Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08

| the room and made his way back to the
Idining-hall, where the three Brookes
were in whispered consultation with
Horace.
Where Is our breakfast" demand.
ed Billy. rising at the entrance of the
efficiency man.
apparently it is on the knees of the
GODS" answered H. Hedge placidly.
Are they eating it?"
Hedge ignored him and turned to the
butler
Horace, do you understand anything
about time-clock?'
'1-er-Ive seen them. sir"
Don't say 'er its meaningless"
Very good SIR
Can you punch time-clock?'
II think so, sir"
There Is one in the servants hall.
Go out and punch it, in behalf of Mary
and Elvira = for this time only. Here,
after, they will punch it themselves"
Yes, sir"
The efficiency man took his seat at
the table and smiled blandly at the
three Brookes.
They did not smile at him.
Whats all this stuff about time
clock?" demanded Billy.
1T concerns us, If We can't get any.
thing to eat"
BE patient"
Patient! Say, Mr.. Efficiency Engi-
neer. I'm as patient as anybody-but
I'm hungry. So is Connie. So is Alice
We want breakfast
H. Hedge viewed Billy Brooke with
x1o
"A little fortitude," he counseled,
rs requisite part of character Gull
tivate it,
"Oh. fine! But little breakfast has
got fortitude by ten lengths. I want
my grub"
Initiate your sister; she is not
complaining"
Constance turned a scornful glance
at the efficiency man.
Her morning gown was particularly
charming; the flush in her face even
surpassed it. H. Hedge carefully noted
both.
ut l omitted to complain she said
coldly, II do now This is abomina-
ble!'
and your" inquired Hedge. turning
to Alice.
cts f1erce!"
The author of the time-clock was in
nowise dismayed at the discouraging
attitude Of the three Brookes.
"A slight temporary inconvience."
he said, will result in a permanent
benefit to us all. am putting this
house on business basis AS soon as
the servants are accustomed to the
new system there will not only be an
absolutely prompt service of meals,
but all other functions will be perform
| ed with fidelity and accuracy"
Il want my Strawberries snapped
Alice.
"Prunes' corrected H. Hedge. This
is prune day"
Alice made an awful grimace.
You're prune yourself she said
sullenly.
ALICE"
It was sthe voice of Constance, who
felt that the colloquy was becoming
undignified.
The entrance of Horace diverted the
attention OF the efficiency man.
Did you punch the clock for Mary?'
"No, sir"
"Why not?'
Ell beg pardon. sir. Mary will not
allow me to punch the clock, sir"
H. Hedge frowned
Had my orders, didn't YOU"
Eyes, sir; but"
Horace coughed and shuffled his
feet
But what?"
well sir, you see. Mary is-er-
beg pardon. Mr.. Hedge-but-Mar
Horace paused again.
well sir. Won see. Mary is-er
II would like to ask, sir if you are
we'll acquainted with Nary
81 do not enjoy that honor"
Then. sir, perhaps you will not I'M
derstand. But MAXWELL. Mary saws
she will punch the clock herself, sir.
or 1t will not be punched at all"
Send Mary here!"
Horace disappeared quickly.
The three Brookes exchanged
glances and became expectant.
When Mary entered the dining-room
her round face was moist with perspir,
alton and her arms were folded re-
olutely across her ample bosom.
SIS the clock punched yet?' asked
the efficiency man.
Its not"
do you know how?''
81 do not
81 sent Horace to punch it for you,
for this morning only He says you re-
fused to allow him to do So
81 did"
why"
Mary took step forward and came
to a second halt. Her cold, blue eyes
met the glance of the efficiency man
without culver.
Me little man." she said It's We
thot towld me I'd be punchin' the
clock mesilf. An against the hour
punch that clock. there'll be no break.
fast. The rules an regulations are none
av my maxim 'Tis We yersilf invinted
thin. An I'll have no Englishman but
Ter tellin' me how III be putin KEY
in timeclock. No, nor no Eyetalian
furnac man. ayther."
H. Hedge viewed her without emo
ton. but the three Brookes were dis
PLAYING lively interest.
II did not ask Giovanni to help YOU
remarked the efficiency man.
AN tbs mercy for him. I've done