p things for them
to do. I'm a mechanic, you know, and fortunately I have my hands and
my memory, and years of training. I've been superintendent of a
factory; electrical work, phonographs, and all kinds of instruments
like that were my specialty. But, they don't want an old man back
there, now. Too many young bloods with college training and book
knowledge. I couldn't superintend much work now--this wheel chair of
mine is built for comfort rather than exceeding the speed limit."

Burke drew him out, and learned another pitiful side of life.

Burke's new acquaintance was an artisan of the old school, albeit with
the skill and modernity of a man who keeps himself constantly in the
forefront by youthful thinking and scientific work. He had devoted the
best years of his life to the interests of his employer. When a
splendid factory had been completed, largely through the results of his
executive as well as his technical skill, and an enormous fortune
accumulated from the growing business of the famous plant, the
president of the company had died. His son, fresh from college,
assumed the management of the organization, and the services of old
Barton were little appreciated by the younger man or his board of
directors. It was a familiar story of modern business life.

"So, there you have it, young man. Why I should bother you with my
troubles I don't quite understand myself. In a hospital it's like
shipboard; we know a man a short while, and isolated from the rest of
the world, we are drawn closer than with the acquaintances of years.
In my case it's just the tragedy of age. There is no man so important
but that a business goes on very well without him. I realized it with
young Gresham, even before I was hurt in the factory. They had taken
practically all I had to give, and it was time to cast me aside. As a
sort of charity, Gresham has sent me four weeks' salary, with a letter
saying that he can do no more, and has appointed a young electrical
engineer, from his own class in Yale, to take my place. They need an
active man, not an invalid. My salary has been used up for expenses,
and for the living of my two daughters, Mary and Lorna. What I'll do
when I get back home, I don't know."

He shook his head, striving to conceal the despondency which was
tugging at his heart.

Burke was cheery as he responded.

"Well, Mr. Barton, you're not out of date yet. The world of
electricity is getting bigger every