The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1944-06-01

why not?"
She knew by the set of his chin
and the CLINT in his eyes, that she
could as easily change the course of
the sWirling river outside, as stop
him.
But, Steve" she pleaded,
holding onto the lapels of his
rough wool jacket, evidence
won't get you anywhere. You're
strong and brave and big, but
Steve, you gotta be smart to get
anywhere. You gotta be smart"
Don't worry, kid, I'm smart
I'm just going to talk to those birds
in language they can understand"
"But, Steve! Twenty-three thou
sand volts!"
But despite her deeply appealing
look she seemed to sense that her
entreaty was of no avail.
Didn't just tell you | was smart?
Well, | amt planning to toast my
self to Cinder with the voltage in
that place" He lowered his voice.
the works. Stop the flow of pulver-
lied coal, see? Flame goes out.
Start the flow again, and when the
furnace is full--the coal ignites from
the hot walls . that's all. No
more furnace. Why, it's just the
kind of thing that's apt to happen
any day, in the best plants. That'll
show EN- Think they can get us
guys TO come down to live in this
hole on the chance that we'll make
enough money to live right some
day. And what do they do? Cut
our pay! Lay men off! Cut our
pay some more, and leave us stuck
in this hole, the dirty-I'll show
'em!'
Steve's face softened as he looked
at his little girl. He lifted a Wsp
of curl on his clumsy finger. The
heavy eyelids stirred a little.
1 went out this morning to tell
your rabbits you was BETTER" the
big man said SOFTLY, "but they was
so disappointed it wasn't you, that
they wouldn't have a thing to do
with me-"
A breath of cold, fresh air blew
into the little room as the door was
opened, and he was gone.
Doc Jones and Ann sat watching
the child in silence as the long hours
dragged by. Her noisy breathing
and the hollow ticking of the clock
were the only sounds.
Suddenly electrified into activity,
the doctor said Get me blanket
on that kitchen table! Cover it with
clean sheet, Put on big apron
and tie your hair back with clean
napkin"
Doc" gasped Ann. "You don't
mean?" Her knees dissolved into
putty
Gotta open up her throat and
put tube in. Sometimes ham
pens in diphtheria. Work fast
there. Boil some water for me-"
He picked up coarse brush and
scrubbed his hands until they
were raw.
Swiftly and silently the doctor and
Ann transformed the kitchen into
an operating room.
Don't worry, Ann" he assured
her. Heart is strong. Got TO get
her some air. Steady now, Ann.
Stick it out. Lose one minute now
and we would be too late!"
patient, his hand steady with the
assurance that he could save the
child with his skill.
Suddenly the light went out! There
was the distant thud of an explosion
at the power plant Only darkness
remained and the smell of strong
soap on linoleum, implanted pine
boards.
Ann crushed the small form to
her, vainly trying to do by sheer
force of will and prayer what sci
ence had no chance to do. Dear
God, she prayed. Dear God!"
And the pain within her numbed her
whole body as though her own heart
had been cut out in that improvised
operating room.
The noisy breathing of the child
and the hollow ticking of the kitch-
en- clock continued for d few min
utes and then there was just the
clock.
Hours later, Ann was conscious Of
cold air ON her face as the front
door was flung oren, Steve's gruff
voice filled the house.
Hi, girl" he called into the
darkness. Done a swell lob,
i all right. Don't tell me ! amt
smart"