Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-19
p vI1I-Continued.

S1fA1 xEAxI
At the other end Of the subter-
ranean chamber where trucks rolled
in and out, piloted by weather-beaten
packages and bales by perspiring por-
tiers. a little man in a derby hat and
shirt sleeves was in command. With
him the matter passed still more
easily for the stranger.
whats your name?" he shrilled
in a peculiarly fat treble voice, across
the uproar Of thudding weight, roll
ing wheels and painting machinery.
ANDY? Well, take out number
thirty-ive. Mike, Mike! Where is
that-that Russian? Here. Mike, you
are to go with number thirty-ive.
Bring your truck in for its load and
there, Andy. Report when you get
back"
A huge figure lounged across the
electric-lighted space toward Adri-
arce; a pair of mild.brown eyes gazed
down at him from under a shock Of
red hair.
II. guess you're new pronounced
the heavy accent of Russian Mike: i
guess l show you?"
II wish you-would." Adriance cor
Fdially accepted the p~atronizing kind
ness. He found time to marvel at
the readiness of his own smile since
last night. and at the response it
evoked from these strangers. II don't
know where to find thirty-ive yet, or
who is the boss"
Il know" announced Mike grandly
comprehensive; you ride with me-,
Andy; IN learn you.'
So Andy Of the trucks began his
education.
A n1otor-truck is not a high-priced
pleasure a r NO is the trucking de-
partment of a large factory profess
sional in it's courtesy. Tony Adriance
learned a great man, things in
breathless sequence. And he never
anything in his life-except his newly
made wife. The men were not gentle.
but they were merry. They shouted
gaily back and forth at each other
with a humor of their own. When
Tony stalled his unfamiliar motor
there was much unpublished witticism
at his expense; but also a neighbor
jumped down to a the machine
for him, and another sprang up to
him a score of valuable hints in a
dozen terse sentences. When he
finally drove up the incline into the
street, he found that Russian Mike
appeared to have a complete map
of the Jersey City river front en-
graved On his otherwise blank intelli-
gence and proved as willingly efficient
a guide On the streets as in the fac
tory. If the difficulties were more
numerous than the novice had an
ticipated and the work harder, these
things were more than offset by the
unexpected comradeship he encoun-
tered.
All day, amid the steady press of
events, the thought Of his wife lay
warm at the core Of his heart. His
love was matched only by his deep
wonder at the thing which had be-
fallen him. The exultation Of success
full escape was strong upon him: es-
simple mind detested. above all, from
the guidance of other people. He and
Elsie were alone as no distance
around the world could have made
them. He had come to a place In life
where he was not a boy to be govern
ed, but master in his own right A
heat Of pride had burned his face
when he had answered Yes" to the
superintendent's question Mar
in the home and the factory of his
first adventure, if possible.
On his first trip he made an excuse
to stop at a stationer's, where he
wrote for himself a recommendation
signed by Anthony Adriance, junior.
The ruse unused him; he found him.
self childishly ready to be amused.
When he brought the truck in from
n last journey Of the day he pre-
who read and returned it with a nod
Of content.
"All right: tomorrow at seven" he
said briefly.
He ached in every unaccutomed
muscle bent to toll when he strobe up
the hill at dusk, his days work over.
But he was no more affected by that
than a boy on his first day OF camp
ing it was part Of the sport. Be-
cause he was learning unselhshness
he felt more anxiety as to how Elsie
had got through the day. Homework
in the rather primitive cottage was a
different thing from caring for Holly
Masterson in his luxurious pink-and-
gold nursery. Would he find her dis
couraged, tired-perhaps cross? He
smiled audacious confidence in his
ability to caress her into good humor,
but he wondered rather uneasily
whether his wages would support q
maid should Elsie demand one rs
necessary. He was utterly unused to
the practical apportionment Of
money.
There were new curtains draped
across the lighted windows of the lit
tie red house. As he turned I'D the
ridiculous plank walk he saw a very
diminutive kitten seated on the win.
dowsill inside washing its face. And
then he heard a fresh, smooth voice
singing the drollest little air he ever
had haoR1 fn ASn