Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-10
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY.
BY r. ]. RATH.
Author Of When the Devil was
Sick" "One-Cylinder SAM" etc.
CHAPTER VIII. (Continued)
A Question of Keys.


r was early morning in the living
room allotted to the servants of the
Brooke household. But the efficiency
man was there. He was always early.
He was viewing with all the fervof
of crusader a strange engine that
had been affixed to the wall.
AS he stood worshiping it Mary, the
cook, and Elvira. her assistant, en-
tered, on their way to the kitchen. or
Mary it Is useful to know that she had
been employed in the Brooke family
for eighteen years. She was short,
sturdy spinster of middle life, loyal,
opinionated, bellicose on occasion. Ell
vira, being youthful was less colorful.
"Ah," said II. Hedge Il was wait
ing for you. Observe this. Each morn
ing you will insert key in this clock
so. 1t registers the time at which you
assume your duties. Each evening,
when you have ceased work, you will
duplicate the operation"
Fur the love aV-"
No" interrupted Hedge, "for the
purpose of recording the exact number
of hours and minutes you have worked
during the day. In this way, after pos
StDiy d "Vch, SHaii NC uplc " uSIcI-
mine accurately just how many hours
are necessary in the performance OF
your duties. l shall then fix a stated
SCHEDULE of hours, to which you win
closely adhere"
Mary studies the clock with close at
tention, and then made an equally care
full scrutiny of the efficiency man.
"Tll punch no clock" she said.
But think you will"
I'm thinkin ye're wrong, young
man." she answered dispassionately.
Eighteen years I've wurrlSed for Mis-
Their Brooke, and for the missus before
she died. God bless her. I punched no
clock for the missus, and I'll punch
none for yez. I've no time for foolish
ness or plavarin'. Why should be
standin' here livery marrnin wastin'
time on a crazy clock, when there's
wurrk waitin me in the kitchen?"
at may very easily result in reducing
your hours of work." observed Hedge.
Am I complainin' about me hours?
Whose business are me hours, EXCEPT
me own? Is anybody kept waitin' for
breakfast"
That's not the point? What am
trying to get at"
Don't thry," interrupted Mary.
"Tis useless. I am a settled woman,
respectable and sober. Are we takin' me
fur wan of thin foolish facthry gurrls.
with livery spare peeny goin on their
backs, that I'd be punchin clock
marrnin,' noon, an night An you, Ell
vira--" Mary turned upon her assist
ant with a ba1eful look IT have none
q Cd
There'll be no clock punchin for you
nor me-"
Elvira was silent, but appreciative.
There are the keys" said the eff
cheney man. laying them on the table.
It's punch the clock or no pay"
No pay!" echoed Mary, her voice
rising. Listen, me little man: I'm
paid be the month, on the first I'll be
paid the first av mkt month If God
spares me. Mr. Brooke niver-"
As Mr.. Brooke is away" broke In
Hedge, "and as l am tho only person
in this house authorized to pay bills or
wages-in fact, the only person able
you will see necessity of obeying my
orders. ! have full authority to pay,
hire, and fire"
Fire, is it ?" shrilled Mary. her chin
thrust forth. You'll be firm me. thin }
Fire away, for all the good yell git av
it! There's no man livin' EXCEPT Mis-
ther Brooke, can fire me. Mind thot,
now!"
IF you mean that you cannot be
elected from the house., remarked the
efficiency man evenly. you are quite
mistaken. / should respect the neces-
sity, of course. But l shall insist on
an observance of rules"
"Rules!" repeated Mary. Rules an
regulations! IT'S rule this an rule that
Tis walk this way. Mary: it saves
shtips.' tbs Write this in book,
Mary; / must know the price av coffe
an tay.' 'Tis Fill out the Card, Mary;
It's needful fur me to keep thrack av
yer conduct An I'm writin' in books
an film out cards whin It's me that
should be cookin'. An we've got Elvira
thot crazy with Itinerary wurrk that
| the dishes sthand without washin'
Thin things have I done for We, Mr..
Hedge-thim things, but no more! I'll
walk in me own way as long as me ould
legs carry me. An Elvira, do We be
walkin' as the Lord intended, dacint.
and contint. An we'll punch no
dommed clock"
THE clock will be punched" said
Hedge. please remember"
(To be continued.)
Pacific hotel dining room now open