The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 116: what you’re looking at

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

308 THE BUNKEL MYSTERY. ‘You can call it what you please; and I shall do the same. Andy did leave your son, as he had a perfect right to do.’’ ‘“He had no right to desert my son, and it was mean and treacherous for him to do so; andin upholding your son, you areas guilty as he is !’’ retorted the furious magnate. ‘We differ in regard to the quality of my son’s action, and I most heart- ily uphold him in leaving Mr. Phineas under the circumstances,’’ continued Mr. Lamb. ‘‘ On the second point, Andy did leave Phineas to go to the assist- ance of Miss Singerlay.’’ ‘‘Miss Singerlay !’’ exclaimed the mill owner, in the most contemptuous manner, for it went against his grain even to hear the daughter of his rival spoken of in respectful tones. ‘‘She is Singerlay’s daughter, and that was reason enough why Andy should not go near her. You caunot serve God and the devil both.’’ ‘“ That is very true, sir; and for that reason I shall serve God,”’ replied the machinist, bowing his head as though he had made a point. Mr. Barkpool boiled over with rage as this remark pricked him, and he darted off to the other end of the room in the effort to contain himself. But he immediately returned, and placed himself in front of the workman, who had pluck enough to speak his own mind. ‘“ You can’t serve Singerlay and meat the same time! ‘That is what I mean,’’ gasped the enraged speaker. ‘‘ That is what I supposed you meant ; but which is God and which is the devil?’’ asked Mr. Lamb, as cool as a man could be, for he had put his anger behind him. ‘* You are insolent, Lamb !’’ ‘“ If I am insolent, what are you, Barkpool?’’ ‘‘ Phineas ordered Andy not to leave him,’’ said the magnate, when he found that the machinist could use as strong language as he could himself. ‘“He did; and Iam glad that Andy had the spirit to disregard him. There was a young lady in the hands of a miscreant, who took her boat away from her and insulted her. When she called for help, your son was a coward, mean and contemptible, that he did not heed her call,’’ said Mr. Lamb, in a slow and emphatic manner. ‘‘I am proud of Andy because he did not heed Phineas’ order, and went to the assistance of the young lady in spite of him. I am thankful that he did not ask whose daughter she was ; and I hope when your daughter is in danger of insult and outrage, she will find a champion who will do the same without asking who her father is.’’ Mr. Lamb concluded his rather long speech, and the magnate did not immediately make any reply. In fact, he seemed to be overwhelmed by the argument of the honest machinist, especially in its reference to his own child. ‘I see that it is no use to talk any more about this matter, Mr. Barkpool ; and Andy and I will retire before we are kicked out-of the house,’’ said Mr. Lamb. | ‘‘T discharge you from my employ, and you will move out of my house at once !’’ growled the mill owner, choking for utterance ; for it had been many (e(0) =) a IDOOKS 3