The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-06-02
MADGE.
The Child OF the quarry.
BY MNEMOSYNE.

BY MNEMOsYNE-
Following a narrow footpath. Charles
ManIon. the newly appointed executive
officer of mountain quarry in Penn
sylyania. 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
hc saw men at work, and heard one de-
mand. with repulsive oath:
why didn't you bring that water
sooner. you Dung whelp"
Il came as quick as ever could.
The spring is most dry and I had to
wait for The pail to FILL" was answered
in terri 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 fell, 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 me?" was questioned
by the man. rs he came forward and
assumed Il threatening attitude.
II w llr'
You? Who in the thunder are
you'"
1.-The superintendent of this quarry.
You can 90 to the Office and get the
money due you?"
"You discharge meP'
81 do. and"
Before the sentence could be finished
the wretch had leaped forward and
struck at him. Manton was not un-
prepared. was young, 1.-THE, muscular
and n trained boxer. AVOIDING the
blow aimed ut his head, he dealt on g
in return that sent the ruffian sprawl
ing among the rubb sh.
Half dozen of his companions
sprang up. hammers in hand, to take his
part. Manton coolly confronted them
with rcvolvers. held them at bay, and
commanded them to instantly return
to work under penalty of discharge.
Sullenly they obey ed, and the cause of
the disturbance hastily SUNK away.
Il thank you. SIR" said the fore
man. coming forward. flor discharg-
ing that man. lie has been source
of constant trouble"
Il viii tolerate no one that NAL
treats child. But" suddenly re-
Numbering, Il 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 10 kicks and cuffs than kind
words. Her age was about fifteen;
her skin brown as a chestnut from ex-
posture 10 sun and wind; her feet small
and shapely, but grimed and bruised;
her hair unkept and sweeping down in
inky tangles. Her tall, slight, but ex-
ercise-developed 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-mouldesl
shoulders.
Suddenly she seemed to realize her
condition; that other eyes than those
to which she was accustomed were
looking sharply at her. The rich
blood curdled up. turning throat,
checks 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 as to her history.
at is a short story" answered the
foreman. about dozen years since
a terrible accident happened here. No
one could tell just how. but blast of
unusual size exploded. throwing hun.
dreds of tons of earth and rock into
the air and naming and killing great
many"
"The father of this girl was among
the unfortunates?"
"Was blown into thousand pieces;
left his motherless child with no one
to care for her. and the men-most of
them are tender-hearted for all their
rough looks and ways-supported her
until she was able to take care OF her.
self"
BY carrying waterp'
'.And waiting upon the men,"
what is her name"
1--WE call her the child of the quar-
ry.' but her fathers name was Coleman
"a man who had seen better days, I
imagine-and he called her .Madge'."
Its no place for girl she must
discontinue the work"
And starve?"
Il will see to that. Now will 90 to
the office. look over the books and en-
deavor to master the details of the bust
ness"
The'work detained him until a late
hour. Then he started alone to walk
to the little tavern where he had Sc
cured lodgings. The distance was con-
the road lonely. and por-
ton of it through dense timber. To
this, or the darkness of the night, he
gave no thought. Perplexing problems
occupied his mind. He was recalled
to himself by stumbling over something
directly beneath his feet stopped to in
vestigate. found by touching it was a
human form; raised it and hurried for
ward to an open space.
1T was the girl of the quarry. with
face white as the moonbeams that now
streamed from above. apparently az
lifeless as the stones by the wayside.
and with blood trickling down and
among the masses of loosened