Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1894-04-27
"Oh, Mdtthcp, mn bon"

added gloomily. "only l knew there
was no hope for me from the begin
ming, and that drove me wild and des-
perate."
but If she is worth thought, Mat
thew" insisted the mother, lit will
make no difference to her that you are
poor and work for your living. Let
me speak to her, my boy. 1 will tell
her how much you love her and how
you have suffered. what dear, faithful
son you have been to me, and"-
And she will give her consent, and
gou will join our hands and bless us,
and the bells will ring for the mar
riage Of the millionaire's beautiful
daughter with Matthew North, the
miner, and we will all be happy ever
afterl Oh. my poor little mother! 1t is
a pretty story and such as they print in
novels for sentimental schoolgirls. but
it is not real life."
But
"Say no more. mother. have al
ready spoken for myself. Yes, 1 was
mad fool enough to do even that one
day."
"And she?"
"She shed tears and pitied me and
called me her friend"
Give her time, Matthew, and she
will come round. You were too sud-
den and rough with her."
Mother, you will drive me crazy"
He started to his feet and kicked the
stool across the floor. II tell you she
never will care for me. Do you think
I am utterly blind? She loves him.
saw it plainly that day when he and
I came together at the pits. Oh, moth
er, you should have witnessed that
scene! You would have been proud Of
your worthy son when he was rolled
into the dust by that man with the
baby's face and woman's voicel She
saw it all, mother. Think of it! Twill
stay, she cried out, with her eyes shin
ing and her head thrown back, and
you shall kill me too!' To have her
look like that 10 minutes for my sake,
I would give up all the rest Of my life
and not count the cost too heavy, nei-
ther." He walked up and down the
apartment once or twice; then, return
ing to his mothers side, he passed his
arm about her and raised her up.
NOW 60 to bed. DEAR" he said, kissing
her upon the forehead. "Try not to
feel too bad about this folly of mine.
Time cures all ills, you know, and
some day, when we are living together
in little home; far away from here,
we will talk over all this quietly, you
with your knitting on one side Of the
table, and I opposite with my books
and papers, the storm beating on the
window pane and a fire cracking on
the hearth. Isn't it a pleasant picture,
motherl" He spoke gayly and led her
to the door with a smile and another
kiss. But when she was gone the smile
faded from his face; he threw himself
into his chair, and 1efipg his head up
on his hand fell int0 koomy reverie.
The reaction froM such moods as
these invariably led North into new ex-
cesses Of opposition to the hated mine
owner. The day following the CONVEX
sation above recorded heavy dray
numbered into the village, laden with
-four, sides Of bacon, sacks of potatoes
and other provisions. The driver, COM
PEELED to pull up his team before the
drinking saloon by the crowd of idlers
gathered there, mumbled in terror that
"twarn't none O. his business. He had
been ordered to take the grub to them
as needed it, and that was all he knoWed
about it."
And who gave you your ordersf"
inquired the stern voice of Matthew
North. who had just joined the group.
1.-The young master, in course" re-
sponded the driver. Dye think runs
a 'orspital or outdoor poor 'us.'
There, mates" exclaimed North,
facing the crowd, this man has stated
the case exactly. Do you want charity
from the tyrant who denies our rights
and insults us with his beggar's por-
tions? If you do, there are your bro.
ken victuals; take them home and be
humbly grateful"
There was a savage howl and ST.
multaneous rush for the wagon. The
driver was kicked and cuffed unmerci-
fully: the vehicle was overturned and its
scattered about and trampled
After which virtuous act
the perpetrators, looking rather foolish.
retired to their several benches and
barrels IN the saloon, while a flock Of
lean women and starving children de-
scended upon the debris and carried 1t
on with much screeching and quarrel
ing. Meantime North disappeared, as
was his won't in such cases.