The Washington times., 1918-09-20
The PlOtters
A SERIAL OF EAST AND WEST
Talak, Discharged by His Employee
Threatens Revenge if Not
Paid in Full.

face wore an annoyed look and Ne
spoke fretfully.
$50 you have commenced without
me, havs you? It's just as well. for
was kept late, having another
set-to with Talak. There was no
need of everybody getting a eoH
supper on that account
at hope your supper's not eola.
Pa" his wife ventured eoncilief-
ingly
The farmer made an effort 70
speak more pleasantly. glAncing ~
Elizabeth as II to learn what her
mood was.
That's all right. Martha. guess
the supper's good enough anyway.
I suppose, Lizzie. you'll be glad %
know that I've given Talak notids
that he can 60 when his months
up"
The girl replied inadvertently. IL
doesn't affect me one way or tie
other-except that he has fright
ened me when he was drunk Bat
I am on my guard now, and do Tiet
walk on the roads about here
alone"
"welI, II he's all that worrits
you. you can go alone to your
neart's content soon," Amos re-
marked. "Talak's months up q
week from today. but he sweafs
he's going away tomorrow. I9l
make him understand II he does
that he'll not get q cent OF Is
wages"
Butler looked up. surprised. "8lt
you can't avoid paying him up 70
the time he leaves, Mr.. Chaplin"
Legally. perhaps ! can't" tls
farmer admitted with a sly grip
"But the poor fool doesn't knoF
that. There ought to be some ~
to protect employers. II mfn
leaves before his months up he
ought to lose money by It"
Suppose we turn II the other
way around" Butler argued. 'If =
man discharges an employe, should
the employe demand his wages 70
the end of his month"; II
"Of course not" Amos growIed-
you know as well as do that We
can't trust such matters in the
hands OF ignorant hirelings. They'd
impose upon US II we did"
A Poor Rule.
TITS a poor rule that doesn't vdEl<
both ways" Butler observed. ~Wh4t
applies In one case, certainly sko4 "a
apply In the other--tO my way tf-
thinking
The farmer frowued. -Wen, yl
yourself were In favor or my ~
charging Talak a while back de
accused "Yet now you are staHt-
ing UP for him"
Not only was / in favor Of ycpr
discharging TaIak," Butler adniif-
ted, but I disapproved entirely pf
his ever being en- the farm in ne
first place. Still, now that he hs
worked here, and is going away
do not hesitate to say that Ae
should be paid up to the time pf
his leaving
"oh, WELL" Amos pretended tAat
he had not been in earnest n
threatening to withhold the Pot9s
wages, "of course I'll pay ham
what's coming to him. III do the
right thing by him, since I've npt
up with him so long The o4ly
reason I kept him was that / coeld
get more work out OF him for less
money than could out OF any 9th
er man"
II am sure that is true" BIT
Ter remarked dryly. I,
The conversation changed to more
agreeable topics and Butler for
got lit until later in the evening.
when. hearing loud voices down at
the barn, he strolled in that direc-
tion. ID
go tomorrow, then, IL you want
to-" Chaplin was saying angrily, a.
Butler drew near But you'll net
get a cent from me II you do-un-
derstandp'
From the Poles voice Butler
fancied he had been drinking.
"well, IL don't get my money III
get your he shouted. walking to-
ward the barnyard gate
To which threat the farmer re-
sponded by a coarse laugh and an
oath.
Butler returned to the houte
without making his presence known
to either OF the actors in the little
drama. Much as he disapproVed Of
Chapin's policy, he was aware that
in his own heart he was glad the
Pole was leaving.
To Re Continued.