The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-10-06

s0A ~ ny AuASA oNCA " you ySu
want It,"
Bill glared at Fred suspiciously. but
,, the latter met his eyes SO frankly that
his misgivings faded
"Wot is IT." he demanded.
Fred looked round cautiously.
"Listen!" he whispered. Father
| used to work under Mr. Fulton, and
he told me about him. He's a per-
feet crank on that new alloy, nickel
steel. When he comes round tomor-
row say something to one Of the boys
about nickel-steel alloys for something
, or other-rivets will do. Say it 80
he'll hear you. and he's dead sure to
take notice
If you get another chance. say
something else about it-that 1t would
make rivet-heads mash better, for in
stance. Do this two or three times If
| you can, and he's safe to pick you.
He can't help it. Nickelsteel is like
! whisky to him. You'll see."
Bill nodded slowly.
I've heard of nickel.steel," he de-
clared. But l don't know much about
1t. I'll try what you say, but"-with
sudden fierceness-"don't you try no
tricks. Fred Faxon. If you're givin'
me the wrong steer, you better look
out for yourself; that's all"
That afternoon Casey, the foreman.
scratched his head reflectively as five
OF the six youngsters to whom he had
spoken declined the job on one plea
or another.
so yourselfs the only one who
, wants to go, is it, McSween?" he pom
dered. We'll. it's no fault have to
find with your work, and I'll tell Mr..
Fulton SO If he asks me. But l mis-
doubt but he'll be wanting more than
one to choose among"
The next morning Casey was taking
Mr.. Fulton over the building. From
one gang of riveters to another they
went, watching the work of each. AS
they came near Bill McSween, that
individual was passing rivet down
to the bucker.up.
SAY" he remarked loudly. Say,
these bolts don't hold their heat. see!
II they'd put some nickelsteel In them,
bet they'd do better"
The bucker-up stared; but Bill noted
that Mr.. Fulton had stopped and was
regarding him closely, and felt en-
couraged. A few moments later. when
he came back with another rivet and
found the superintendent still watch
ing him, and listening earnestly the
while to something that Casey was
saying, he was delighted.
Them bolt-heads would mash better
II they had some nickel-steel in 'em. !"
he observed to the gun-man, who al
most dropped his tool in his amaze.
ment.
Unheeding. Bill was about to follow
up his words with another remark,
when he saw Mr.. Fulton nod to Casey
and start rapidly away.
WELL" he muttered to himself, 81
got in two good ticks at him, anyway
When the whistle blew for quitting
time, McSween looked round for Fred
but did not see him; SO he hurried
down the ladders, eager to know his
fate. Casey spied him coming. and
called him over.
Step into the office, McSween." he
ordered. land get your time. Ill not
be wantin' you any more"
Bill stiffened with amazement.
DO l get the Chicago job?" he de
manded.
Job? Nav! An It's little likely
you are to get one till you get ovel
, that fool crank Of yours about nickel
steel. Where you picked up that ROT
l dunno"
Picked it up?" he yelled. Me!
Wait till find Fred Faxon, and IL
, show him where picked 1t up"
Fred Faxon, is it,"
A slow grin dawned on the Irish
mans face. He thought he saw an ex
, PLANTATION Of the thing.
And what's Fred Faxon been say
ing to your" he demanded. Jaw! tel
me now. want to know"
Furiously, Bill explained. When ht
had finished. Casey laughed long an(
r loud.
Faith, it's the best joke I've heard
for many a day, so it is," he chortled
DO you know what Faxon did? HI
! come to me this mornin', an he says
says he: Mister Casey says he. I'm
, sure we all like McSween and wan
/, him to get that Chicago job says he
so l want to ask you,' he says, not Il
{ mention nickel-steel to him when Mr.
' Fulton is round.
e 1--WE known Bill for years. say,
he, and he's plumb crazy on nickel
steel. He was In the crazy-house To-
a six months once. says he, for tina
e very thing; and he's liable to have t
60 back, II he gets excited about 1t
!, The doctor says 60, says he.
5 That's what Fred says; and then h,
y goes off, an it's little thinks abou
t It till you begins to talk about nickel
v steel; an then l saw mighty plaiI
that l couldn't put crazy man of OF
!. Mr.. Fulton, nor kape him workin
| hero either. and So"