Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-03-16

on the miner Tn the midst or ms wlld rage. He dropped into his chair, breath ing heavily. "Some one," continued Monckton, attempted to burn my sta bles last night. Had the attempt been successful two or three human beings, to say nothing of the animals, might have perished.
 And the efiigy, v broke in the over seer, who throughout this scene had been performing sort of nervous dance behind his masters chair, don't forget the effigy, sir, with the knife through the breast and the promise to kill us both, and"--
 Monckton raised his hand, and the overseer instantly subsided.
 This afternoon said Monckton, still keeping his gaze riveted upon North's face, "as I was riding home ward through lonely part of the road, some one fired at me from ambush. A good shot could have snutfed candle at that distance. AS 1t was, fortunate ly for me, he was a novice with his weapon and only left the graZe which you observe on my temple as a testi monial of his murderous intent and his bad aim.''
 North raised himself erect in his chair with jerk. And you believe am the guilty man?" he asked hoarsely.
 Monckton made no reply, but Joyce, behind his chair, nodded vigorous af firmation.
 ''On my word--on my soul, it is not so!' North cried out passionately. II knew nothing of it. Mates,' he added, turning to the others, you know I am not capable of such villainy.'
 The deputation, elderly men for the most part, looked greatly distu1 bed at the turn the conference had taken. One of them replied to North's appeal.
 ''None on us thinks you did it with your own hand, Matthew, he said gravely. But you have talked rough agin the young master, and there's many a wild spirit among us that would need little urging to do the devils work. -
 "Well, then,' exclaimed North, rendered furious by these signs of de- lection among his own followers, II did talk rough, as you call it. did say that the heartless tyrants who own us workers, body and soul. grind us down, degrade us, keep us poor and ignorant, drive our sons into crime and our daughters to shame, take the crust from the mouths of our babes to sup port them in their selfish and indolent luxury-I did say such men deserved death l did say it is just before God to defend ourselves with the only power left to us-the strength of our light arms. And I say it again, but''-he struggled to recover his composure as he faced the mine owner-'I lifted no hand against you. u.''
 "The distinction is a fine one, re- sponded Monckton impurturbably. You preached murder. but you shrank from committing it yourself.
 North ground his teeth. Take care,' he said in a low, menacing voice. Do not tempt me to do the thing am guilt less of now
 Come, Matthew, lad interposed one of the men in soothing tone. "We didn't come here 10 quarrel. We've had wrongs. but l think the master sees them now himself and means to do the fair thing
 North sank back in his chair as if exhausted by his own outbreak.
 II do," said Monckton seriously. As have told you, that was my pur- pose in calling this conference. l am prepared to do you full justice MT. Joyce turning to that worthy, who still maintained his post behind the proprietor's chair-''these gentlemen put into your hands, 1 believe, a state ment of grievances at the beginning of the strike. Will you produce it:'
 With a protesting face, but ready obedience, the overseer placed a paper on the desk before the mine owner. Monckton's cheek flushed, and he bit his lip as he read it.
 II regret that zeal for my interests, he said, should have led MT. Joyce to reject conditions as just as these. But ;he blame is wholly mine, and do not seek to excuse myself. Gentlemen, he added, rising, you may begin work to- morrow morning on the terms here set forth.
 Something like muf11ed cheer broke from the deputation, drowning JoNce's despairing groan and North's muttered oath. With beaming faces the men tramped heavily out of the room. But North, who went last, turned at the door, and in the momentary glance of his bloodshot eye there were undiminished hatred and dark menace for the enemy whose humiliation he had come to en- joy, but whose calm strength had with stood his hitterest attack.
 When the miners were gone, Joyce, who was utterly overwhelmed and ap- palled by the wonderful change in his employer, began a confused tumble of protest and excuse. But the young man, laying his hand kindly on his shoulder. said:
 We have some lessons to learn, my friend. We will learn them together"