Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1871-08-30
THE MATCHLIGHTER OF ADRIAN.

THE MATCHLlGHTER OF ADRIAN.
The sun had not yet attained its meridian
height above the bare and rugged noun
tans Of Zacatecas, when a man in the garb
ola Mexican miner descended slowly down
narrow and tortuous path which wound
along the side of steep declivity.
Presently wide covered basket became
visible in this direction, with a small hand
grasping il on one side. Then a pretty face,
with a pair of sparkling black eyes, and
two small ruddy lips, parted in q smile of
pleasure and surprise, came into view. Then
followed the erect and shapely figure to
which the pretty face belonged, gayly at
tired. as became a miners wife.
Eaborahuead-in good time, Marga-
rita" said the miner, showing his white
teeth. "I am here before you"
"Yes, in good TRUTH" replied the young
woman, laughing "and | was afraid all
the time that might be too early, and the
tortillas and frijoles would get cold. But
now they will be dinner fit for gov
ernor.n
"How is it that you are so early to-day,
Manuelito 2" asked the female, who watch
ed him with an afectionate smile, while he
was thus satisfactorily engaged.
"Because, my little heart" replied the
young man, 4" there is to be another blast
to-day and the administrator wishes to
have it fred while the men are at dinner"
The smile instantly disappeared from
Margarita's face.
"Santa Maria ~ she exclaimed, "another
blast Oh, Manuel, how long do you mean
to continue in this dreadful duty ?'
until can find better, my life," re-
piled the miner gayly. "Would you have
me go back to my old employment of bar
retero-of simple mner-at six dollars a
week, when here as pegadOr, as the sole and
trusted matchlighter, | am earning six
teen?"
"Alasp returned Margarita, "of what
use will the money be, if it happen to you
as to Pedro Bravo, only three months ago?
All, think see the mangled body, as it
was carried by our cottage, with poor Inc
sta crying over it. And then, there is
Juan Valdez, z,stone-b blind now for five years.
And old Anton, a cripple from his youth.
Of what advantage was their high wages
to them z"
"None, sweetheart" replied Manuel,
because what they won by boldness and
skill they lost by carelessness. If a man
will persist in firing matches when his brain
is smuddled with dqUardiente, he must expect
to suffer for it. However, shall not be a
pegador always. In good time, if it please
San Francisco, | shall be captain of mine
And who knows but that one of these days
may be an ddmini8trGdor-an overseer-
and rich man, as well as others ?"
"To be sure" replied Margarita, eager
". "Why not you as well as Miguel
Gomez-Dou Miguel, forsooth, as he must
be called now! And yet | remember him
when he was only poor bascon-a common
mine hunter, and always in debt to my
father for agWardiente and tobacco. Yet
because he happened to light on good
vein, and sold it to the English company
for ten thousand dollars, and was made
Overseer, he thinks himself now a great
gentleman, and that everybody must give
way to him"
"Poor Don Miguel p said the minel
laughing. "You are too hard upon oul
administrator, Margarita. First, you REFUSE
his hand and heart, not to speak of his dol
lars; and then you abuse him behind hi
back" However, | think his time is up
The English director, Don Jayne, cam'
this morning from Mexico and seems very
much dissatisfied with the working of th'
mine. 1t lis whispered among the men tha
the overseer is certain to lose his place"
"Ah, that is good news, indeed p sait
Margarita, clapping her hands.
The young couple separated with man,
ailectionate injunctions on the part of tn
wife, to which the miner laughingly pro
missed punctual attention.
In the great shed surrounding the pit
Manuel found the English director, Dol
Jayne, the overseer, Miguel Gomez, ant
several clerks, miners, porters, and mule
drivers. Don Jayne seemed to be in
bad humor, and the oyerseer looked blacl
and sullen.
Eahorabuena-in good time, my man,
said the director ave are all ready TO
you; and now let every one here be atten
tive to his duties. There has been to
much carelessness heretofore, particular
IN the blasting. Many complaints hav
been made among the townspeople an
proprietors Of the accidents which occu
here. You, | am told, are a very quick
witted workman" he continued, address
ing Manuel. at is well that we hav
some on whom we can rely"
Gomez listened to this signitican
speech without venturing reply, but b
swarthy face grew livid, and his eye
flashed with baleful fire. Two horse
especially trained to the duty, were no
attached to the machine by which I'll
buckets were raised and lowered in I'll
Shaft, Manuel then placed upon his hea
conical hat, having socket on the to-
which held a lighted candle. He took
one hand small rope, of which IL oth'
end was held by the overseer, and b
shaking which the matchlighter was
give the signal when he was ready
ascend. On the promptituse with whiC
ais ascent took place depended, Of cours
m MS safety from the effects of the explosioi
Manuel now stepped into the buckle
which was slowly lowered down the sha
s,dlstance Of about numbered yards. Tv
drivers, held the horses heads, and waite