The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-08-24

N<AAAA 4hAuAAAkuIAs 10
year-old western worker, out of a
yIoo, is hoboing his way East to
LOOK Tor work. He finds himself
stranded in a small town, cold and
hungry, and approaches a shabby
mouse for help. Pop, an old worker,
sg first skeptical of the boy S
honesty, is finally won over and al
lows his wife to give MIN food and
shelter. The next morning. how
ever, Cliff is to accompany him to
tne factory in which he works, to
see If he can get job
N the morning Pop woke Cliff up.
Get up, lad. Wen be going up
the shop" he said.
\ Cliff was in no hurry. He stretch
and yawned He lay looking up
tine ceiling, thinking He hadn' :
pped in this town to look for
tx. Why should he go to the
tp? He'd beat it. But when he
gked out Of the window and saw
wind sweeping the snow into
les he asked himself where he
puld go in such dogs weather as
nat. There might not be any work
IN the shop, he figured. That'd give
MN chance to hang around the
mouse till it got bit warmer. The
folks looked to be pretty good
skates. They'd give him a break.
He'd go up with Pop.
On the way they had to dig
themselves through piles of snow.
Pop kept on murmuring: Never
seen so much snow in my life"
The biting wind lashed Cliffs ears
and nose. He walked fast. The snow
got in his shoes. He wished he were
under roof.
In the Office there were about
dozen men waiting for Mr.. Burk.
They sprawled on the benches.
None Of them said anything. They
were silently wagering their luck
maybe they'd get put on.
THE hiring boss came in. He took
off his coat, poked up his
shoulder to fit the Jacket on right
and took his seat at the desk. He
threw glance at the waiting men.
He saw them every day; they didn't
matter much to him. He noticed
Pop.
What are you doing here,
Eddie?" he asked.
Pop walked over to the desk. Cliff
was right behind him.
Can you put this Teller on?" Pop
asked in a low voice. "He needs
Job badly" he added, pointing to
Cliff.
Who in hell gives DAMN Cliff
thought.
Burk scrutinized the shabby look
ing youngster with his small pierre
ing eyes.
We're filed up, Ed" he said, puff
fling his cigar.
at anything" Pop suggested.
Let me see. Maybe I could stick
him in the labelling department"
He opened a book and drew his
finger alongside page of names.
The whistle blew.
TRY to put him on Pop said
ard hurried off.
NJ, Burke turned page after page,
locking for place to put Cliffs
name in. He finally asked: What's
your name young fellow?"
Cliff Mur1igan."
He scrubbed on a piece of paper
and handed it to the office boy.
Take him to Fred, John," he said
and then he turned to the waiting
men. Nothing doing today, fell
lows"
The men were in no hurry to
leave. Their eyes cleaned envo-
ously in the direction Of the hired
young fellow
John walked fast, leading Cliff
' through large, spreading
yard. paved with stones and cross
ing railroad tracks. Cliff caught
sight Of long train of box cars.
He looked at the freight meditativc-
~ till it got lost in a tunnel. They
walked through heaps of wire and
walls of boxes. jumping over
streaks of rivulets of streaming
water. passing by long. red bricked
structures out OF which came
deafening roar. Dense smoke rose
from the tall smoke stacks. They
entered shop number four.
Its for you, Fred" said John,
handing the scrubbed piece of
paper to short, middle aged man
in black overalls. Fred put the new
comer's name in book.
Your number is six twenty-five.
Don't forget Now come on"
Cliff followed him, assailed by a
ceaseless uproar, amid screaming
belts and huge turning wheels,
streaks of wire and a hustle of
men.
Ever worked here before?" Fred
asked, stopping near platform.
Nope" Cliff shook his head.
That's the trouble with them
fellers in the Office, putin on new
men an sackin' 'em the next. An
I got to break 'em in. See that you
put your noodle to the job an no
loafin' aroun'," he beloved. He
turned to dark fellow Of about
eighteen. "Lsntz. show i'm how to
work on the rolls an you put the
labels on"