The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1892-07-01

CATION entered, headed by Jim Bowling,
flushed, noisy, more surly than usual
This man was a firebrand, constant men
ace to the community's peace, an instiga-
tor of broils and dissensions.
"Ahl good morning. boys" said Middle
ton cheerily What can do for your"
Smithson and the others looked ashamed
at this cordial reception, hesitated and
hung back Not so Bowling, who blus-
tered forward and swinging one big fist
down upon the other, said:
The boys have agreed that they must
have two half holidays through the sum-
mer and another dollar a day, and they
want to know when you're goin to put
them new roofs on their shanties Here it
Is the LIST of July and nothing done They
think they've waited long enough. Dye
hear2" he concluded insolently
- Is this the demand of the men," asked
Middleton quietly.s'or is it Jim Dowling's
demand?"
Smithson spoke up eagerly. I'VE all
know, Mr.. Middleton, that you always do
what's right by us and"--
"Shut up your - head" roared Dow
ling
",There-that will do" said Middleton.
That's just enough to show me that you,
Bowling, and you alone, are responsible
for this affair. Now | refuse absolutely
to listen to you or hold any parley with
you. want you to leave my office at once
will talk with you, boys, in moment"
Il won't co." snarled Bowling
"Oh yes you WILL" and before the big
ruffian could realize what was transpiring
he was seized by the white faced athlete
and hurled sprawling on the ground in
front of the office.
"Yi-hil give it to him, Mr.. Middleton"
shrieked HIGH shrill voice, and leaping
with joy at Dowling's discontinue, came
the enfant terrible of the neighborhood.
freckled, tow headed, impish "Bub" Clay
ton, brother of the pretty bookkeeper and
supported by his orphan sisters earnings,
give it to him, Pm with you," and he
squared off and doubled up his puny fists
at Bowling, who staggering to his feet
hurled tornado of curses Mt the master of
the mines.
"Ill pay you for this" he growled as he
retreated. 'I'll pay you and give you COM
pound interest-curse you," then skunk
away pursued by the boots and contumely
of "Bub" Clayton and his followers.
There was short conference between
Middleton and his men which must have
resulted satisfactorily, for they shook his
hand at parting and with smiling faces
proceeded to the nearest saloon to drink
their employers health. In point of fact,
Middleton learned that Bowling had insti-
gated the scheme, tainted and dared the
others to make these demands and insisted
on being their spokesman. When Middle
ton showed them the letter from the archi-
tect whose plans for repairing the miners
cottages he had accepted, when he told
them of the preparations he was making
for the approaching Fourth of July cele
bration, they burst into cheers and then
begged his pardon for having been tenn
porarily led astray.
When, after closing the door behind his
visitors and relaxing a bit from the strain
he had been under, Middleton turned back
to his desk he felt timid touch on his arm
He looked up straight into pair of lustrous
gray eyes swimming. with tears.
"Why, my child" he exclaimed. what
is the matter"
''That dreadful man." she faltered; "he
will do something to you, am afraid"
Nonsense. my DEAR" said Middleton,
patting her arm in quite n fatherly man
ner; don't cry You are upset. and don't
wonder"
But, please" Bess said TREMENDOUSLY,
please look ont for that beast, and-and
carry pistol or something. His face
was murlerotis."
That night at dinner Middleton was
strangely preoccupied Somehow he could
not Danish the events of the morning, and
through the light and the flowers about
the table, in the sparkling amber in his
wineglass he saw that sweet, troubled
face and the big gray eyes swimming in
tears
After dinner Violet came out upon the
veranda where Tom sat smoking and de-
posted her fluffy draperies, her laces and
frills upon bamboo lounge She wore
her most aristocratic expression while
hardening about the pretty lips betokened
an oncoming contest.
"Tom, dear" she drawled, what Sc this
new absurdity of which / hear?"
"Absurdity?" repeated Tom, u don't
know, Violet, to what you refer"
as it possible that you propose to give
the miners Fourth of July celebration"
Indeed do Bonfires. races, rockets
a rafting good old fashioned hurrah. And
every little chap is to have punk and fire
crackers and every little girl torpedoes."
you are only spelling these creatures"
began Violet, when to her amazement
Tom rose and lowered over her, looking
very big, very aggressive, very masterful.
"Once, and for all, Violet" he said
coolly, will you have the goodness to stop
nagging me about my business? ! will
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