The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-09-15
The
Wreckers
By
FRANCES
LYNDH


For ersmples the three men at my
table IN the BuIiard grill-room-they
didn't know me OF who I wAs-knev
that q council of war had been called
IN the railroad headquarters, and that
Ripley had been pulled IN by wire
from Lesterburg. and that we were
rushing along hurriefiy 10 provide
storage room for the wheat shippers
In case of tie-up. and that we were
arranging 10 distribute rnilroad com
pany coal in case the tie-up should
bring on a fuel famins-knew all these
things and talked about them.
They were facts. as far as they
went--these things The boss hadn't
been idle during the forenoon. and he
kept up the drive straight through TO
quitting time. Word was brought IN
during the afternoon by Tarteil that
the Hatch people were wiring the
Kansas City and Omaha employment
agencies and placing hurry orders for
strfke.breakers. The boss answer 10
this was peremptory wire 10 our
passenger agents AZ both points 20
make no rate CONCESSIONS whatever. OF
any kind. for the transportation OF
taborers under contract. II was a
@hrewd little knock. Labor OF that
kind IL mighty hard TO move unless
II can get free transportation or low
rate of fare, and could see that Mr..
Norcross was hoping to keep the strike
breakers away.
when six O'Clock came, the boss
asked May TO stay and keep the office
open while I could 20 down-stairs and
get my dinner In the station restaurant
and he went OF up-town--to the club
suppose. After I'd had my bite. I
iet May 20 Everything was moving
ali right. so far as anybody could see.
We had Ave extra fuel trains loading
nj the company's chutss at Coalville,
and the dispatcher was Instructed to
work them out on the line during the
night. distributing them to the towns
that had reported shortages. They
were not 10 be turned over to the reg
ular coal yards they were to be side
tracked and held for emergencies.
hr, Norcross came back about eight
O'Clock. and ! gave him my report Of
how things were going on the line.
A little later Mr. Cantrell dropped In,
and there was quiet talk about the
situation. and what II was likely to
develop The Mountaineer editor was
given all the facts. except the one
big one about Hatch's death-grip on
Us. and in turn Mr.. Cantrell promised
the help OF his paper 10 the last ditch
though. OF course, he had no Idea OF
how deep that last ditch was going to
be. ! had lot OF filing and indexing
10 do. and kept at work while they
were talking. wondering all the time
n the boss would venture TO tell the
editor about the depth Of that last
ditch" He didn't guess he thought
be wouldn't until he had TO.
II was pretty nearly nine O'Clock
when the editor went away. and Mr.
Norcrc>s was Just sNing to me that
be guessed we'd better knock of for
the night. when we both heard a step
in Mays room. A second later the
door was pushed open and a man
came in. making for the nearest chair
and finging himself into II as n he'd
reached the limit II was Colllng-
wood lie was chewing on dead
cigar and his face was like the face
of q corpse. But he was sober.
Naturally. I supposed he had come
20 make trouble with the boss ou Mrs
sheila's account. and | quietly edged
open the drawer OF my desk where
I KEEP, Pred Mays automatic. so as
20 be ready. He didn't waste much |
time
Il saw YOU as was coming away |
from Kendr1ek's last night be be- |
gnn. with hckering raSp In his voice |
~Did you 50 up against the gun had |
loaded for your
Mr.. Norcross cut straight through 20 /
the bottom % that little compiler /
ton 81 a single stroke.
~What Mrs. Colllugwcod said 20 me. /
OF Nhat l NAid 70 h~r, can nave DO 4
possible bearing upon anything tha;
you may have to say 20 ne. or that 4
! can consent 70 listen 70. Mr.. Coiling 4
wood
TIE dereiiet sat up m his chair
-Bnt ycu've 20; q keen hands OF /
'ust The sane az Kendrioks and IN
this other business. too n you don't +.
there = rolnE 70 he blood on the
mooni Get neT"
Tie boss never batte1 an ere I'm 1
taking q for granted that ycl are
sster. Mr. Coilinguood be said II
you arr you must ssrely know that
thrsats are sboaf the poorest possible
~eapous yoa can use tust nos
-Ifs 3 plant from start q finish, z