Part 13 (1/2)
”Ti,” said Denis Quirk when he heard of the boy's escapade ”But your wages are raised, not as an incentive to further crimes, but because you have a future before you
Do you ever study?”
”Just a little Miss Molly is teaching ive you a few hours every week You will be an editor some day, Tim, if you avoid the rocks,” said Denis Quirk
That very day Tim came in to Des this, Desmond eyed the youth in surprise: then he burst out in a shout of laughter
”What are you doing that for?” asked Tim, furiously
”I never saw you so melancholy before, Tim What particular sin have you couilt, Tim”
”I suppose you think you're funny?” cried Tiive myself to 'The Observer,' and ruin this blessed old paper”
Desht Cairns from his room, anxious to share the joke
”Let us have it at once,” he cried ”In this strenuous life a joke is too precious an event to be wasted Who h sense of humour,” said Desmond ”Tell Mr
Cairns your awful threat, Tim”
”Yah!” cried Tim, vindictively, ”I'll tell Mr Cairns what I came to tell you, and leave you to wish you knew it”
Therewith he drew the editor into his roo to strike, sir, on both papers, for higher wages,” he said in a low voice
”Who do youthe boy by the name he had especially devised for hi out to stop both papers”
”Tim O'Neill, you are a perfect mine of information Providence was determined to bless 'The Mercury' when it sent us Tim O'Neill Just run away now and ask Mr Quirk if I can see him”
Denis Quirk was at once a diplo the newest development, he hurried away to interview the prospective strikers
”Lay your grievances before ht with justice to the proprietors of this paper, it shall be done”
It was the usual story--higher wages and shorter hours, a larger staff, better paid, with less work to do individually Denis Quirk offered a compromise, but this was refused After half an hour's discussion, he suddenly broke out into a white heat of anger
”Do you fancy I can't do without you?” he cried
The an life as a cootten o, every one of you that wants more But 'The Mercury'