The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1886-04-29

l!neaf0enU OF Tie perfect FEATURES, de
spite the miners garb. There was {:
look in his handsome eyes of defiance
one could almost say of disgust-witl
the world, as though it had used hin
roughly; his n~onchalant air saying
plainly that he cared not what he did
since he seemed doomed to misfortune
Although but about thirty, he was evi
IDENTIFY a leader among them, and a fav
orite, for as he started to speak, eaci
n removed his hat and prepared tt
listen in respectful silence.
my brave men, if such you are, ant
such you have heretofore proven your
selves to be, now is the time to asser
your true courage. We are being
ground down to starvation. Not only
we, but our wives and children, are be
ing unjustly treated, and it is cowardly
to endure it. VIII you thus stand idly
by and see the very bread taken from
their mouths?: / say down on the wo
man who would thus rob us of oul
rights, almost our very life, that she
may grow richer. Scarcely ever seem!
daylight from one weeks end to an
other, we are paid q mere pittance, ant
sometimes nothing, for unremitting
life-destroying toll. Let us assert oul
manhood, defend our rights, ant
strike"
Loud shouts rent the air as he finish
ed speaking, and after three hearty
cheers for Jack Lorley, they dispersed
toward their various cabins for the
night.
Soon after their departure a woman
contrasting strangely with the sur
rounding scenery, made her appearance
and going to one of the cabins tapped
lightly on the door, 1t was immediate
ly opened by a poorly dressed oma
81 am Mrs. Landmere, the owner OF
these mines. Can you give me lodging
for to-night?" The door was rudely
shut in her face. She went to another
and still another, meeting with the same
signal failure and scowling, forbiddine
countenances. 1t was commencing tt
rain and night was coming on. Wha.
would she do?
Tired, weary and travel-stained, sht
resolved to try once more. She wa
met by a neat, kndly-looking woman
who looked surprised at seeing a 81
finely dressed woman at the mines.
She dreaded disclosing her identify
lest the kindly expression would harder
as the others had done. She venturec
to do So, however, and there was a lool
of sympathy in the wo1an's face as sht
said respectfully, MADAME, it is very
dangerous and daring for you to come
here. They have vowed to kill you i
they ever came in contact with you. ]
scarcely dare do it, but you can not stay
in the rain, so come in"
She entered a poorly furnished bui
clearly room, and the woman placed {
chair for her, blushing painfully as she
said, IL can not offer you any refresh.
ment, for L have nothing to eat"
"My poor woman, how is that?" ask
ed Mrs. Landmere, sympathetically.
cit is the old question of Capita
against Labor said the woman. ':My
husband gets very poor wages, n
sometimes nothing, and the overseel
has done his best for us, but it has beer
of no avail" and she looked at hel
accusingly.
Mrs. Landmere's vague suspicion:
were now confirmed as to the over.
seer's duplicity. Holding out her hand
to the woman, she said: Il assure yor
your wrongs shall be righted, and now
will you allow me to retire; 1 am very
weary"
The woman led the way to a ladder
leading to a loft in the top of the cabin
cit will be safer for you here" she
said apologetically, as she assisted hel
guest to ascend.
Mrs. Landmere was soon sleeping
peacefully, oblivious of all danger. The
rain, which had commenced early in
the evening, was now pouring down in
torrents; it increased its fury; but still
the sleeper slumbered peacefully N.
A great clap of thunder made hel
stir ~uneasily, and awakening with 6
start, she felt a consciousness that some
one was in her room. She lay awake
nervously for several minutes. Sud.
denly a flash of lightning revealed te
her startled vision a man bendiug ovel
her bed, a knife grasped tightly in his
hand; plainly he intended to kill her
In him she had recognized her long
lost son! After that flash all wa;
again dark.
.:My son!' she fonnd strength to say,
breathlessly.
."Mother!" came in a scarcely audi
BILE tone from the darkness.
Striking a match and lighting the
lantern which he carried, and coming
nearer to the bed, he sank on his knees
at her bedside and implored her for.
giveness saying remorsefully with 6
shudder that she had almost been {
murderer, and his victim-his OWL
mother" All the time he had been al
the mines he had never heard the name
of the woman who owned them.
She rained tears of thankfulness dowr
upon her restored son, and after their
emotion had somewhat subsidized, he
told her of his wanderings; how he had
left her; tried to get work, but in vain;
had searched for the girl of his choice,
but had almost given up in despair,
when he found her, sick and alone, he
had married her and gone out West to
the mines to try to make a living. for
he was too proud to appeal to her fol
help. 'But, mother" he said "why
have you treated the miners so ruth,
lessly, so heartlessly. Many of them
have nothing to eat and we are on the