The Bossier banner., 1889-08-22

good for Jim; and Rough Jack, as he
danced the little fellow on his broad
shoulder, wore something as nearly ap-
preaching to smile as his iron face
could assume.
At last it began to be whispered one
day among the colliers that a number
OF them were to be discharged. No
one knew how the report had arisen.
or even whether it was true or not; but
the mere thought of it was quite
enough for these wild fellows, ripe as
they already were for mischief.
1--WE mum must] strike" muttered
big, sullen-looking pitman.
''Ay, we nun strike--but not as thou
mean st, growled Rough Jack, clinch-
ing his sledge-hammer fist with ter
rlble emphasis. Use not let nv little
Lad starve for a. tn gentlefolks i En-
gland. We nun strike Mester For
rester's yed head SO as he'll feel.
Who'll join, lads?'
II will"
''And l."
"And l."
''And soil l."
In fact every man there was as eager
as Jack himself; and it was soon agreed
that they should watch for a chance of
attacking young Forester, and then
beat him within an inch of his life
land mayhap a bit farther as the
burly pitman muttered, with a cruel
CLEAN in his eyes. Two sharp lads
were at once chosen to keep watch
upon young Squoire Harry" who had
come down from London few days be-
fore; and, on the third morning, one of
the scouts came running in to report
that Harry had gone to see a friend a
few miles from the colliery, and had sent
the groom home with his horse, saving
that he would walk back in the even
ing. the road being too rough to risk a
good horse on after dark.
The looks exchanged by the colliers
at this news said more than any words
could do. All was soon settled. Mid
way along the road which Forester
must take lay a patch of bare, lonely
moorland, well known to Rough Jack
as his little boys favorite playground.
Here they would hide in deep hollow
overgrown with bushes, and pounce
upon their victim as he passed.
Night drew on. One by one (for they
knew that it would not do for many of
them to be seen together), Jack and
his gang came stealing up to the fatal
spot, and, crouching down amid the
bushes. waited for their prey. But as
time went on, and it grew darker and
darker; and still there was no sign of
him, they began to get uneasy. Could
he have changed his mind and stayed
all nightP or could their plot have been
discovered? No there at last was a
firm step approaching, and the rising
moon showed them the tall, active
figure and handsome face which they
all knew and hated.
The savage men clutched their heavy
cudgels, and drew themselves together,
like tigers crouching for spring. But
just then there was a rattle of wheels
and hoofs in the opposite direction,
and a light dog came rushing along
the highway like a whirlwind, evi-
IDENTIFY driven by some wild young fell
low, who thought it fine fun to risk
breaking his neck. At the same mo-
ment there appeared, slowly crossing
the road, right in the path of the mad
dened beast and the reckless driver,
the figure of Rough's Jacks little lad.
With cry that made the air ring,
the colliers burst from their hiding
place, forgetting every thing but the
peril of their little pet AS they ran
they saw the child stumble and fall in
trying to escape, and Harry sprang
toward to catch him up; but then horse
and dog-cart came dashing down upon
them both, and every thing vanished
in whirl of dust.
But as the dust cleared away Harry
Forester was seen rising slowly to his
AOOS' 4ACEO WetS d tQlH SGF6dk OF Dl0O0
stealing down his smooth, white fore
head, and his left hand was sorely
bruised and cut; but his right arm was
still firmly around the child, who was
looking up in his face with round, won
dering blue eyes, as if hardly knowing
to be frightened or not.
Jack sprang to his child like tiger
whose cub has been wounded, and,
inding him quite unhurt, took the
,iny face between his huge, black hands
Ind kissed it passionately again and |
lgain.
'God bless thee, my little lad" said |
le, in broken voice; ''God bless theer' |
Then his mood seemed to change,
md, finging his cap on the ground at |
sorrester's feet he folded his arms on
lis brawny chest aud looked the young
nan full in the face.
"Look'ee here, Mester," said he,
irmly; I'VE COON out this meet Tnight1
o beat and hammer thee-mayhap to
ill thee outright; and thou'st nioh