[CHAPTER VI]
It was late in the spring following the enlistment of Halpert McCormack and Ben Barriscale in Company E. Ben’s father, for whom the boy had been named, was well satisfied with his son’s predilection toward military service, and looked to see him make rapid promotions. Mr. Barriscale was still favorably disposed toward the National Guard. As president of the Barriscale Manufacturing Company he was a large employer of both skilled and unskilled labor. There had been times when differences of opinion between him and his employees had reached the verge of a strike, with possible violence and disorder looming up in the distance. Such times might occur in the future. No one could tell. If they should occur, and if there should be any serious outbreak, an outbreak beyond the power of the local police or the state constabulary to quell, then the safety of a half million dollars’ worth of property might depend on the prompt and efficient action of the soldiers of the National Guard.
It had been demonstrated, time and again, that the military are always masters of the mob. This fact may have accounted to some extent for Mr. Barriscale’s interest in the state militia. And his favorable attitude toward Company E was doubtless largely due to the further fact that his only son was now a promising member of that organization. Be that as it may, when he entered Captain Murray’s office on an ideal June morning in 1914 it was with a most favorable predisposition toward the company of which the captain was the commander. It was also with a due sense of the importance of his errand. But Mr. Barriscale’s errands were always important. As the head of the greatest industry in the city of Fairweather, he was, of necessity, one of the city’s leading men, and he was not averse to being recognized as such.
It was his habit, in matters of business, to waste no time in preliminary or needless conversation. He was by nature as blunt and direct as Captain Murray was politic and suave. He might therefore have been expected to go at once to the purpose of his visit; but, for some unknown reason, he apparently desired, on this occasion, to approach it by degrees.
“I am, as you doubtless know,” he said, “a firm believer in the National Guard. I consider it one of the most important arms of our state government.”
The captain replied courteously: “I have understood that to be your attitude, Mr. Barriscale; and of course I fully agree with you.”
“And possibly,” continued the visitor, “you will recall the fact that I was one of the contributors, I may say the largest contributor, toward the fund raised by the citizens for the purchase of the ground on which the State erected your armory, and president of the local Armory Board.”
“Yes; I remember that circumstance and your service with gratitude.”
“And since my son has been a member of Company E, of course my interest in your organization has greatly increased.”