The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-12-07
Written for the CARBON ADvocATE.l
e Old Self" The Miner.
A STORY OF THE
Anthracite Coal Regions.
By w. d. HARRINGTON.
[rONCLUpED FROM LAST wEEE.l
CHAPTER II.

he had him christened with his own name
George Spencer; and, procuring the services
of capable and aimablo governcss, he
brought the boy up as his own.
When Jacob DeCosta made his debut into
the village, George had grown to be stout
active boy, full Of life, was eleven years old
proud of his prestige, and full of mischief.
He was one of the first to note the old mans
funny peculiarities, and was chief among
those boys who would write " Old Self" the
name given him by the miners, upon the
fences by the roadside along which old JAG
OBJ had to pass in going to and from his work
One day " Old Self" caught George ma
king q caricatu~e of him on a wall, in char
coal, and said:
$50 you are the chap who makes all these
funny pictures Of me on the fences, ch %
" No, it is not me who does it all" said
George, proudly "the other boys do it too. "
"Now, see you, youngster," said the old
man, with a significant shake Of his head
that exactly nomported with the expression
on his face, " the day will come-now mind
yoq-when all these pictures which you
have made of me will turn TO ghosts and
haunt you. have watched you and know
what you do. To-day, while at work, l was
thinking of you, and a blue disc gathered
around the light of my lamp. Some day
you will know what this means"
From that day forward George never made
another caricature of old Jacob or wrote his
nickname upon the fences, but he Stunned
feared and hated the old man.
If George had been old enough to have
thought seriously upon this subject, instead
of conforming Jacob peCosta he would have
felt degree of sympathy with him, for he
was as little liked among all the mine help
as was the old man, not only because he was
a proud, over-reaching boy, but because he
was the son, or assumed to be so,of one ofthe
proprietors. Had there lived in the village
none other than the help who worked for
the mining company, George would not have
had real friend among all his school mates
except Minnie, the daughter of the man
who, above all others, he disliked the m ost.
But he and Minnie were good friends from
their first meeting and remained so.
Even she, however, was forbidden to as
soeatc with George by her father, and their
associations were limited to the hours when
they knew he was at work several hundred
feet underground.
In this way five years passed. Old
Self" the while growing apparently more
eccentrical; Minnie, at fourteen, was merg-
ing into carly womanhood, and George be-
gan to feel himself young man. DR.. Spen-
Ger during these years was at home very lit
tie, his various business interests calling him
in different directions, for he was now not
only large ccal operator, but was engaged
also in the iron business, and in the railroads
and other means Of transportation which
necessity bad called into the mining regions.
George had, therefore, been brought up by
his governess, who had shaped his disposi-
ton as it was-gcnerous but proud, impul-
sive but qonsi9erate.
Dr. Spencer remained at home one Satur.
day, apparently with a purpose. Suiting
an opportunity on the street, he met and in
yited Minnie into his library; and when
they were seated he said;
"Well, Minnie, you are almost young
woman. | have not seen much of you fol
two years, although l am aware that you
have, as invited you to do, read my books
and therefore often visited my library, it has
always been when l was away. You seem
to avoid me. Why is it?"
Minnie hung her head. She did not wish
to reply to this and the doctor continued {:
81 have always found you to be very
noble and excellent girl, and have reoiced
when I learned that you made rapid pro,
gress at school, We're proud of a good name
in the village, and were growing into q
beautiful and amiable woman. For some
time have been anXiously studying how
could best do valuable kindness for you
But believe that your father would objec
to anything which I should suggest, other
wise | would propose to send you to the Mo
ravian Seminary, at Bethlehem, and at my
own expense give you thorough and ac
complished education. Do you think hc
would object ?"
"Yes, sir, think HE would" she replied
He does not wish me to be away from
him."
eyes, l know he would" rejoined tn,
doctor. Although am away a great deal
know the breathings of this village.
have made it study to know it for the pas
ten years You will graduate in the higl
school here next term, do you?"
"Yes, sir" answered the girl, whose fac
he had watched with the closest scrutiny.
"And by that time I shall have though
of some plan to do you a kindness"
And, after a few minutes thought, h
added:
You and George have bean play-fellow
and good friends since you have been here
Did he ever tell you that he is only an adop
ted son Of PiEe%
"No, sir" she answered.
"Did you ever hear of it at all?"
" Yes, sir have often heard of it,"
"Did you ever hear any one else tell his
i ofitP'
al have heard the boys at school twit hin
,ofit."
"What did he sayY" asked tie docto
thoughtfully.
" He treated them with silent contempt,
said Minnie, shadow Of resentment flash
ing in her face.
The doctor smiled, and said; al am gla
he did. That was right. But on account
his associations here, shall, in g few day
send him to my brother at Cambridge Mass
where he will outcr the University there an
finish his education. After that he will r,
turn and l shall make him partner in IN
business"
This caused a shadow of sorrow to sctt
! upon Minnie's face which the doctor notice
for a minute, and said