Argosy All-Story Weekly, February 5, 1921 — page 98: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

384 : superintendent won’t bother about you. But he’s afrakl of Big Tim, I can tell that. I don’t wonder, for he knows already that Tim’s the real boss. I know 1’d hate to have him get anything on me.” ‘Gets the work out of all of us,’ Will Brady spoke up. ‘“ That’s why they keep him. Talk about your slave-drivers! But I got an idea he’s sort of soft on this new boss. Ain’t cussed him out yet.” ‘Big Tim soft on him! Why, you must be crazy! Don’t believe he has a soft spot in him.” ‘“T know you’d never think it. Well, cool off. We're going to have a night of It in this heat. Don’t try any funny business with the new superintendent, or you may Jose your job.” ‘Never you mind. 1’ll ix him and keep my job, too. Big Tim ’Il stand by me any day.” Sullivan straightened boastfully and swaggered into the shop. Within the office Billy White, the new superintendent, was getting ready for his night’s work. He was a tall, slender fel- Jow with kindly, blue eyes, and yellow hair which waved in coarse, thick curls. He was smooth-faced, and although he was 1wenty-five years old he looked twenty. The time spent in the office over a draft- ing-board had given him a stoop which concealed the fact that his shoulders. were strong and muscular. He was standing by the window, watching the men come into the yard. The manager was sitting at his desk. ‘Well, how goes it, Billy?” he asked. His face was hard, but his voice and man- ner not unkindly. ‘: There’s a long, hot night ahead of you. Been having any trouble with the men2”’ “No, not exactly trouble, but things don’t go as I should like.” “It’s not an easy job, [ know, but you've only been in the shop two weeks. Foreigners seem to like you. Not so many Jeft since you’ve been here at night.” ‘Oh, the foreigners are all right. They will stay if you treat them Jike human beings. But it’s the town men—the ones who know me—-who make the trouble. They sneer when I give them orders and ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEERLY. laugh when |} turn my back.. They don’t exactly disobey, but they’re just ugly.” “Get rid of one, for an example, then the rest. ll come around.” * There’s just one I’d like to get rid of, and that’s Big Tim, the rivet boss. I can’t stand him. He’s a great brute—scarcely even human. Curses and drives the men from morning to night.” The manager’s face hardened. ‘ That may be, but remember we want some one to drive the men,” he said. ‘‘ He may not show human qualities, but he’s the best rivet boss we ever had. I wouldn’t lose him for any ten men in the shop. What did he do to you?” ‘Oh, nothing in particular; but I can’t stand him. He watches every move I inake, and he’s got my nerve with his bru- tality. He’s the leader, and while the men fear and hate him, they’ll do as he says.” ‘“You’ve got to learn to drive the men, too. Swear at them once in a_ while. They’re used to it and don’t understand anything else.” ‘“ There’s too much cursing around the shop now. I believe that’s what makes the men so ugly. I hate it.” ‘They all feel like that at first. This Is a regular man’s job, and you’ll learn. Take a few lessons from Tim. He’s a brute, but he gets work done.” “ Queer, but dad wants me to make lriends with him. Says he went to school with cm although Tim never speaks to him now.’ ‘Oh, yes, | went to schoo] with him,, too. He was a queer sort, ugly to look at’ and sullen and backward. The boys were always quarreling with him. Your father never did, though. Used to take his part, and I remember that once he beat a boy: for teasing Tim.” ‘“ Dad says he always pitied him because he never had a chance. Went into the mill at twelve. He certainly doesn’t need any « pity now, for he isn't afraid of anyone.” The manager got his hat. ‘‘ Well, I’m going. Wish we could lay off, but this: rush job must be finished. Try to smooth. Big Tim down if he gets ugly. I can’t! aiford to lose him. Look out for trouble a night like this.” comicbodks