The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1878-10-24
KATE DALT0N'S DUTY.

night. Do you ask if any one was kill
ed? Yes, sir /; yet thar might O. been a
great many more, but for the sense and
pluck o one young gal.
"You look surprised, sir, but if yer'll
sit down for bit in the shadow of this
old breaker, I'll tell yer all about it,
provided yer'll let an old man spin his
yam in his own fashion.
oval, sir, yer see this valley is an ex-
hausted coal mine. The coal had been
taken out O. the workin's beneath the
spot whar this cavern occurred long
while ago.
"Indeed, sir, thar'd been three stories
or veins worked out and abandoned but
in number three they were diggin' yet,
and good many families were still
livin' in those houses yer see below u.s.
That creek didn't lun 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 we're able moved away.
"But thar's alters a reckless drinkin'
sci bout these old collieries who stay
on, or haven't means to leave. Joe Dal-
ton (the father 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'.
ellis wife died when Kate was Just
twenty, and left 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 fired
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
protection, 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. the company, sir), to
do their washin'; then come home and
toll till midnight over her own tasks.
Mrs. Myers, kind old soul who lived
next door, took keer O. the baby during
the day, and Mary looked arter the boys.
You may think this isn't tellin' bout
the accident, but I'm comm to it, cir.
You say you want to hear all about
Kate? Wal, sir, she was a VERY on
common giil, though thar was nothin'
in her looks to make yer notice her.
She was thin, tall creetur, with pale
face, but she had great black eyes, that
looked so sad if anybody grieved her, it
alters made i'm feel sorry, And it's few
would O. dared to in-treat her save her
father, for she had a sweetheart who
was alters ready to protect her.
He was great brawny feller, called
John Pearson. He'd been keepin' COM
pany with her for good many years,
but he hadn't enough ahead to marry
till arter her mother died; then she'd
alters refuse to leave the children, no
matter how hard he'd coax.
"Joe Dalton took a great dislike to
this fellow, and declared he'd punish
him if he came to the house, or even if
he caught Kate with him.
"About three years ago, one cold
afternoon in March, as was up on that
mountain opposite arter brush to burn,
l saw Kate, with an old shawl pulled
over her head, comm up the path, and
/ knew she was goin' to meet John in a
little resting-place by the way; so I
crept to bowery spot close by. ]
know what you think O. that, sir; but
it wasn't ON purpose to hear what they
said, but give 'em 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 under
stand her doin's afterwards. John was
in very good sperrits, and takin' both
her le etle worn hands in his great fists,
exclaimed:
$50 Kate, I've sich good news for
yer Mr.. Jones has offered me posi-
tion as fire engineer of the Diamond
mines, and I'm goin' to quit this Mon
day, and what's more, take you with me.
Yer needn't shake yer head. Mary's old
enough to look arter the boys. I'll let
yer keep the baby; thar's no use askin'
yer to leave that behind. I shall be
able to give you nice little home, Kate.
Next Monday night, when yer father
goes inter the'mines with the night.
shift, you jine me on the other side o.
the creek; I'll have a wagon thar, and
we'll drive off and be married. Come
now, Kate darlin', think how long I've
waited
% John, 1 can't, can't 7 she cried. .
tryin' to draw away her hands.
"But the foolish feller thought he'd
scare her into goin' with him. SO he
said, l tell yer, Kate, it isn't safe for
us to stay. Thar'll be a terrible cave. in
here soon, and the houses will ali 90
down together. The quicker we're ont
O. this hole the better
sat this she drew away with shiyer
and replied, in trembling voice.