The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1914-06-06
|NE'ER-DO-WELL


terranean explosions; then geysers Of
muddy water rose in the air. Under
the shouts Of the steam shovels "dobe''
shots went off as powders were riven
into smaller fragments. Now and then
an excited footing Of whistles gave
warning of bigger blast as the flag
men checked the flow of traffic, indi-
ground was Coming up" Thereupon a
brief lull occurred; men hid themselves,
the work held it's breath, as 1t We're.
But while the detonations still echoed
and before the flying missiles had
ceased to- shower the human ants were
moiling at. their hills once more, the
wheels were turning again; the jaws Of
the: iron hogs were :clanking. =. ::
Through this upheaval the motorcar
penetrated, lodging trains OF ""dats,"
which moved sluggishly to afford them
passage up and down over the volcanic
burrows at the bottom of the gorge
or along some shelf beneath which the
foundations were being dug. At times
a shovel reached out it's five yard steel
jaw and gently cleared the rails OF
debris, or boosted some bowlder from
the path with all the skill Of a giant
hand and fingers. Up and down the
canyon rolled spasmodic umblings, like
broadsides from a fleet of battleships. ::
Mile after mile the sightseers rolled,
on. past scenes of never varying ac-
tivity-past more shovels, more groups
of drills, more dirt trains, more regi-
ments of men-Runnels explaining,
Kirk marveling until he was forced to
exclaim:
II had no idea it was so big. It
doesn't seem as If they'd ever finish.
it."
ooh, We'll finish it if we're let alone.
You see there is too much politics in
it; we never know how long our Jobs:
will last. If some senator whose vote
is needed on an administration matter
wanted my position for his wife's
brother, he. could get it, =. 49,:
II suppose I'm an example"
Runnels looked at him squarely be-
fore answering. "You are" said he,
"although I wasn't thinking of you:
when I spoke: =, It's something we all
feel, however"
Anthony flushed as he answered.: IT
don't remember ever taking anything
wasn't entitled to- and"l didn't think
when I was showed in here that I'd
shove some other fellow out. suppose
there is room at the bottom, and a fel-
low can work up?''
IF he has it in him.
II think I'll start there, >,
I'm afraid you're poor business
man." said Runnels. ,,-,,
/ "Rottenv' Kirk admitted. "But I've
an idea can make good If try"
If you feel that way certainly will
help you.." said the other warmly: "of
course I'll try to help you anyhow, but
Il like your spirit With Mrs. Cort-
landt to back me up. III see You 20
forward as fast: as you deserve"
By now they were out Of the cut and
once more upon the main line at Bias
Obsipo, heading back toward the Pa
cif1c. :,
you asked me to tell you. something
about her." Runnels continued. I'm
not sure my information is entirely
correct, but, knowing who she is. I
think I understand why she is in PAN
ANA. It is politics-big politics. The
Spiggoties have an election next year,
and 1t is necessary to get our wires
well laid before it comes of. General
A1farez will probably be the next pres
tuent,' IT, z56j b -:,...,..
""Alfarez! Not Ramon - ss Il s
His father. You know we ,Ameri.
cans occupy q peculiar position here,
set down as we are in the midst Of an
[ alien people who hate as Oh, they