Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1872-07-20

pulling out his watch. "It's little NOR,
than three-quarters till you meet, anc
you not dressed up. Make haste, anc
give over the shop to Morgan, and come
with me. ! expect to hear you sing un
til you make my heart dance again"
"No, indeed, Mr.. Griffiths-no, in
deed, sir. I'll not sing to-day, nor to
night" said John, quickly and not &
little thickly.
" Why-what has got into youl
pipes, John ?" asked the old man
kindly.
Pipes ?-oh, anything but good
tunes is in my pipes, Mr.. Griffi tbs
Will you please try pair of sand
shoes2 You spoke about a pair last
week"
NO, John, no; Pm not the man for
such light wares, when | think about
it. But the singing, John-you don't
mean to say you are not going to join
tonight? Why, | should miss you out
| of The March Of the Men of Harlech
as good as hundred Of the best men il
didn't hear your beautiful voice.
Indeed, Mr.. Griffiths, and you are
very good, and kind, and civil always,
and | wish every body the like OF
YOU" replied Phillips, in comforted
tone.
as it cold. John ?' asked Mr..
Griffitls.
No, indeed, sir; it was more of a
heat that | took" answered John, suf,
fciently Modified to smile a little at
his joke.
"Took a heat? oh-what, little
milf, | doubt--a little atfront some
where?"
"Not little atiront, Mr.. Owen.
Haven't | been laboring my best to do
credit to the singing, and never kept
from practice, and was | to be told
before everybody that sung fiat and
put them all out?" cried John, red in
the face and greatly incensed.
" Who put that on you, John ?" de-
manded Owen, calmly.
"No other than him who knowed
best it was nothing but spite, and envy,
and jealousy; Richard Hughes it was.
the leader of us, who thinks his own
cousin, Rice Hughes, is better tenor
Let them put him first. | hope they'll
be sorry for it,
$50 he :aid you sung flat, did he q"
asked Owen.
eyes, indeed, Mr.. Griffiths," said
John, rather staggered by Ovens hear
ing Of the atfront so quietly.
Well, we'll shouldn't have thought
he'd have the courage to do it, seeing
the value your voice is to them. | shall
always respect Richard for it, John; he
has shown himself true friend You
have only one fault, and he has told
you of it-you do sing flat ?'
John looked down demurringly at the
sand boots, and said nothing.
Come, come, put it by: get cool Of
this heat go to the practice, and keep
up your voice, go as to show them"
No, indeed sir, no ~ interrupted
John, very decidedly, for he had been
sent into flame by Mr.. Grittith's unex-
pected approval of the atfront.
Well. man well, take your own
way" said Owen we'll make no more
to do about it; but the loss of your
tenor will make the Men of Harlech'
halt in their march. Well, which way
do go to see Morgan Is he in the
wareroom? ri speak to him about the
strap, for he'll do it, and it'll be better
l give him my directions.
L.
Gritfiths," said the shoemaker, who
looked still more vexed.
How long has that been ?'' asked
Owen, who knew the circumstances and
all concerning it very we'll.
"Since Tuesday, sir; he got notice
from me then; yes, indeed"
Eh but he was such a workman"
said Owen.
"Indeed he was but he had an ugly
temper and he got hot when | found
fault and you know, Mr.. Grfiiths, |
was the master, and knew my own
business best
"Surely, surely so he went, did he ?"
eyes, indeed, and in a terrible pas
sion, to-
Very foolish of him-regular work,
good pay, large family"
ayes, indeed; very foolish" said
John.
daresay you are sorry p
and if | would go to the singing, |
couldn't leave the shop" said John.
You'll have him back ?'
81 wouldn't humble to hi1n for it, in
deed, Mr.. Griffiths; if he won't hear q
word from me how can | work with
him ?"
Very true; people shouldn't be SO
touchy when they are wrong they
ought to confess it, and not quarrel with
those who tell them of it,
Yes, indeed,' said Phillips, looking a
little foolish, as he turned over the
boots and shoes.
Pm sorry for his family I'll 90 and
speak to him, if you like ; maybe he'll
promise to be well-tempered in time to
come; | daresay he would be glad to
come back. Shall say you will over
look it if he does ?"
Yes, indeed, if you please, Mr..
Grltfiths, sir, and I'll be greatly obliged
to you; for he knows the business, and
he's as honest as the day-and, indeed,
| have a wonderful miss of him but
you won't make too much of that, will
you, sir?
" Leave me alone, John; Pm a pru-
| dent man, and you may trust me- said
| owen, going off toward Morgan in his
shed-like house in Vulcan street.
He was not long away he returned
pulling up the street, for he had. warm
work for warm day and a stout man
like him. "All right, John; Morgan
owns he was too quick it is fault with
us ala Welchman is half pepper he
says he will come back and stay if you
don't lay hard on him, and he hopes to
be civil-behaved in future
- You are true friend, Mr.. Griffiths,
and Pm forever obliged to you," said
John, with tear very near his eye.