Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-01-22

lives in their hands than to expose their
wives and children to such a fate"
VERY good; then, since by your own
| showing you are the only disconnected spirit
it's time for you to go!''
The cool way in which he uttered these
words fairly took away my breath.
what do you mean%' | 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 If you are dis
satisfied, other people are not. Mr.. johnson
is qute contented with the state of affairs
and is willing to take your place.
Seeing that resistance would be useless. I
accepted my cong with as good a grace as
possible, but was determined not 30 resign
without freely speaking my mind, so faced
! George Redruth firmly, and said, placing my
hand upon his arm just as he was turning
away.
81 have been expecting this for long tins,
and it 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 significant smile; then his face
hardened as he replied, contemptuouSly:
You will of course, do as you pleased only
oblige me by getting out of my employment
as quickly as possible
sit will be good riddancep' muttereo
| johnson, breaking in for the first time Tire
lawney has always been a croaker."
! The fellows insolent leer provoked me far
! more than his masters Sdnqtroid.
| "I'n croak to some tune" | cried, facing
| him, 'if yOlI presume to talk to 7l6I'
| PRESUME, ndeedr' he repeated, turning
| white with fear or malice. faint much
{ presumption, l guess, to take down young
| cock o'the-walk who puts on airs as if he
was gentleman. Ii Mr.. George had listen
ed to my advice, he'd have got rid Of you
long agon
"Come along, Johnson" said Redruth; ;
''he's not worth talking to-"
| But clinched my fists and blocked the
way. l suppose there was something in my
| face which looked ugly, for the two men re-
| cOiled before me. Several Of the miners, at
| uacted by our high words, had now gather
| ed, and were looking on IN establishment.
| 81 know well an honest man is not wanted
| here" | said. 1--WE known 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 cowardly scoundrel as ever drew
! breath p
! "Out of the way, you ruffianp' cried Red
ruth, lifting his cane
! But he knew better than to strike me; he
| knew that, if 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 finger to protect him, though
| he was the master of the mine.
| But the presence of the OnloOkerS, | sup
pose, made his companion foolhardy; for
| stepping forward, livid with passion, he
shook his fist in my face.
! who are you calling scoundrelP' he
| cried. do you know who am? I'm over
| seer of this here mine, and you, you're a beg
gar, that's what you are! Why, darn you!
! [ could eat you up and spit you out, and
twenty more like you"
| He had proceeded thus far, garniShing his
address with nnumerable eXplrtiycs, which
| will not bear transcription, when, without
! more pariey, 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 cane; but |
| tore the cane from his hand, broke it into
pieces, and flung it awav.
Take care, STRIP | said, Il may hurt you
too, if you go too far"
He drew back trembling
'You shall smart for this, Trelawney! Be
fore the day is out you shall lie in jailp'
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 L did not regret my hasty conduct.
| Young and rash, L did not fear to face the
world, though the mine was my bread and
had no other 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, he
thought it best to hold his tongue.