Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-22

Yet as a matter OF fact. the young
| man need not have been discouraged.
| The people Of all Philadelphia had read
| that afternoon the story OF batting
| jeremiah" as one reporter had eNuber-
| antly dubbed him, and had been enter
| tanned thereby Immensely and moved 10
reflect that young Jerry Archer was
probably quite man. What IS he
| after, WONDER" was the question
many asked. who counted themselves
| very wOrldIy-wise, and so asking, apa-
thetically dismissed the matter from
| their minds.
But there we're those who were in no
wise apathetiC about the tight that
Jerry was making Those were the
tool works whose profits would be in
creased by the completion of the new
factory, and whose personal income was
being Crimped by every day its compile
always read the papers. but every day
they kept reading the sign on top of the
Archer steel works. Every day they
reasoned and argued and complained
The first actual voiCing of what the
ward-foIk felt probably came from Big
Steve, proprietor of a thirst emporium,
and it was made to Danny sullivan,
leader of the voting division in which
SteVe's place of business was situated
whats this" he demanded roughly.
How the devil is it they don't give the
| ArChers their spur-track and let EN-
get to building? Make things a little
NON
knows we need the business"
! "Why. times are pretty good. ain
they" inquired Danny, looking at the
row Of customers at the bar. c.o
Might be better" argued Big Steve,
as he rang up seven beers and a high
ball.
And Joe Giovanetti, the restaurant
man. he too opened up on Danny.
What for you no letta da ArCha man
have da rail-traCk?' Joe inquired:
"Oh, we'll letta him have it all right"
explained Danny, g".ting wiser with
every prod that was thrown INTO MN
it. only Jim Rand has got to get his
first"
"Sure" admitted Joe wisely, for this
idea that somebody must get his graft
was one of those lessons of citizenship
which had been taught him earliest on
his arrival in philadelphia, when he
prosecuted "A bootblack business, carry
ing his stand about in the brass-nailed
box under his arm.
The tone and manner OF Giovanetti
was pensively submissive. but the, look
in his big dark eyes was wistful and
it told Danny something.
Look here, Walt" he said, meeting
Common Councilman Beverly. I'm get
ting kicked in the shins every five min
uteS about that sign up at Archers.
What the blazes is the matter with
Rand that he don't patch that thing up
some way"
at amt my funeral" declared Bev-
erIy with a shrug. Il haven't had no or
ders yet"
But before evening Beverly began TO
think it might be his funeral after all.
So many persons were making inquiries
and looking dissatisfied with his explain
ations that he went down to Select COun-
Gilman Schaff's to talk to him about it.
BY virtue of being Select Councilman,
SChaff was also ward leader. To Bev-
erly's surprise he found his fellow COM
mon Councilmen, Hart and Galloway,
also in Schaffs little parlor waiting for
him TO finish his dinner and a few
minutes later Danny Sullivan came in.
Hello" he exclaimed in some sur
prise at the sight of the others. what's
Same thing all" declared Beverly.
ITS that sign of Archer's."
That's an ugly kind of way of rub
bin a thing in on the ward. now amt
it?" commented Danny. What you
'spose got into that bunch of Quakers?"
"Quakers? They amt Quakers," re-
torted Beverly. They're Presbyterians,
and they'll fight like ladies of hell
which is the Germans little nickname
for the Scotch Highlanders."
But we can't do thing, boys" eX-
planned Schaff when he came in. THE
war is on between these fellows and
Rand and we can't afford to let 'em
win"
I'VE can't afford to let that sign stay
up there another day" declared Hart.
ITS maxim 'em ugly. What do the