Connecticut western news., 1871-08-25
THE MATCHLIGHTER OF ADRIAN.

The sun had not yet attained its meridian height above the bare and rugged noun tains of Zacatecas, when man in the garb of Mexican miner descended slowly down a narrow and tortuous path which wound along the side of a steep declivity.
 Presently wide covered basket became visible in this direction, with a small hand grasping it on one side. Then pretty faee, with pair of sparkling black eyes, and two small ruddy lips, parted in 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 miners wife.
 Enhorahuena-i good time, Marga- rita" said the miner, showing his white teeth. 1 I am here before you" .at "Yes, in good truth" replied the young woman, laughing "and I was afraid all the time that I might be too early. and the tortillas and frijoles would get cold. But DOW they will be dinner fit for gov ernor." - -5.e..,.t ..-.. s.. "How is it that you are so early to day, Manuelito ?" asked the female, who watch . ed him with an afiectionate smile, while he was thus satisfactorily engaged. = Because, my little heart," replied the young man, 6 there is to be another blast to-day and the administrator wishes to have it. fired while the men are at dinner" The smile instantly disappeared from Margarita's face. ~"
 "Santa Mariar' 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 miner-at six dollars a week, when here as pegGd0r, as the sole and trusted matchlighter, 1 am earning six teen ?n
 "Alas n returned Margarita, "of what use will the money be, if it happen to you as to Pedro Bravo, only three months ago? An, think see the mangled body, as it was carried by our cottage, with poor Inc sita crying over it. And then, there is Juan Valdez,stone-blind now for five years. And old Anton, cripple from his youth. Of what advantage was their high wages to them ?' --i f.t af ...-.
 sNone, sweetheart" replied Manuel because what they won by boldness and skill they lost by carelessness. If a mar will persist in firing matches when his brain is muddled with dguardiente, he must expect to suffer for it. However, shall not be g pegador always. In good time, if it please San Francisco, I shall be captain, of mine And who knows but that one of these days may be an adnliaistrador-an oyerseer- and a rich man, as well as others 2"
 "To be sure," replied Margarita, eager ly. "Why not you as we'll as Migue Gomez-Don Miguel, forsooth, as he must be called now! And yet remember hin when he was only a poor 5uscoa-a common mine hunter, and always in debt to my father for dguardiente and tobacco. Ye1 because he happened to light on goot vein, and sold it to the English company for ten thousand dollars, and was mad, overseer, he thinks himself now grea gentleman, and that everybody must giv way to him." 7.'.f '. t."'g'
 "Poor Don Miguel!" said the mine laughing. !" You are too hard upon ou administrator, Margarita. First, you refus his hand and heart, not to speak of his dol lars; and then you abuse him behind hi back" However, I think his time is uE The English director, Don Jayne, cam this morning from Mexico and seems yer, much dissatisfied with the working of th mine. It is whispered among the men tha the 'overscer is certain to lose his place."
 ''Ah, that is good news, indeed !" sai Margarita, clapping her hands. .s
 The young couple separated with man affectionate injunctions on the part of tn wife. to which the miner laughingly pro missed punctual attention. '"E F'@-6
 In the great shed surrounding the pi Manuel found the English director, Do Jayne, the overseer, Miguel Gomez, an several clerks, miners, porters, and mul' drivers. Don Jayne seemed to be in bad humor, and the oyerseer looked blac ahd sullen..
 Eatorabuenu-ip good time, my man said the director. aWe are all ready fI you; and now let every one here be .attel tive to Lis duties. There has been tt much carelessness heretofore, particular been made among the townspeople ar proprietors of the accidents which occ, here. You, am told, are a,very quicl witted workman" he continued, addres ing Manuel. " It is well that we hay some on whom we can rely"
 Gomez listened to this significal speech without venturing reply, but swarthy face grew livid,. and his ey flashed with baleful fire. Two horse especially trained to tbe duty, were no dIJdCueu tO IIl0 U1dCLIHe Uy "ulCu Il buckets were raised and lowered in Il shaft. Manuel then placed upon his he, conical hat, having socket on the to which held lighted candle. He took
 one hand small rope, of which u , oth end was held by the overseer, and shaking which the matchEghter was
 give the signal when he was ready
 ascend. On the promptitude with whi his ascent took place depended, of cour his safety from the effects of the explosic Manuel now stepped into. the buck which was slowly lowered down the sh distance of about hundered yards. T. drivers, held the borses' heads, and wait in anxious silence for the signal fr' Gomez. All was still as death in galerd.