Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
Too Much EFFICIENCY
by j. E. Rath.
CHAPTER VIII.
A QUESTION OF KEYS.

It was early morning IN the DFlHs'
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 tervor OF
q crusader a strange engine that mad
been affixed to the wall.
AS he stood worshiping it Mary. the
cook. and Elvira, her assistant, enter
ed 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 a short,
sturdy spinster Of middle life. loyal,
opinionated, bellicose on occasion
Elvira, being youthful, was less color
full.
"Ah.' said H. Hedge. 81 was wait
ing for YOU. Observe this. Each morn
ing you will insert key in this clock
SO. 1t registers the time at Whlch you
assume your duties. Each evening.
when you have ceased work, you VIII
duplicate the operation
Fur the love av--'
"No," interrupted Hedge, for the
purpose of recording the exact number
Of hours and minutes you have work
ed during the day. In this way, after
possibly a week, I shall be able TO
determine accurately just how many
hours are necessary In the perform
ance of your duties. shall then fix
stated schedule Of hours, to which you
will closely adhere
Mary studied the clock with close
attention. and then made an equally
careful scrutiny Of the efficiency man
It'll punch no clock, sne SAID.
'But I think you will"
''I'm thinktn' ye're wrong, young
man" she answered dispass1onately.
Eighteen years I've wurrked for Mis-
Their Brooke, and for the missus before
she died, God rest her. punched no
clock for the missus, and I'll punch
mono for yez. I've no time for foolish
ness or palaverin'. Why should be
standin here livery marrnin', wastin'
me time on crazy clock, when there's
wurrk waitin' me IN the htchen"'
TT may very easily result in reduc-
ing 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'm settled woman, re-
spectable an sober. Are We takin' me
fur wan of thin foolish facthry gurrls,
with livery spare penny goin on their
backs. that I'd be punchin' clock
marrnin', noon, an night? An you,
Elvira-'' Mary turned upon her as
sistant with baleful look. I'll have
none av this nonsince, from We, ayther.
There1l be no clock punchin' for you
nor me-"
Elvira was silent, but apprehensive.
There are the keys" said the eff
cheney man, laying them on the the
table. "It's punch the clock or no pay. y
mo pay!" echoed Mary, her voice
rising. Listen, me little man: I'm paid
be the month, on the first. I'll be paid
on the first av mkt month, If God
spares me. Mr.. Brooke niver-"
GAS Mr.. Brooke is away" broke In
Hedge, "and as am the only person
in this house authorized to pay bills
or wages-in fact. the only person able
to- you will see the necessity OF obey
ing my orders. have full authority to
pay, hire, and Are"
Fire, is it," shrilled Mary, her chin
thrust forth. you'll be flrin' me, thin?
Fire away, for all the good yell git av
It! There's no man Twin EXCEPT Mis-
Their 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 regret the necessity,
Of course But shall insist on an OBJ
servance Of rules
Rules" repeated Mary. "Rules an
: Ws1s s , vsy, ' M. r9 ' IT saves sHss
I must know the price av coffee an
tay.' It's FIJI out the Card, Mary;
'tts 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 shtand without washin'.
Thin things have done for We, Mis-.
Their 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
waldn' as the Lord lntinded, dacint
and contint. An We'll punch no DOM
med clock"
''The clock will be punched" said
Hedge. please remember"
An efficiency man, installed with full
authority to reorganize human activi-
ties. always wins That is one of the
fundamental laws of efficiency. 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 at
table.
you may serve, Horace" said Con-
stance.
Breakfast is not ready Miss Brooke"
mot ready?"
mot 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. It was empty. He
assembled the back stairs and entered
the eeryants' 1ivInp-roOm inst inside