Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-23
The tone was insolent. and Adriance
answered sharply, unconsciously
speaking as Tony rather than as

answered sharply, unconsciously
Andy:
You don't know your business
when you propose going that way. Go
down the Jersey side here where the
way is open. and take the down town
ferry, that runs every ten minutes,
And come back by the same route"
who are you the chauffeur
began. but was CURLY checked by Mr..
Cook:
do as you're told. Pedersen, and II
I catch you at tricks like that
Next! Herman get your, truck load
ed and take the same route and time;
do o hear?"
Eyes, sir; but"
Get out, and the two Of you come
in together"
Excuse me. Mr.. Cook" said Adri-
ance. his glance taking appraisal of
the second truck; Herman has a car
go OF heavy stuff. he a hardly get
it unloaded in rs short Q time as Ped
ersen."
The little mar turned on aim
Can't? Can't? They've got to- get
back for second trips"
"Then give him two extra helpers"
Mr.. Cook stared at him through his
s%pectacles, then turned and shouted
the order. When he turned hack. he
dried his forehead and relieved him.
self by a burst Of confidence.
There's a lot of stuff to go to
South America by the boat sailing at
three O'Clock. A rush order, and Just
when we are rushed with other de-
liveries; and Ransome is home sick.
l send out the trucks; 1 don't
know when they should come in %
how they should go. I've got al! my
VI work checking over every ship
ment that goes out, too. It's too
much, it can't be done. The chauf-
fuers are playing me. I know they are.
Look at the stun left over that ought,
to have been got out yesterday. not
the motors breaking down; I know
they are lies; why should half the
trucks in the place break down just
when Ransome is away? But l can't
prove it,"
Why not put a mechanic in a light
machine to go ou to any truck that
breaks down, and then give orders
that any man whose truck stops is to
phone in here at once?" suggested
Adriance.
This time Mr.. Cook regarded him
sAAA a AAii lllSuulC oC4L1uH LJlC
advantage of the other mans atten-
ton. Adriance struck again:
Would o like me to take Mr..
Ransome's place for the day? I
know both cities pretty we'll and +
know your e One Of the other
men a take out my truck; Russian
Mike. for instance"
He can't drive"
II beg your pardon, he drives very
| y-n11. r fa,~k< A:-s --.~~1k -: =
ter"
The little man jerked a telephone
receiver from the wall beside him.
"Mr. Goodwin? Cook, sir. I've got
a man here to fill Ransome's place for
the present: n of our chauffeurs.
sir. Oh. yes! Andy forget his last
name. He's all right. yes. I've got to
have help: can't handle the men, Mr..
Goodwin. All right" thank you, sir"
He whirled about to Andy. In the
brief moments of their talk the con-
Mr.. Cook looked at the disorder
aghast.
go over to Ransome's box" he
snapped; you're appointed; and /
wish you luck! Fire them if they
kick. and you may count on it, I'll
back you up"
Ransome's box was on-a small pier
run out upon the main floor in such
a situation that every vehicle leaving
or entering must pass it and report.
It was rallied around and contained. a
desk, a telephone and a chair. Adri-
ance slipped off his o%vercoat and car
as he walked out on the little eleva-
ton and took his place. The men
lounging about the rooms straighten
ed themselves and stared up at this
new arrival. A little Improvement in
calmness came over the horde at the
mere sight of a figure in the post of
authority.
The inva1ided Ransome was missed
no more. Opportunity had visited
Adriance on the day when he was In
spired to seize it and attuned to ac-
cord with 1t. He and his fellow
chaufeurs had beer very good
friends. but only as their work for the
same employer brought them togeth-
er. None Of them had been SO in
innate with him as to feel his present
position a slight upon themselves. In
deed, they we're a g~ood-natured,
hard-working set, whose heckling OF
Mr.. Cook had been as much mischief
as any desire to take a mean ad-
vantage of the present situation.
There was an authority in Adriance
himself Of which he was quite CON
scious. a personal force that grew