"That will cost you two weeks pay and no raise for two years. Hell, you might as well quit. You won't make it that long," Mr. Hickory tells the worker. He then turns to Red Jones and laughs. Suddenly and at the same time they both see John walk up and they simultaneously stop laughing. They realize that John has seen the whole episode. "What do you want?" Mr. Hickory snaps as he settles himself back on the keg.
"I wants to work" John says earnestly.
"Ever work a coal mine before?" Mr. Hickory asks
"No Sa." John answers simply.
"Then what makes you think you can work at this one?" Mr. Hickory asks.
"I knows how to work, Sa. I was born to work, "says John.
"Born to work. That's no qualification, "Mr. Hickory snarls.
"Well Sa, then I best be on my way. "John says this as he turns and walks away. He knows, however, that they are interested in him. He knows he will not get very far before they realize that they need him as much as he needs them.
"Wait. You ain't one of those coloreds that will take to causing trouble are you?" Mr. Hickory asks. Mr. Hickory knows that by sheer size alone John will be an asset. If John is anywhere near as strong as he looks he will be of great value to Mr. Hickory. John turns and looks at Red Jones then looks at the fallen worker still struggling to regain his composure or to stand and recover from his recent beat down. "Trouble don't start wit' me and I won't start wit' it," John says.
Mr. Hickory chuckles, "All right I'll give you a chance. Job pays fifty cents a day."
"I'll take two dollars a day," John says evenly.
"What? My best men only make a dollar twenty five." He stops himself knowing that he has given out too much information. He looks side to side to see if anyone has heard him.
"Sa, I'm ya new best man. If'n I don't work much as three men can in one day I'll work for you for free for two weeks. Now if I do then you pay me my wage in full," John says earnestly.
"You got yourself a deal son." Mr. Hickory says. He knows he is getting the better of this deal
and is excited. "What your name is?" he asks with a chuckle.
"John." John says plainly.
"What's your surname?" Mr. Hickory asks.
"Sa?" John asks confused.
"Yes, yes your last name. What is your last name?"
John looks into the sky. No one had ever asked him that before. Then it hit him what his sur-
name should be. "HENRY" John said with pride. "My name is John Henry!"