San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-07-10

IIOStA
calm days early in the year, when the chill
of winter is still about the dark bones of the
earth, but when there are quickening mo-
tons in the air, and mesmeric admonitions
of a vernal resurrection. The dew spark led
upon the heath, and strung its silver threads
| upon the bare branches of gOrSe and broom.
A lark was rising from the ground and sing
ing heavenward, as if it were spring indeed.
The sun was setting when l sighted Tor
borne. the inland village where had ar
ranged TO sleep. which was close on fifty
miles from my old home by the sea. 1t was
mining settlement and as | approached
found myself abreast of rough tram-road
communicating with the mines. A busy
sound of gathering and clanking, clashing
and rushing, broke upon my ear; great wheels
suddenly appeared, revolving in the air
| above my head, together with a lofty Chin
ney, skeleton platforms, and iron chains
clanklng over iron puIlcys. Focks OF wo-
men and children soon appeared, busy on the
surface. Close by them ran a brawling
stream, cOpper-colOred by the refuse of the
mine.
They greeted rae merrily, as paused to
look at them. | noticed that they spoke a
dialect somewhat different from that Of the
district where | had lived so long.
| slept at TOrbOne, and at daybreak next
morning proceeded on my WY. Soon after
midday, | reached my destination, another
mining settlement on the very borders of two
counties, Cornwall and Devon. found it
to be, as rUmOr had informed me, clone
some" place situated on the banks Of small
river, and surrounded on every side by the
wild blocks and tors of the moor. The mines
on which had been engaged belonged to
Lord, who had a residential castle close
by, and whose representative, 4 solicitor
resided in the village | reported myself in
due course, and was forthwith installed in
my position.
Before the day was out, quite understood
the motives which led to the engagement of
a man with a rift in his character. The
miners were wild, goddess lot and the last
overseer, an elderly man, had more than
once gone in danger of his life As a per-
son still suspected of violent prOclivitieS. |
had been chosen to take his place. The
truth was the place bore the worst of names,
and few men would have accepted the stua-
ton, at any price.
The agent, during our first interview,
limited that the miners needed an iron hand
to rule them; and | was rather glad than
otherwise of the information, for wanted
work, the more desperate the better. That
very afternoon | inspected the place, and
found myself inspected in turn by as villain
Gus a set of faces as had ever encountered.
There was much muttering and murnuring,
for the fellows wanted to be under the di-
rectiOn of one of their own number, one
Michael LOOe, a red-hared giant, who had
this one advantage over his cnmrades--that
he could read and write.
The very next day, the first after my in
stallatiOn, found out the sort of opposition
with which had to reckon. As | stood by
the open mine, giving some dIrec tons, that
same LOOe ran up against me, with pickaX
on his shoulder, and almost capSized me. A
hoarse laugh greeted this performance.
Cant zee look where yOu'm gaun, meas
ter"' cried the fellow, grinnng S,Nagely, to
the huge delight of the thrUmg-men, women,
and children.
looked him steadily in the face, as one
looks in the eye Of a furious bull. What
saw there did not daunt me. The fellow was
bully, and had dealt with bullicS before.
If was to retain my authority in the place,
i must bring him to his senses.
'Whats your namey' / said, quietly
my name%' he repeated, Ieerlng round at
IL
As good name as yOurn, I'll wager"
Another laugh greeted this touch of print
tive-humOr
my name is Hugh Trelawncy; and as |
am master here, I'll trouble you to remem-
Der it. If you don't, my man, I'll find way
to impress it on your memory"
"You WILL will 'ee?'' said the giant And
so you be measter? Mates" he added, look
Ing round, dye hear 'un? Take off your
hats to 'un! This fine gentry pup be meas
ter the mine. Take off your hats to 'un,
sayp'
And sulting the action to the word, he
bowed mockingly before me. My blood was
now up, and / faced him reSOlutey. go
back to your work" said NO more words.
Do as bid YOU"
His manner changed from mockery to saw
age determination.
who'll make me?' he said, brandlshing
his pickaX.
Before he knew what | was about
wrenched the weapon from his hand, and
flung 1t on the ground. He clinched his fist
and made a rush at me- | waited for him,
and landed him blow which made him
stagger back dazed. The men fiOcked round
US, EluriIlurlIS anu threatening.
But Michael Looe had confidence in his
own powers He weighed fifteen stone, and
had the fists of Anak; so that |, though a
tall, strong man, looked no match for such
giant He uttered n fierce oath, and babe
the men stand back.
Fair play, ladsv' he cried, grinnmg again.
Lea the new chap to me. Don't zee see he
means ighthn'P'
With that the men made ring, while their
champion stripped off his waistcOat and be-
gan quietly turning up his sleeves. showing
an arm with muscles like iron bands. For a
moment 1 shrunk back, not that feared the
ruffian, but because felt ashamed TO take
part In such brawl
The men saw my hesitation, and uttered a
derisive cry:
Look at 'un! He be afeer'd Hit 'm in
the 'eep'
At this juncture, an old man, one of their
number, but superior in manner to the rest
whispered in my ear:
"You'd best bolt, measter. He'll smash
zee like an egg, as he did chap afore 'eer'
Ny answer was decisive. OF went my
coat down went my hat on the ground, and,
clinching my fists, | faced the giant This
rather turned the tide of feeling in my favor;
at any rate, 1t elected feeble cheer. The
men prepared themselves for enjoyment;
real stand-up flight" was imminent.
Were 1 acquainted with the beautiful
vocabulary of the ring, might compose
prose poem on this episode; but alasl am
as one uninstructed, and after : all, 1t is too
absurd. Annoying as the affair was at the
time laugh at it now.
Mike Looe came at me like Goliath, but