Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-06-12

lnrllt Issued into the raw air, trayersin
the little fir wood swaying in the mornin
breeze, and turning her steps to the pit,
order to summon her father to his mOrnin
meal. There was was an unusual stir abot
the working, and Thrift paused on the fir
knOwe to watch the scene There it lay,
close to her that she could not only dstir
guish the actors, but hear their words
There were heaps of hardened, trample
down clay, sIatey shale and limestone SUI
rounding the smoudering peat fre-ther
the black yawning cavity, in which trea,
ures more potent than diamonds might Ii
buried-there the rude machine that crea
ed round and round, dragged by the oil
grey pony, with his dizzying mechanica
pace, and the crick in the neck he SCENE
to have acquired in his endless circles. =
The whole had IA cheeressness, and a disma
crumbling aspect that seemed to esche,
gam, and to pertain to disaster and decay
and agreed with the cold October sky, an
the Hat VIII ich it overlooked
But in place of the s.ouching, lounginl
! figure or two that awaited on the ascent o
the tub, and emptied its contents, and th
one stationary man that contemplated thei
hbors, there was little knot of excite
workmen, demonstrating against the solta
ry voice of command they yet hesitated t,
disobey.
The Laird stood erect and still, extending
his arm and giving his orders clearly anC
distinctly as ever he had done in his life.
Invoke the pony, and you, Simon Moys
lead him over to ClIygates his winds sail
spent, but his backs no broken, and he'll
supply the place of the guide grey mare that
fell wi the full cart and brake her hough
bane last night the lave cen gang into
the gin, and yoke to the trans, and pull
shouther to shouther till noon'
The men looked at each other rebelllous.
~, ana then spokesman came forward a
pace, and addressed Ringan Cockburn--'1t
may be neebOrlike, Laird, for you to lend n
hand to Claygates wi the corn no in, and
Martinmas nigh, he said, grumbingly. but
respectfully, rs men will respect those who
have self respect written broadly, even in
burrows and bleached hair; and III saw we
would be sweer to resist your bidding, for
you re just master and kind; and some
us have been born and bred on your land:
but to render ourselves brute beasts to
pleasure you, and work out your dreams, is
mar than ony mortals could accord
lhere was an acquiescent murmur from
his companions, followed by a pause The
Laird lifted his hand to his brow, and then
looked IN the rough weather beaten face of
the ringleader with bright, unninchinr
eyes, without contOrtion of passion or
shame disturbing muscle of his own coun-
tenance.
Man Simon he said simply and com
posedlv, yer SO far richt. | would be nee
borlike in the hairst to Clavgates, were it
in my power, but I'm sair Strengthened for
siller: I'm sending off poor Rory, whose
iorb5ar rode when was laddie, no to
help Claysates, but to bring me last
pound note or the coal be found.
Tho men stirred and stared in blank dis
may, and then broke into unanimous out
cry
Gle in, Laird , howk nae deeper; we've
waured ever r-robIe already; the DAYS
dead set against you; ana you'l never licht
a spu1k trde that hole
But the Llird's voice bore down the
clamor, like a trumpet, such rallyinr
sound was IN its daunt,ess words-'Gie in,
when the hard battles fought and victory
won-the fuel that shall blink in our
h"arth-stones and gladden. them. and raise
mair higgins on Wutery Butts than there are
awns on II barley head Doubt Providence.
while he's left ae twis to hing on by Yer
fnlstaen, lads and casting off his coat,
hngan Cockburn laid his own hands on the
poles AS il the might OF his spirit alone
would impel dull wood and rusty IRON
But the men were shamed for moment,
and inspired with common reaction. Ma,
|Al. d. they said confusedly, pushing for
ward, we ii no fail you now We II stick
by you anither day, though we be to replace
Rory; wha kens but this may be the last
bout, and something may be int . and, as
i they been oracles, these rude impulsive
men, while they pulled round the machine
with right good will, faint, hollow call,
'epeated, and prolonged, rose from the pit
mouth. Was it, after all, the proclamation
1t great tidings,-had the last mine been
iriven to vlctory-the planting of the stan
lard on new fields that were to render
lniAvored Watery Butts opulent and
amJus' The men tugged and strained till |
irops started on their toil-worn brows, and |
| strange fire of kildled expectation glowed |
n their eyes. The laird stood firm but |
with tighter contraction of the sagacious
lp, and an unconscious lowering of the white
eyebrows, but how the great heart within
must have painted and prayed
No tub containing the smallest fragment
II the long sought, much coveted mineral,
'hcther IN slaty layers or shining lumps-a
vlIlte scared face, how unlike the harbinrer
u fortune and thanksgiving-a hoarse voice,
alllng out wildly, Row, for Gods sake.
here's twa iorby me, and the sides o. the
nine are cracking Ii Ike the ice on Cambus
och.
The fated words were scarcely uttered,
he tottering feet landed, when a hollow
umblc. like the roar of surf, a muffled, sharp
eport like the crack of a volcy of musket-
y, a conclusion OF the solid earth beneath
eet, cloud Of dust rising from that great
awning grave, and mems hearts quaiing,
bbng Tor second, flowing back in a wall
nd lament OF horror and woe.
Laird, Laird - called Simon Moys, clutch
ng his master by the arm, and confronting
im with dire accusation in his appalled,,
'rathiul face, 'ye tempted the Lord, wha
lad glen us the blaid peat moss and bidden
IS be content, and his curse has fallen for
our sin on innocent heads
Rlngan Cockburn spurned the touch. and
he red blood returned to his white lips
$ he shouted for spade and shovel and
iutched the rope hanging over the pit
louth Much need was there of a lenders
resence OF mind, OF immediate, vigorous
elton; for, work as their comrades might,
'ith the strength IF brotherhood yearning
yer their iate-let the whole country side be
rrestedto relieve their strenuous exertions il
'ould be mirk night before these human bo-
les could be drawn iromthe pile of sand and
tones heaped high above the ground, where
hey struck their picks, living, life-like men
hat morning.
Women with their auttering gowns and
ha"ls, We're appearing on many a mean
erlnS line across the moor, trudglng to
heir work with their pitcuers and baskets,
OhVeying breakfast to husbands and sons
erriby engaged, At the first suspicion of
yil' they locked in, tossing their arms and
Dreaming in sore distress. For, who were
he sufferers What wretched wife or
'other was to find her own in that buried
arr gone forth from them in strength and
ccurity--to win their bread-to shelter
nd cherish them-to be praised or abused
ever more
Lawrie Blair, the wild but good natured
rodigal, whom the Laird had so often for
lyyen, the sole support of the fractious
lllhg mother, who was continually be-
loanlng his sins-and there she was, she
iho had not walked half tho dis,onoa e.. !