The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1893-12-15
A CRUEL CRISIS.


ARDLEY BARRACKS.
MY DEAR WIFE-The strike at Ardley Moor
shows no signs of ending; indeed, it seems
likely to 20 on forever. / don't know which
are to blame, the masters or the men. wish
one or the other would give in. All the regi-
ment except my company is away riot quelling
in other parts of the country, so%e are al
WAYS under arms, night end day. Charlie is
quite well, but | haven't seen him since lunch.
Mary, the new housemaid, came up this after
noon asking for him. She says he went out
about $50 and had not returned at 4:30.
suppose the young rascal is off on one of his
rambles. Hope you are enjoying yourself,
dearie. Charlie and both send our very best
love. Your aifectionate, fond old hubby,
CHARLES VANE.
p S.-You know harrington Thwaite, the
fellow who tried to cut me out with your lie
has Just been appointeda local j. p. don't
envy him his duties these times, though he
did thre aten me with horrible punishment
when carried you off. Good night, darling!
The above letter finished, Captain Vane
of the Third Coalshire regiment sealed it
and addressed it to Mrs. Charles Vane,
Hotel Metropole, Sandport.
"There," he said, "that's done. Can't
bear writing, but that will give the little
woman and her mother something to talk
about for week. Well, Reilly" as the
sergeant of that name entered the room,
"what now?"
CAV We place, sorr," replied Reilly, sa-
hitting. 1.-THE man from the polls offus is
outside, an he wants to see yerself-the
GOLFERS has shwore to foire tho pit to-
night, an there'll be the deuce and all If
the sojers don't be there. D."
Every well, send the man in.
"Yis. sorr," and with another salute
Sergeant Reilly retired, sending private
to show "the polisman to the capt'in's
ROOM" Like his superior officer, Sergeant
Reilly had lively hatred for police work
and all that concerned it. As he would
often saw at mess, "Shootin furriners an
thin burrds was dacent sport, but foirin
on yer own flesh an blood was horse of
another color intirelyl" And his senti-
ments were invariably received with ac-
clamation.
The upshot of Inspector Arkwright's in
terview with Captain Vane was a COM
mand to the men to turn out, fully armed.
The order was instantly obeyed, and in a
few minutes the captain and his men were
marching through the gathering gloom
across Ardley moor to the seat of the trou-
BILE. AS they neared the pit and passed
through the rows of miners cottages, the
few women and children left at home
came to their doors and reviled them fol
the part they were about to play in the
struggle between master and man. But
the soldiers took no notice of the abuse
nor of the missiles thrown. Firing OIL
their fellow men was bad enough, but
they could not war on the women anC
children. Climbing the brow of the las
hill. Captain Vane saw that if he was tx
save any of the pit buildings he and hi
company would arrive none too soon.
A red glare glowed against the cloudy
sky and lit their path. Nearer and neare
they advanced, and they saw long fer!
tongues of flame leaping high from thu
banks of coal round the pits mouth. An
gry men rushed hither and thither in wilt
rage, looking like demons in the awfu
glare; their mad screaming, rising abov,
the Kissing and cracking of the burning
fuel. deepening into "a sullen roar of def
ant hatred as the military approaches
within sight. With a common impulse
the rioters seized stakes and brands ant
rushed within the walls surrounding Abe
Holroyds house, built not far from tn
mouth of the pit he owned, and iron
which all his wealth had been wrested b.
the men whose blind passion was tn
cause of the present tumult.
In they rushed, breaking down the iro
gates in their mad haste, and swearing
loudly to set fire to the building.
The soldiers came to halt opposite thi
retreat. AS they did so old Abel Holroy
and harrington Thwaite, who had bee
sent for to read the riot act If necessary
came up to the spot. Their appearance
was the signal for a fresh outburst G
fury. "Burn t. pleeace deawnp "Teac
tn ovid sweater manners" cried tn
mob. "Will yo' pay uz fair wager
shouted one, taller than the rest, and VIII
seemed to be a leader.
"No, weant, if thai calls 25 per Ger
advance fair wagep' shouted back Ho
royd. ~ made my money tn same roa
as yo've had a chance to, an I'll no gi'
away for nowtP'
"Excuse me, Mr.. Holroyd," said Van'
with difficulty making himself heard
"but that sort of talk will only incit
them to further violence. 1 have just bee
comforting with Mr.. Thwaite Promis
them arbitration or something-anythin
to quiet them and make them disperse. "
"Arbitrationp echoed the angry oil
man. "I'll promise 'em nowt o. tn SCR
I'll ha' no mcddlers interferin wi my bus
ness. II they don't like to work for Il
wage l con afford to pay 'em, they CO
clem"
He shook his fist at the crowd, WI
screamed and shouted, renewing the
threats. And even the hiss and crackle
the burning coal added to the din.
"Now, then, Thwaite," cried Holroy'
lido summatl Am to stand here an S,
my house an Dukes an things burnt to Il
ground as well as all tn coal at tn banl
What's these redcoats standin still like t.
sojers fori Wean't their guns shoot,
, what"
"Will you leave those grounds and r
turn to your honest" shouted Thwait
thus urged. But there was no sincerit
in his tone; indeed he longed to force Il
soldiers to extreme measures, since he sa
how distasteful such course would
to his old rival, Captain Vane.
But the answer came back, sharp al
distinct:
"No, we wean'tI We're here, an be