The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-12
MuSIC'S GREAT CHARM
By GEORGE ELMER COBB.

the quiet, unassuming property OF his
deceased uncle for two decades ne
posted UP his one order in all OF eAe
four working rooms Of the plant
1t was: Sing" >,
What does he mean, anyhow
growled well-meaning but surly Jen
Dodson. the foreman. Is there DeV
ter system in any shop along the riV'
er? 'Swear!' would suit me better
when a machine breaks down.
Maybe his advice would be good
for you, then" suggested his assistant
1T doesn't do the youn ssters mucn
good to hear you rip it of when you're
riled, JEFF"
Before another day. however, all
hands in the plant understood the stu
alton clearly. The new proprietor ar
rived-a rather serious-faced young
man, but with a kindly light in his
eyes and a gentle. sympathetic voice
that attracted the eighty odd employees.
The first thing Rodney Phail did was
to call all hands into the main rest
room and make them speech.
He told them that he felt something
more than mere enrichment in being
the favored owner of the business-a
sense of great responsibility. Inc
same conservative business methods
would be followed Old and deserving
employees would be retained. His
great wish, however, was to make OF
them a hapy family. He intended to
build a club house for them, where mu-
! sic, lectures and entertainments could
be held to break the monotony OF their
lives. There would be good library
and gymnasium. These faithful
workmen had borne Sravely the brunt
of the Industrial battle. They should
share in the prosperity Of the business.
Each year twenty-five per cent Of the
profits Of the concern should be dis
tributed equally among the employees.
OF course there was rare apprecla-
| ton evinced at the mention OF this Id
eral donation. Then Mr.. Phail said:
Il have put up sign reading, Sing
I want to explain about that. For ten
years my life has been spent on lone
! ly ranch, taking care as custodian OF a
piece of property in litigation belong
ing to my uncle. The solitude, the eve
ming WEAKNESS after an uneventful
day, the uneventful existence fast
made of me an unsociable hermit.
There was no sweetness In my life.
Then, one day, wonderful bird took
up its home just above my cabin door.
It sang from morning until night. It
filled the air with rare, beautiful mu-
sic, and my soul with delight. When
1t flew away to SUMMER climes with the
approach of winter l missed 1t great.
ly. Then a new idea came to me:
would sing myself. My friends, you
do not know how his companionshil
Of music cheered and refined me-"
This was the text, and further upon
the subject "the new boss" briefly
descanted. He showed them how, es
pecially In the work rooms where the
assembling of the plant was done al
|
ened by music, the vocal organs exer
cised and rhythm, poetry and gooi
cheer eugendered.
There was so much promise to the
plan, the girls especially so eagerly re
sponded to the music suggestion, thai
Rodney decided to go a step further
He advertised In near city newspa
per for a cultured lady to undertake ar
orderly educational SUPPLEMENTARY O.
. group Of sixty young factory girls.
One especially neat, terse and com
prehensive reply from a Miss Mabe
Durant pleased him. A week later tn,
young lady in question arrived upor
the scene with her aged mother. Rod
ney had neatly furnished cottag,
near the works all ready for them. Fo
the first time in his life q woman'l
face attracted him In new way. Witt
IN q week he was ardent In his appro
baton Of the system pursued by tn,
quiet, refined young lady, who entere,
with zest into taking charge Of the cir
workers.
Rodney left all the details Of man
asement and training to Miss Durant
He heard great reports Of her sue
cess, he did not wonder when he me
her daily that she had wound hersel
around the hearts Of the girls. Thel
one day his whole being thrilled as h,
paused In his work to listen to q touch
Ing ballad she was singing in the worl
room. 1t was in the rear work room OF
the fourth floor of the plant. but ever.
note was borne to his wistful hearin,
strong and clear.
Suddenly a jarring crash shut GU
the mellow harmony that SO charme,
him. He turned to view a great ur
heaval Of an isolated stone buildinl
where explosive varnishes were stored
There was blast Of fame. The mai
building had caught. In an instan
dense clouds Of smoke rolled upwards
FIRE."
The direful shout, echoed and re
peated, rent the air. There was
rush from the building. A chill struc]
the heart Of the anxious Rodney as h
thought Of the girls on the fourth foo,
Those narrow stairs!" he gasped
and then. thirty voices strong. Their
came to his ears the steady, risinI
t notes of song accompanying tn
footsteps, as clearly timed a. thouRl
, company Of trained soldiers was O,
the march.
And so. In splendid order, the las
one OF the girls got safely out Of tn
building. The structure was DESTROYED
but soon to be rebuilt.
But not until Rodney PhaN had wo
. loving bride who had sung her ger