Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-24
KATE 1ALTON's DUTY.

faye, sir, it all happened in one night. Do
you ask if any one was killed? Yes; yet thar
might o been great many more but for the
sense and pluck O. the young gal.
you look surprised, sir, but If yer'll sit
down for bit in the shadow of this cid break
er. I'll tell yer all about it, provided you'll let
an old man spin his yarn in his own fashion.
"Wall, sir, yer see this valley is an exhaust
ed coal mine. The coal had been taken ont
O the workin's beneath the spot whar this
cave-in occurred a long while ago.
"Indeed, lsir ther'd been three stories or
veins worked out and abandoned; but in num-
Der three they were diggin' yet, and good
many families were still livin' in those houses
yer see below us. That creek didn't run so
close then, and they were not quite so broken
though they were very old and out of repair
Many of the miners feared cave in, and
those that were able moved away.
bat thar's alters a reckless drinkin' set
bout these old collieries who stay on, or
haven't means to leave. Joe Dalton (the fa-
ther o Kate, the young gal I'm going TO tell
yer 'bout) was one O. the wuss specimens.
They lived in the cabin nearest the creek
whar only the walls are standin'
"His wife died when Kate was twenty. and
lett to her keer baby gal, two little boys and
Mary, who was most twelve. tell YER sir.
Kate alters had hard life; for when Joe was
tired with liquor he was perfect brute, and
mony's the time we neighbors were Altered
that he'd kill her.
THE little uns alters flew to her for protcc-
ton, and she'd take all the blows if she could
save them.
"Joe spent what he earned for liquor, and
to support the family, Kate used to walk two
miles every morning to Mr.. Lawson's Zone O.
come home and toll till midnight over her
own tasks. Mrs. Myers, kind old soul next
| door, took keer of the baby during the day
and Mary looked after the boys.
| You may think this isn't tellin' 'rbout the
accident, but Pm comm to it, SIR You say
you want to hear all about Kate? Wal, sir
she was weary uncommon girl, though thar
was nothin' in her looks to make yer notice
her. She was q thin, tall creetur, with q
pale face, but She had great black ewes that
looked SO sad if any body grieved her, it al
lers made i'm feel sorry. And it's few would
o dared to lll-treat her save her father, for she
had sweetheart who was alters ready to
protect her
HE was great brawny Teller, called John
Pearson. He'd been keepin' company with
her for a good many years, but he hadn't
enough head to marry till arter her mother
died; then she'd alters refuse to leave the
children, no matter how hard he'd coax
Joe lalton took great dislike to this fell
low, and declared he'd punish him if he came
TO the house, or even if he caught Kate with
| him.
About three yosrs ago, one cold afternoon
IN Mafcn, as wds up on that mountain op-
posite AFTER brush to burn, saw Kate with
an old shawl pulled over her head, comm up
Inc path, and knew she was going to meet
John in little resting place by the way; so
crept to bowery spot close by. know what
you think o that, sir; but it wasn't on pur-
pose to hear what they said, but give lem
warnin' if saw her father, for i know'd he'd
| be as good as his word.
wal, sir, I could hear what they said and
| must tell ye, so you'll understand her doin's
afterwards: John was in very good sperrits,
and takin' both her leetle worn hands in his
great fists, exclaimed:
% Kate, I've SIGH good news for yer! Mr..
Jones has offered me position as Iire engi-
neer OF the D amond mines, and I'm goin' to
quit this Monday, and what's more, take you
with me. Yer needn't shake yer head. Ma
rvs old enough to look arter the boys. IN.
let yer keep the baby; theirs no use askin'
you to leave that behind. / shall be able to
give you a nice little home, Kate. Next
Monday night, when yer father goes inter