The Press., 1894-05-03

the man who had first spoken. Hand some is as handsome does, eh, John?''
 Eve an idea, mates, put in the third man. ''It's this: move we draw up paper, addressed to the new mas ter and signed by all hands. Matthew North, here, could do it up in great style. He's got education, in a way, and writes like book print ;
 And what is this paper that Mat thew North is to draw up addressed to the new master?'" There was ring of scorn in the deep vo1ce, and the dark eyes glealned sternly from under the frowning brows.
 Why" was the hesitating reply, "a sort of petition like, saying as we, the hands employed in the Monckton mines, presents our duty and welcomes our future boss, with good wishes, ct cetery. Then you throw in, promiscu- ous, as how things has been pretty con- siderable hard on us for spell back, 1 and how we would be grateful for a raise of prices and wages; likewise. al- so, reduction of hours. All fair and square and respectful, as is proper be- tween master and men. 7
 l Having concluded this speech with flourish, the speaker glanced at his com panions as if expecting some sign of ap- probation. but the man addressed as Matthew North broke in with loud, angry laugh.
 |" Present our duty,'" he repeated sneeringly. "Why not humbly peti tion for the privilege of living at all? Are we not poor, enslaved and degrad- ed enough already that you wish to formally sign away the small fragment of liberty we have left?''
 "Now don't lose your temper. Mat thew" responded the other deprecat- ingly. ''It was just notion of mine which I spoke cut frank and friendly, as among old side partners. But if you don't approve, why, there's an end of it. We all agree that you have the longest head among us, Matthew, and we're bound for to follow your lead.
 "You are a pack. of children and fools, '' rejoined North harshly. Be 1 cause this man is young and what you choose to call handsome you believe he will be just and generous. Wait and see! Old Monckton-Miser Monckton was a coarse, ignorant, grasping scoundrel, but he was one of us, for he handled pick in these very mines in his youth. This man, his son, is gen. tlemanI' The hatred and contempt with which he uttered the last word cannot be described. "Yes, gentle man. He was educated abroad; he knows nothing of us or our condition and cares less. To him we are merely the drudges which he inherited with his fathers wealth. We are not men and dogs, and so long as we consent to toll, starve and risk our lives to pam per his luxury we and our wives and children may rot in our poverty and l degradation. ;
 North had the true demagogue's pow CT, and his belief in his own words lent him rude eloquence which was ire sistible over the class with which he consorted. The kindling eyes and quick breathing of the three men he now ad- dressed testified to the influence he yielded.
 "You say he is handsome" he went on, with increasing heat. ''He may be; I am not a judge, but as he passed, lolling in his carriage, covering us with the dust from his wheels, l looked into his cold, dead eyes and his pale, wom- anish face, and tell you before many months are over you will wish old Mis- CT Monckton, three times as ugly and three times as mean and grasping, were back again. r | For a moment after he had done speaking there was silence; then, in a low, threatening tone, one of the men ejaculated:
 Mates, it's no petition that we'll take to the new proprietor. It will be demand.
 "And if he refuses we'll burn the house over his head.'
 And him with it..
 "The sooner the better, say I To- day-this hour!''
 twill you never learn wisdom?" in- terrupted North impatiently. You go from one extreme to the other. You will break few windows, make dis turbance, get yourselves shot and beat en for your pains, in the end submit glad even of the chance to toll and starve in the old wretched way"
 What fiery one you are, Matthew I" replied the last speaker in humble ad- miration. Nobody ain't thought of going agin you. All you have got for to do is to say the word and leave us for to carry out your orders.''
 That's so, chimed in the other two 'We'll stand by Matthew North
 "And you will do well, ;" said North "Your cause is mine. It is just and must prevail. Wait! Bide your time until 'tis ripe, and then''-he glanced from one to another of the attentive faces, with the gleam of fanatic reso- lution in his eyes, strike for your rights and strike hard and sure.''
 "Hurrah for Matthew North!'' cried the three men in a breath.
 A cold smile fitted across the dark features, and again he repeated, in a significant tone:
 | 6