Some, using their hats as screens, looked over the rims.
When the bids were being gathered up by the clerk, Dennis Quigg
handed over McGaw's. The ease with which Dan had raised the money
on his notes had invested that gentleman with some of the dignity
and attributes of a capitalist; the hired buggy and the obsequious
Quigg indicated this. His new position was strengthened by the
liberal way in which he had portioned out his possessions to the
workingman. It was further sustained by the hope that he might
perhaps repeat his generosities in the near future.
At twelve o'clock precisely Mr. Schwartz, a round, bullet-headed
German, entered the room, turned his revolving-chair, and began to
cut the six envelopes heaped up before him on his desk, reading
the prices aloud as he opened them in succession, the clerk
recording. The first four were from parties in outside villages.
Then came McGaw's:--
"Forty-nine cents for coal, etc."
So far he was lowest. Quigg twisted his hat nervously, and
McGaw's coarse face grew red and white by turns.
Tom's bid was the last.
"Thomas Grogan, Rockville, S.I., thirty-eight cents for coal,
etc."
"Gentlemen," said Mr. Schwartz, quietly, "Thomas Grogan gets the
hauling."
VIII
POP MULLINS'S ADVICE
Almost every man and woman in the tenement district knew Oscar
Schwartz, and had felt the power of his obstinate hand during the
long strike of two years before, when, the Union having declared
war, Schwartz had closed the brewery for several months rather
than submit to its dictation.
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