The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-01

worked below were in daily jeopardy. Ner-
ertheiess / knew that something must be
done; resolved 10 make one last appeal 70
him, ana if that failed i'm its effect to COM
inunicate with the members Of the company.
who, conformity with himself. owned the
property. had fully made up my mind 70
seek him al home. when / was spared the
pains He Strolled down TO the counting
house one morning IN company with John
son.
"ar. Redruth, said. approaching him,
/ i should ike 10 speak a few words 10 you,
/ sir
! he looked at me from head to foot with
cold supercilious sneer which sent my blood
+ up to boiling heat. as he replied:
We'll you can speak then-I am all atten-
ton
glanced al johnson. but as that worthy
made no attempt 20 go proceeded:
ut IS about the mine, began. when be
interrupted me.
"oh. the mine he said. impatienay; II
think l have heard a good deal on this sub.
iect fron you before?'
You have, sir; and you have taken no
heed; but the time has passed for all that
each day the danger grows, and now, at any
moment the sea may break In and every
soul be killedr'
While had been speaking he had been
engaged in lighting cigar. when had I'm
ished he removed the cigar from his mouth,
pnfed cut voiume OF smoke, which he
watched ascend, and asked quietly:
DO the men know Of the danger which
you say is threatening them?'
Most aSsuredly they dor
"And o they refuse to work.
NO; where would be the usep II they
left the mine they would be thrown ont of
employ ment, and then their families would
starye- Better for them 70 bold their own
lives in their hands than to expose their
wives and children 10 such fate
Very good; then, since by your own
showing you are the only dlScontented spirit
its time for you TO gol'
The cool way in which he uttered these
words fairly took away my breath
What do you meanT' / asked.
Just what l say, he returned; that
from to-day You may consider yourself dis
missed from the mine, and had better seek
elsewhere for employment II YOU are dis
satisfied. other people are not Mr. johnson
is quite contented with the state of affairs,
and is willing to take your place.
Seeing that resistance would be useless. L
accepted my cong with as good n grace as
possible. but was determined not to resign
without freely speaking my mind, so l faced
George RedUth firmly. and said, placing nv
hand upon his arm juSt as he was turning
away.
II have been expecting this for long time,
and II has come. Well, so much the better.
warn you, however, that | shall do my
duty, and let the company know the exact
state of affairs"
He turned TO johnson, and | saw the two
exchange a significant smile; then his face
hardened as he replied, contemptuously:
You will of course, do rs You please; only
ohlige me by getting out of my employment
as quickly as possible"
1T viii be a good riddancer muttered
johnson, breaking IN for the first time. Tire
Iawney has always been a croaker"
The fellows inSoIent leer provoked me far
more than his masters sang frOtd
Nl'n croak to some tune, | cried. facing
him, IF g0lt presume 10 talk TO meF'
Presume, indeedr' ne repeated, turning
white with fear or malice. ''Tain't much
presumption, l guess. 10 take down young
cooke -the-walk who puts on airs as IL he
was gentleman. If Mr.. George had listen
ed to my advice, he'd have got rid of YOU
long agOw
Come along, Johnson" said Redruth:
"he's not worth talking to-"
But Il clinched my fists and blocked the
way. suppose there was something In nv
face which looked ug Y, for the two men re-
coiled before me. Several of the miners, at
racted by our high words, had now gather
Ell, and were looking on IN astOnishment
Il know well an honest man is not wanted
here" / said. I've EnOwn that for many a
long day. Like master like man. You, sir,
want a scoundrel TO do your dirty work: and
here he is. ready made. to your hand--as
mean and cowaTdly a scoundrel as ever drew
breathF'
"out of the way, you ufian ~ cried Red
ruth, lifting his cane.
But he knew better than TO strike me; he
knew that ii he had done so, would have
thrashed him within an inch of his life; and
he knew, too, that not one man there would
have raised a finger to protect him. though
he was the master of the mine.
But the presence of the onloOkers, 1 sup
pose, made his companion foolhardy; for
stepping forward. livid with passion, he
shook his fist in my face.
''Who are you calling scoundrelY' he
cried. DO you know who am? Pm over
seer of this here mine. and you you're beg
gar, that's what you arel Why, darn you!
l could eat you up and spit you out, and
twenty more like your
He had proceeded thus far, ganishing his
address with innumerable expletives, which
will not bear transcription, when, without
more parley, unable to resist the provoca-
ton of his close proximity, quietly knock
ed him down.
AS he fell, George Redruth sprung toward
me. and struck at me with his canes but
tore the cane from his hand, broke 1t into
pieces. and flung it away.
Take care, sirF' said, 81 may hurt you
too. II you go too far
He drew back trembling.
''You shall smart for this. Trelawney! Be
fore the day is out you shall lie In jailI''
You know where TO find me-" answer
ed; and then, without another word, walk
ed away.
1t was not for hours afterward that real
lied what had done; and even then am
afraid did not regret my hasty conduct
Young and rash, / did not fear to face the
world, though the mine was my bread. and
had no othrr means Of maintenance. AS for
Redruths threat of invoking the law against
me, nothing came of it. Doubtless, as his
own sacred person had not suffered, be
thought 1t best TO hold his tongue.
ITO be Continued