The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-01
A CRUEL CRISIS.
ARDLEY BARRACKS.

My DEAR WIFE-The strike at Ardley Moor
shows no signs of ending; indeed. it seems
likely to go 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 we are al
ways under arms, night and day. Charlie is
quite well, but I haven't seen him since lunch.
Mary, the new housernaid, came up this after
noon asking for hinx She says he went out
about 2:30 and had not returned at 4:30. l
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 affectionate. fond old hubby.
CHARLES VANE.
P. S.-You know Darlington Thwaite, the
fellow who tried to cut me out with you? He
has just been appointed a local J. P. don't
envy him his duties these times, though he
did threaten 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.
tThere,'' he said, 'tthat'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
6cTS6duU VI budb HILLS CuUCICo bAO lOOul,
"what now"
CAV ye place, sorr," replied Reilly, sa-
luting, "the man from the polls offus is
outside, an he wants to see yerself-the
golfers has shwore to foire the pit to-
night, an there'll be the deuce and all if
the sojers don't be there"
every well, send the man in"
"Yis, sorr,' and with another salute
Sergeant Reilly retired, sending private
to show 1.-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 say at mess, "Shootin furriners an
thin burrds was dacent sport, but foirin
on yer own flesh an blood was horse of
another color intirely" And his senti-
ments were invariably received with ac-
clamation.
The upshot of Inspector Arkwright's in
terview with Captain Vane was a COM
niand to the men to turn out, fully armed.
The order was instantly obeyed, and in
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 for
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 on
their fellow men was bad enough, but
they could not war on the women and
children. Climbing the brow of the last
hill, Captain Vane saw that if he was to
save any of the pit buildings he and his
company would arrive none too SOON
A red glare glowed against the cloudy
sky and lit their path. Nearer and nearer
they advanced, and they saw long fiery
tongues Of flame leaping high from the
banks of coal round the pits mouth. An
CRY men rushed hither and thither in wild
rage, looking like demons in the awful
glare; their mad screaming, rising above
the kissing and cracking of the burning
fuel, deepening into sullen roar of def
ant hatred as the military approached
within sight. With common impulse,
the rioters seized stakes and brands and
rushed within the walls surrounding Abel
Holroyd's house, built not far from the
mouth of the pit he owned, and from
which all his wealth had been wrested by
the men whose blind passion was the
cause of the present tumult.
In they rushed, breaking down the iron
gates in their mad haste, and swearing
loudly to set fire to the building.
The soldiers came to a halt opposite this
retreat. AS they did so old Abel Holroyd
and Darlington Thwaite, who had been
sent for to read the riot act if necessary,
came up to the spot. Their appearance
was the signal for q fresh outburst of
fury. "Burn t. pleeace deawnp "Teach
tn ovid sweater mannersP' cried the
mob. twill yo' pay w fair wage?"
shouted one, taller than the rest, and who
seemed to be leader.
"No, weant, if thai calls 25 per cent
advance fair wage!' shouted back Hol-
royd. II made my money tn same road
as yo've had a chance to, an I'll no gil it
away for nowt!"
"Excuse me, Mr.. Holroyd," said vane,
with difficulty making himself heard,
"but that sort of talk will only incite
them to further violence. have just been
comforting with Mr.. Thwaite. Promise
them arbitration or something-anything
to quiet them and make them dispense"
"Arbitrationi" echoed the angry old
man. tsI'll promise 'em nowt o. tn sort.
I'll ha' no meddlers interferin wi my bust
ness If they don't like to work for tn
wage ! con afford to pay 'e,n, they con
rlem!'
I He shook his fist at the crowd, who
screamed and - shouted, renewing their
threats. And even the hiss and crackle of
the burning coal added to the din.
"Now, then, Thwaite," cried Holroyd,
lido sunmat! Am l to stand here an see
NV house an Dukes an things burnt to thu
ground as well as all tn coal at tn banki
What's these redcoats standin still like toy
sojers for? Wean't their guns shoot, OF
WHAT"
Twill you leave those grounds and re
turn to your homes?" shouted Thwaite,
thus urged. But there was no sincerity
in his tone; indeed he longed to force the
soldiers to extreme measures, since he saw
how distasteful such course would be
to his old rival, Captain Vane.
But the answer came back, sharp and
distinct:
tNo We Eaen,ti Wo'ro howe a., howe