Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-02-26

lDIu--, WHO HdQ Il ItSltleIIldI castle close
by, and whose representative, solicitor,
resided in the village. l reported myself in
due course, and was forthwith installed in
my position.
Before the day was out, | quite understood
the motives which led to the engagement of
a man with rift in his character. The
miners were wild goddess lot, and the last
overseer, an elderly man, had more than
once gone in danger of his life As a per-
son still suspected of violent proclivities, |
had been chosen to take his place. The
truth was the pIa9e bore the worst of names,
and few men would have accepted the situa-
ton, at am price.
The agent, during our first interview,
limited that the miners needed an iron hand
to rule them; and L was rather glad than
otherwise of the information, for | wanted
work the more desperate the better. That
very afternoon | inspected the place, and
found myself inspected in turn by ds villain
Gus a set of faces as had ever encountered.
There was much muttering and murmuring,
for the fellows wanted to be under the di-
IectiOn of ne Of their own number, one
Michael LOOe, red-haiTed giant, who had
this one advantage over his comrades-that
he could read and write.
The very next day, the first after my in
stallatiOn, found out the sort Of opposition
with which / had to reckon. As | stood by
the open mine, giving some direc tons that
same LOOe ran up against me, with pickaX
on his shoulder, and almost CapSized me. A
hoarse laugh greeted this performance.
Cant zee look where you'm gaun, meas
ter?" cried the fellow, grinning savagely, to
the huge deIightof the throng-men. women,
and children.
/ looked him steadily in the face, as one
looks in the eve Of furious bull. What l
saw there did not daunt me The fellow was
bully, and had dealt with DULLES before.
If | was TO retain my authority III the place,
/ must bring him 10 his senses.
"What's your name"' said, quietly.
My name?" he repeated leerlng round at
the others. "Mike LOoe, if We maun know,
AS good name as yourn, III wager"
Another laugh greeted this touch of prim-
tive-hUmor
My name is Hugh Trelawney; and as
am master here, I'll trouble you to remem-
Der it. If you don't, my man, I'll find a way
to impress it on your me nory."
you will, will 'ee?" said the giant. land
so you be lneaster? Mates" he added, look
ing round, dye hear 'un? Take off your
hats to 'un! This fine gentry pup be meas
ter 7 the mine. Take off your hats TO 'un, |
sayr'
And suiting the action to the word, he
bowed mOckingly before me. Ny blood was
now up and / faced him reSolUtely. 600
back to your work." / said. No Incre words.
DO as L bid yOu.'
His manner changed from Tnookery to saw
age determination.
Who'll make me?7 he said, brandishng
his pickaX.
Before he knew what / was about, l
wrenched the weapon from his hand, and
flung it on the ground. He clinched his fist
and made rush at me- / waited for him,
and landed him a blow which made him
stagger back dazed. The men flocled round
us murmUring and threatening.
But Michael Looe had confidence in his
own powers. He weighed fifteen stone, and
had the fists Of Anak; 80 that l. though a
tall, strong man, looked no match for such a
giant He uttered a fierce oath, and babe
the men stand back.
Fair play, lads!" he erred, grinnmg again.
Lea the new chap to nae. Don't zee see he
means tighthin'T'
With that the men made ring, while their
champion stripped off his waistcOat and be-
v
an arm with muscles like iron bands. For
moment 1 shrunk back, not that | feared the
rutfian- but because | felt ashamed to take
part ia such q luawl.
Ihe men saw my hesitation, and uttered
dersiye cry:
Look at 'un! He be afeer'dl Hit 'un in
the eer'
AT this jURctUre, an old man, one Ct their
number. but superior in manner to the rest
whispered in my ear:
You'd best bolt, meaSter. He'll smash
zee like an egg, as he did chap afOre 'ee!'
My answer was decisive. OF went my
coat down went my hat on the ground, and,
clinching my fists, j faced the giant This
rather turned the tide of feeling in my favor;
at any rate, it elicited a feeble cheer. The
men prepared themselves for enjoyment;
real stand-up fight was imminent.
Were l acquainted with the beautiful
vocabulary of the ring, | might compose
prose poem or this episode; but alas! | am
as one unnstrnoted and, after all. it is too
absurd Annoying as the affair was at the
time, | laugh az it now.
Mike LOOe came at me like a Goliath but
at the first encounter | discovered that he
had no science. myself had a little, and
though far his inferior in weight, possessed
muscles and si0ews of steel, due to my
healthy life and constant exercise from boy
hood upward, in the open air The result is
easily predicted In matters of tiSIiana,
science, combined with pluck, is everything.
Before many minutes had passed, Michael
L0oe had received as sound a thraShlng as
a man could desire. He lay on the ground,
his head supported ,0n the knee Of one of his
comrades. and looking stupidity mp into my
face.
turned 70 the men, with as much good
humor as could assume under the oTna-
ments Of black eye and a bleeding fore
head, wherein my opponents tiNt had de
scended with the force of 4 steam ram.
We'll, my lads" I cried, you see I've
paid my footing. If any Of y0u think
haven't paid enough, let him stand up, and
I'll give HIM a little mere"
This speech quite III the humorous man
ner Of the late opponent, completed my vic
tory. Ii was greeted with an UproaTious
laugh and a cheer. To ING establishment the
men crowded round me, and began shaking
hands. Then Nike Looe rising Slowly, APP
preached me, and held out his enormous lists.
Shake hands. n}eaSter,7 he said. If you
can HEX IRE, you can lick any two O. 'un-
En-, Lord, but YOU knaws how to feet, don't
'un. mates? Gle ne yuT hand. You may
sack me to-neet and willing, but al 90 bal.
youm the right sort to be measter here!'
Sowe shook hands. and fron that moment
my physical supremacy was uuGisputed. In
stead OF dismissing my late opponent as he
anticipated. | kept him in his place. and he
afterw2rd became my right-hand man.
had made a very good beginning. After that
day, had very little trouble in retaining my
due authority a. overSeer OF the Gwendovey
Mine.