Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-10-11
TOO MUCH
EFFICIENCY
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY.
BY r. J. RATH.
Author of When the Devil Was
Sick" "One- Cylinder SAM" etc.
A CLEVER SERIAL STORY

"A n efficiency man, installed with |
~ full authority to reorganize hu-
man activities, always wins. That is
one of the fundamental laws of eff
cheney. So it happened that H. Hedge |
won in the matter of the time clock.
He was not however, aware of his
victory until eight o'clock. At that
hour he was seated in the dining room,
and the three Brookes were also ut
table.
"You may serve, Horace, said Con-
stance.
Breakfast is not ready, Miss
Brooke"
mot ready?"
Not cooked yet, miss.
The voice of Horace was unemo-
tional, but there was a meaning in the
glance he bestowed upon Hedge.
The efficiency man, without a word,
rose from his place and went down
stairs to the kitchen. 1t was empty.
He assembled the back stairs and en-
tered the servants living room. Just
inside the door he paused and listened
to the sob choked voice of Mary.
"Thry 1t agin, Elvira. IT'S shame an
sorrer an the work av the divil, but
thry! IT'S an hour gone now an no
kittle on the sthove. Haven't We the
thrick av it yet? Don't be answerin
me, but thry. I've tried until me fin
gers are achin' an there's no since in
me head.
"Thry or Til be fired. An 'tisn't the
job I'm carin' about but the three dear
childer thotll be starrvin' an perishin
would Misther Brooke say, comm back
an findin' a shtrange woman feedin
the poor darrlin's9
"Thry it agin, we fool Are we thot
clumsy Here; give over the key, an
I'll thry meself. May the divil fly away
with a clock like that"
But the devil did not fly away with it,
despite the earnest prayer of Mary
Monahan an what for the want of
meal. Instead, he backed out of the
dining hall, where the three Brooks
were in whispered consultation with
Horace.
where is our breakfast ," demand
ed Billy, rising at the entrance of tho
efficiency man.
Apparently it is on the knees of the
gods, answered H. Hedge placidly.
Are they eating II?
Hedge ignored him and turned to
the butler.
Horace, do you understand any
thing about a time-c lock?"
'I-er-Tve seen them, sir"
Don't say 'er'-its meaningless"
Very good SIR"
Can you punch a time clock ?"
i 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. Kere-
after they will punch it themselves
Yes, SIR
The efficiency man took his seat at
the table and smiled blandly at the
three Breokes.
They did not smile at him.
Whats all this stuff about time
clock?" demanded Billy.
ut concerns the servants"
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"
| II. Hedge viewed Billy Brooke with
glance of ill-disguised pity.
"A little fortitude," he counseled,
lis a requisite part of character. Gull
| tivate it,
"Oh, fine! But a little breakfast has
fortitude beaten by ten lengths. 1
want my grub
Initiate your sister; she is not
complaining"
Constance turned scornful glance
at the efficiency man.
Her morning gown was particularly
charming the flush in her face even
surpassed it. H. Hedge carefully not
ed both.
IF l omitted to complain" she said
colby. II do SO now. This is abomin-
able!"
And your" inquired Hedge, turn
Ing to Alice. !.
ITS fierce!"
The author of the time clock was in
nowise dismayed at the discouragins
attitude of the three Brookes.
"A slight temporary Inconvenience
he said, will result in a permanent
benefit to us all. l am putting this
house on a 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 per-
formed 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 a prune yourself" she said
sullenly.
"Aliee!"
i 1t was the voice of Constance, who
felt that the .colloQuy was becoming
undignified.
The entrance of Horace div erted tbs
attention of the efficiency man.
did you punch the clock fol
Mary7" he asked.
mo, SIR
j why not?"
"Er-I beg your pardon. sir. Mar,
will not allow me to punch the clock