Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-05-10
MADGE.
Tho Child of tho Quarry.
BY MNEMOSYNE.

MantOn, Jne neWIy appoih1eu oAoSoei'o
officer of a mountain quarry in Penn
sylvania, came upon it suddenly, and at
the same time a scene that shocked him
on account of its cruelty.
As he turned sharp point of rocks
he saw men at work, ana heard one de-
mand. with repulsive oath:
why didn't you bring that water
sooner. you young whelp?
a came as quick as ever l could.
The spring is most dry and had to
wait for the pail to fill" was answered
in terr fed tones by young girl.
Lying again? You've been playing.
Take that, and learn not to keep me
waiting"
The angry man struck the innocent
offender with the pail. She staggered
and foil, with blood streaming over her
face. Before the blow could be re-
peated Manton sprung forward, shout
ing:
Don't dare to strike that child
again! Shame be upon you, for brute
and coward"
who'll stop meP" was questioned
by the man, as he came forward and
assumed II threatening attitude.
II w,ll!'
You? Who in the thunder are
yOu'"
THE superintendent of this quarry.
You can 90 to the Office and get the
money due vou?"
"You discharge me?"
"a do, and"
Before the sentence C finished
the wretch had leaped forward and
struck at him. Manton was not UNI
prepared, was young, 1.-the, muscular
and trained boxer. Avoiding the
blow aimed at his head, he dealt one
in return that sent the ruffian sprawl
ing among the rubbish.
Half dozen of his companions
Sprang up, hammers in hand, to take his
part. Manton coolly confronted them
with revolvers, held them at bay, and
commanded them to instantly return
to work under penalty of discharge.
Sullenly they ODE, ed. and the cause of
the disturbance hastily SUNK away.
Il thank you. sir" said the fore
man, coming forward. for discharg-
ing that man. lie has been source
of constant trouble"
II will tolerate no one that nal
treats Il child. But" suddenly re-
membering, a hope she is not much
injured"
The child stood looking at her pro-
| tector in an amazed, almost worship
ping, manner. She was far more ac-
customed TO kicks and cuffs than kind
| words. Her age was about fifteen;
| her skin brown rs a chestnut from ex-
posture to sun and wind; her feet small
and shapely, but grimed and bruised;
her hair unkept and sweeping down in
inky tangIes. Her tall, slight, but eX-
se-dcveloped and graceful form was
part ally covered by an old. torn and
| faded calico dress. so torn as TO expose
one limb nearly to the knee, and the
half-fastened waist gave plainly to
view plump and prettily-moulded
| shoulders.
Suddenly she seemed to realize hen
condition; that other eyes than those
to which she was accustomed were
looking sharply at her. The r,cl
blood curdled up. turning throat
cheeks and brow to crimson, and max.
ing good use of her fingers to close the
garments she darted from sight.
With more than usual interest Man
ton questioned rs to her history.
at is short story" answered the
foreman. About dozen years since
IL terrible accident happened here. NJ
one could tell just how, but blast o
unusual size exploded. throwing hun,
dreds of tons of earth and rock int
the air and naming and killing a gre a
many"
1.-The father of this girl was anon,
the unfortunates"
WAS blown into thousand pieces
left his motherless child with no on,
to care for her. and the men-most 0
them are tendcr-hearted for all thei
rough looks and ways-supported he
until she was able to take care of her
self"
by carrying water?'
"And waiting upon the men,"
What is her name?'
..NNn nnl her tie child of the nnal