculation.
Nothing. was just thinking how
how big it is" Mark laughed at the
feebleness of his words. What would
you give to be down there?"
There is such thing as luck. A
man-himseh 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 So" 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. 81 don't
just place you. Where have / seen
you before?"
Mark flushed at the recollection.
Il took letter had for you and
you caught me-"
so you're Peeping Tom. chr Did
you get job?"
Eyes, sir. With a pick-and-shovel
gang. I'm boss now"
Henley seemed not unduly i'm.
pressed.
He's the man that dug the new
oven BEDS Blair interposed gener.
ously. He did 1t In two weeks and
three days"
Two weeks and two, days." Mark
corrected eagerly.
$50 long?" Henley continued indif.
ferent.
II had spoiled gang. 1t took a
week for me to shape 'em up"
"Humph! That's what we paw
bosses for. We gave you credit for
that job, Blair"
Il took him out of the gang and pui
him on the job. But he did the work
He knows how to get work out OF
men"
And that was high praise-the yery
highest, Henley thought. He turned
again to Mark.
Are you satisfied with your iob?"