The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-05-17


| part of my very nature.
| The country around was wild and noun
| famous In some directions. I'm others we
could zee the beautiful lake. often rode
over the moor. which spread away In the
| distance without house or track. nothing
but the tufts Of purple and black heather.
TIL the mountains far away seemed To roll
up toward the sky In folds and peaks. lined
| by silvery thread like cataracts, too dis
tant 10 be heard.
My companions were few. for had
loved solitude better than society. But
there was one family with whom we were
on very friendly terms. Sir Wren owned
neighboring estate. and Lady Wren. .
pure. sweet-faced woman. was my moth
er's dearest friend. while Annie. their
daughter. was my only playmate She was
happy hearted child, and would never
willingly vex or annoy any one. Ghe
seemed TO guess my moods, and would act
accordingly. But l fear, as | now look
back. that | was an overbearing. selfish
/ fellow, who exacted many acts Of self
denial from my little friend.
Al the age OF sixteen an active life be-
gan. My father had decided that should
go to Cambridge University. The years
spent there were busy ones With my wild,
rowing nature. IL was hard work for me TO
keep pace with ray class. but pride and
ambition helped ms 10 form the habit OF
study Twas too proud TO fall behind In
my class. Thanks 10 my mothers careful
| teaching, l was never tempted to indulge
| IA the use OF wine or stronger drinks with
| my classmates. So, when morning found
them with muddled brains mine was clear
and ready for work.
| In short time Igaiped a fair standing In
my class. and carried home good report
ut vacation. With what a longing heart
looked forward to those happy days. My
| home coming was the signal for merry
| making. My mother was always kind,
| and my father was proud OF my progress.
My old playmate. Annie Wren. was again
the companion OF my leisure hours.
One day | had been out riding with
friend. Coming home we had 10 pass
through village of tenant houses. As we
came into the town we saw the bailiff,
with his detachment Of armed police. enter
Il from the opposite side.
Now for some fun" said my friend
"These fellows are upon an ousting expedi-
ton"
AS they entered. the signal was sounded
by the blowing Of horns and beating OF tin
pans. The inhabitants Immediately took
the alarm and gathered In front OF the first
howell TO be attacked There they held
their position in spite OF the bayonets that
were freely used by the police There were
few men In the village. They were away
at work. but the women fought with hoes,
rakes. pitchforks and shoyels, and seemed
perfectly reckless of life. One after an
other fell. some killed, some wounded, but
they would not yield. After long and
terrible struggle the bai,iff drew off his
force, leaving the Inhabitants To care for
the wounded and dying.
II was most terrible sight that met my
view IA l went to help the poor people In
their distress. A young lady, teacher In
the school came TO help us. Her sad reci-
tai was heart-rending
MANY Of my pupils" said she, CONS
To school every morning without having
eaten "A mouthful since their supper the
night before and they can only hope for
small share of what their fathers can beg
or borrow from people nearly "A poor as
themselves. Every day miss another face,
and another Is added 10 the iong death list.
Is there no help for this starving people'"
she asked. while tears ran down her
cheeks
II also ask, IL there no helpi Must peo-
sound the alarm and call for aid" l said.
while with busy hands we cared for the
wretched inhabitants.
What a curse must follow those who
cause this" she said starvation and
rags are not enough, but they must offer
mp their lives To defend this wrctched
howell and homer
What "A scene Of misery II was. Children
and mothers weeping over their helpless
children; while the fangs OF the hungry
wolf was fastened ON each pale and bag
gard face. As soon as we could, my friend
and rode away. Each was silent. Words
could not express our feelings. Here were
people who had toiled early and late to
grow crops, but they must starve. They
had built little novels, not fit for pig pens,
but they must offer up their lives, that
they might dwell In them. Landlordism
Il the most brutal cruelty the world has
ever known.
When / reached home had food M all
descriptions gathered together, and soon
we were ON our way back Ia the starving
people. Lord Waverland was not at home,
and for once dared 90 brave his wrath IL
he should learn what 1 had done. The
tears OF Joy and thankfulness that greeted
us n we divided our load were reward
enough for whole life OF selfdenial.
The determined resistance made by
those village tenants was the commence
ment OF the war against eviction. A call
was Immediately made for relief. and all
that winter committees were busy dealing
out food 20 the suffering people. At the
same time. the bailiff and his forces were
busy evicting the starving men and fam
| tahfus, Families