Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-08-05


also given him many friends.
Herman Clark was an Englishman
iroma district where he had superintendent
coal mining for many years before com
ing TO this country to better himself, a:
he expressed it, in the mining regions o
Pennsylvania. lie was giant in stature
and in heart tyrant of the most brutal
description. His Office of superintendent
gave him opportunities Of oppression and
exercise of power, OF which he availed
himself to an eXteut that had excited
Gardiner Forsylhe's active Indignation.
Being the youngest member OF the
company, though holding much OF its
money power, Gardiner Forsythe had at
first taken lower seat in its.council. and
allowed what he had deemed older and
wiser heads 10 take the lead in the
arrangement OF the mining interests.
But in little time his very youth and
vitality asserted themselves above tho
easy going ways oil his seniors. and little
by little. the really active management
of affairs fell under his direction. Young.
ardent. and generous. with his tair be.
trothed 10 stimulate him by her smiling z
sympathy in every noble venture, he had
set himself the difficult task of improv-
ing the condition ol The miners. intro
ducing all labor-saring possibilities. ar
ranging Tor botter provisions. improving
the houses where three or tour families
clustered under one roof. and "upsetting
things generally" Herman Clark declar-
ed. al every meeting of The managers.
lt was not u matter OF surprise that
the working portion OF the community
turned to Gardiner Forsythe for redress,
from every tyrannical or unjust decree of
the bIrly superintendent, and that the
latter cherished every interference OF the
former rs personal affront But blood
is SO easy to s.aIt, so hard TO subdue. and
the courtesy of the younger man had but
little effect in so6ening the anger OF the
older one.
Ii WAS one OF Fannie Germaine's de-
lights to join hands with her lover in ev-
cry kindly act amongst the grimy miners
and their families. Were babies i'll.
Gardiner drove Fannie TO the cottage of
the sufferers. Were any old people call
ed away from earth, Gardiner took Fannie
TO console the mourners, or 10 carry
few flowers 10 dress The coffin. Was
family lett without the strong arm that
had earned bread to put in The chldren'S
mouths. Gardiner and Fannie helped 10
send widows home. or 10 find work Tor
willing hands.
Rough men, whose blackened faces
looked more demoniac than human.
would mutter heaIty "God bless you!"
when the low, open carriage containing
Gardiner ForsYthe and his pretty fdncee
passed them. and little children were
quite sure of cake or few candies
whenever the little carriage stopped at a
cottage door.
But over all her happiness, all her
pride in her betrothed. all her deep. pure
love for him. there hung cloud, that
Fannie felt grow darker and thicker as
the days passed on. II had been whisper
eel. low at first. but gaining loudness as
such reports will. as time passed on. that
Gardiner Forsythe in his management of
the mining matters, WAS pusillanimous
with regard 10 Herman Clark. More
than once in some warm discussion the
young philanthropi.t had seemed TO
shrink from any physical demonstration
Of the burly giants strength, and. while
holding his point firmly, was somewhat
too mild in speech while defending his
course. yielding minor points. and making
personal concessions. and it had come 10
pass that the superintendent hal talked
somewhat loudly Of this power of in
timidation he held. till even Fannie had
heard some of his boasting speeches.
Woman like, the girl adored bravery.
She had looked up TO her stalwart lover
rs one who would defend her in all life g
struggles by his phys power, as well
Us by that mental superiority she saw
with the sweet, winsome humility OF a
true woman. though she herself was
above the average of her sex in intellect.
ual resources. Every word OF deiraction
of the man she loved reused her to
vehement defense. yet she wept i'll Sc.
oret many bitter tears.
ut would lower Gardiner TO have an
open quarrel with Herman Clark" she
would say. when Fred, her only brother.
with the valor of seventeen. sneered at
her lovers cowsrdice. "He is 4 gentle
man aud is working for the miners real
comfort and happiness. 1t would injure
him TO condescend to notice Herman
Clark's impertinences."
'Ie is afraid :" Fred would mutter,
and escape to avoid his sisters wrath.
leaving her very wrathtul indeed, but
withal very sore hearted and sad.
Affairs were in this unpromising con.
dition, when Gardiner Forsythe proposed
TO the other members of the company 10
give the miners aud their families a
grand picnic TO celebrate the Fourth OF
July" opening their own purses to defray
a portion of the expense. and proposing
to have their own wives and children in