Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-10-10

been haDgin' round fur q week, but
couldn't git no chance ter speak with yer
sides 1 was 'fraid yer might be sortel
stuck up like.''
''Sit down, Jim, and tell me about your
SELF" en- go
"'Taint much to tell" he said, in de-
predatory tone. "Marm took her own life
soon arter dad'ssmash.up. She had thu
tremins, but she want 'sponsible, the
parson sed. Then Marin Becker TUX me
and she moved up here. She boards some
men and I does the Chores
"It's a pity, Jim, you can't get some
thing better to do. You will let me hell
you, will you not 2"
His face frightened.
Eyer say ysr1l do somethin' fur me p
s'With all my heart. You can come to
my lodgings and willketisome clothes fol
you"
''No, no. said he, blushing a fiery red
81 amt no beggar, sir.''
what can do, said I. impatiently.
II thought-no, well, kinder. sor-
ter wished yer'd-"
A long pause ~
"Teach me little." -2f assaa
He retreated to the door Us if were 60
ing to strike. s,n.s..
''Of course will, my boy. Wen begin
this very night ~
tNorp SnnSn ndv sn.H~I
after night he pored over his books, and in
a wonderfully short time learned to read.
Then I followed with arithmetic and gram
mar, and used to read to him OF great
men and their noble deeds. His favorites
were Franklin and Washington, especially
the former.
''He were poorer than me, but want he
splendid 2" Jim would say, with glowing
cheeks.
The winter passed; March came, and
the school was finished. but Jim and con-
tinued the lessons, as the mine survey that
was to take charge of would not begin
for month. 9a
One day he came in with a bright face.
''Jest think, Boss, I've got good sitter
walton, an I'll git money, too 2" sa
whats the sitervation, Jim ?" said I,
handing him chair. He perched ginger
ly on the end of it, folding his arms in a
way that reminded me of the night in the
tumble-down hut by the canal. btt
cts a meul-driver on the canal" said
he, proudly, II gifts dollar week, an
my victuals-"
II am very glad, said I, wishing could
do something for this Independent mite.
but he always refused my offers. elbow
will you get on with your lessons?''
81 kin study on the track when I'm dri-
vim, and evenin's too.
This was our last talk, for he departed
for Philadelphia early the next morning.
The mine was going to survey was very
pleasantly situated; in fact. the only draw
back was the character of the miners, who
included in their number some "Mollies."
had the misfortune to offend one of
these men knocking him down for striking
his child.
~ wac NOA0 IA VAO DVAOouS 0uu uO k0v0
the poor girl such brutal blow that my
blood boiled. He cursed me and muttered
threats, which often would occur to me as
I walked through the quiet streets at dusk
smoking my evening cigar.
One night took row on the river,
rowing in all the curves and inlets. I
found one which ran into green meadow.
followed it up. m
Judge my surprise. For sitting on
rock near the river was Jim, figuring sums
with piece Of charcoal on a board; his
arithmetic lay beside him, and he occa-
sionally glanced at it. M
81 can't git this ERE sum, nohow,' he
said with sigh.
II think can help you," said I. My
boat had come up SO softly, and he was
80 deeply interested, that my arrival was
a complete surprise. We had long talk.
"I've give up drivin', and come here
with Marin Becker's son. I'm a-goin' ter
work in the mine. He says there's things
kin do"
Where do you stay ?"
"Over to the mems boarding house, I
don't like it," he said, seeing I looked
grave; ''but hez ter like it, if do or
not"
"Come to my rooms when you have
time,'' said I, as We parted, "and will
read you some more about Franklin, your
old favorita."
''You kin depend on me-" he said.
Every time went down the mine, I
fancied there were ugly looks on the faces
of the men, looks directed as much to-
wards the overseer as myself. f4
He was conceited fellow, and thought
the miners low as dirt beneath his feet.
But he was pleasant companion, and we
used to enjoy our mine survey, which was
generally done at night, when the miners
were out. t ls1 .N.a 5ai9s.
Finally. my work was done. Ihad only
one night more, and I was very glad, for
though my presentiment of evil had not
been realized, was still uneasy. ga.&
An hour before we went Gown was sit
ting alone in my room, watching the even
ing shadows falling softly over the noun
tains, when little hand was laid on my
shoulder. o.S
''Well, Jim?"
''Is there any one in heres" he whis-
pered.
mo one," said I, startled at his pale
face.
"Then I kin speak. Put yer head here.
The men are goin' ter shoot yer and the
overseer when yer goes in the mine to-
night. They's got grudge agin yer an
him. heard 'em a-plannin' last night, up
ter the house. Some of ems Mollies, and
they don't care what they does."
fare you surrey" said I, sick feeling at