Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-07-15

Two-three-four o'clock and still
the hands travelled along their way.
At five O'Clock, the old man rose and
stared anXiously out upon the road
that led past the great derrfcks of his
oil fields. Here and there he could
catch glimpse of the men, great,
powerful fellows. cheerfully exerting
their muscles to the utmost their
minds centered wholly on the mess hall
and the elaborate supper that had been
prepared for them.
Ira Monroe knew these men we'll.
Among them had he been brought up.
Through their midst had he showed his
great shoulders, commanding them to-
his iron will. Every thought in their
heads had been thoughts which he
himself had felt; every move they
made earned his sympathy. For he
knew. Knew as only the self-made
man can know the fellows he has
passed, but still remains with.
Five-thirty.
He frowned heavily. Was it pos
sible that Payne. knowing the serious
ness OF the matter could permit any
word which Ira Monroe had never
tolerated in himself any more than he
tolerated it in others. Results-that
had always been the foundation stone
upon which he builded.
Tick-tock-tock-
she strokes were pounding at his
brain now. Like blows from a
sledge they were. He clamped his
hands to his ears that he might shut
out the sound of the clock. But still
it mmered-hammered relentlessly,
remorselessly away. And he knew that
there could be no stoping of it,
Five-forty-f1ve.
He shrugged his giant shoulders and
moved out along the road for some
sign of the motor Not even a dust
NlOn6 ab0Un tho oh arinC haat
waves that danced along the way to
the city in the distance. He felt an
irresistible desire to look at his
watch, although he knew what tale it
would tell.
Nervously loking about him he saw
the men Stacking in their labors. One
fellow was tossing a coat over his
shoulders and glancing instinctively to-
ward the little shack from which the
whistle would sound-the whistle call
ing them to a supper that would not
be prepared.
He hustled toward the mess shack.
Something must be done but for the
life Of him he could not imagine what
ii would be. Supper was what the
men wanted and supper was what they
superintendent, the man he trusted
sufficiently not only to put his busi-
ness in his hands but also the happi-
ness of his daughter. And his super
.1ntendent had ralled him.
He Joined Pat Grady in the mess
hall. Silently the two men looked
about them. Tables, chairs, crockery,
food remained as it had been after the
mutiny at the dinner table. Even the
stencil of the mess still hovered over
the hall. He threw out his hands in a
wide gesture of rage and helplessness.
Hell t pay and then some" NUT
tered the foreman.
Monroe started a nod but checked 1t,
throwing up his head like a runaway
horse as the shrill scream of the whis-
tie pierced his ears.
Loud, shrieking. fiendish was the
sound. He did not know what it
might mean. There was no way of tel
ling that. OF consequences he cared
little compared to the broken promise
to his men. Already they were rushing
promised that they would find the food
there which they were entitled to, in
stead of which-this mess.
Before he had time to even talk the
situation over, to reach any conclu-
sion, burly form hurtled in the door
way, followed by another, another, and
then another. Monroe met the star
tied incredulous eyes of the workmen.
Then he lowered his own.
We'll. I'm damn"
He lifted his head quickly at the
threat in the angry voice. If the men
were in this mood already, then. under
full headway, there was no telling to
what extent their rage would take
them. He lifted his hand, his power
full shoulders lunged forward.
Men, I'm sorry" he said. simply.
You know I sent the superintendent
TO town TO remedy this condition. I'm
going to the phone now and see what
can be done"
The growl that went up showed that
his declaration had far from Modified.
He flushed darkIy. his iron jaw creep
ing out.
5Its the first time I've ever had to
Spologize to you men," he snapped.
I'm going to do my best for you now.
I said I'm sorry and I'll phone the
city Immediately. Now, you can take
it or get your time. That's all"
Without a side glance he shouldered
his way through and stamped angrily
into the office, snatching the receiver
from the hook. Swiftly he clicked, his
powerful finger gripping and un-
gripping over the little bit of iron that
spelt so much to him. A step sounded
from the door. He turned to meet the
eyes Of his foreman. then shrugged his
shoulders.