Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-05-07
A MAID OF The NINE.
By ]. MONK FOSTER.
rcopyrish,, 1896. by the Author.l

the principal hostelry in the place is
known as the Blue Bell The inn Is a
regular. old fashioned country tavern Of
the kind that were only built hundreds
Of years ago, being low rooted, far
spreading. many roomed, with o great
porch lined with stone benches, where
ON a dozen men could sit and drink and
smoke in comfort. Behind the house
were an orchard, n garden and bowl
ing green. In front was the village
green, and from the door Of the Blue
Bell were to DO seen the headgears and
chiinneys Of three or four collieries
whcreat the men and lads, the women
and lasses, Of the hamlet found employ
meut.
One Saturday evening in late Septem-
ber several years ago large crowd Of
villagers was gathered in front of the
Blue Bell. The pitmen and their draw
crs. the pit brow lasses, their mothers
and relatives were standing in great
ring. inside which the local band was
trumpeting lifting tune and knot Of
morris, dancers was performing.
Being Saturday. the whole hamlet
was astir; the pits were closed, the
miners had received their wages, and
the numerous apartments Of the tavern
were we'll filed with customers who
filed the porch and peered out Of the
open windows.
Among the crowd, ut different points,
however. stood three persons-two
young men and n woman-who are to
play tho leading roles in this short
drama. The first was Harry MarsfOn. a
tallish. well dressed. and very good
looking young fellow Of 30. That he
was no native Of Shevingston was ap-
parent at glance. He had, in fact, only
come to the village that morning, and
was now noting his surroundings-vil-
layers, musicians and dancers-with in
terest.
The other man was Jack Kendall, o
strongly built, honest looking man Of
20. plainly attired and simple Of speech,
rs was tho manner Of those among whom
he had been bred and horn and, lived all
his days. But Jack was hard headed and
sound hearted; was not afraid Of hard
work and meant to make his way in the
world. For the rest it will be. enough to
say that he was fireman" ut one Of
the village collieries and,was in love
with and engaged 10 Peg Holland.
Peg was pit brow girl. Six Of her
Is years had been spent ON the surface
Of tho mine without any serious injury
TO either her physical or moral qualities,
and ono could have found very much
worse samples Of Englishwomanhoo in
tho higher walks of life.
Margaret Holland was dark haired
and brown eyed, with q clear, dark skin
and u sweet oval face. She was shapely
nodded from the crown OF her small
head to the tip Of the nent foot which
was usually shod in brightly polished
clog. and was an industrious lass of q
loving and kindly nature.
Presently the band ceased playing, the
morris dancers brought their caperings
to an end. and n move was made toward
the Blue Bell, in the large cmbroom
Of which tho remainder of tho evening
was to be spent in feastina and frivolity.
II was the first night Of the pastry feast
held annually in almost all tho Lam
cashire villages. and already the long
tables mp stairs were laden with the
huge. savory shilling basties which
tho different miners had ordered for
themselves and their friends, sweet
hearts and wives.
Jack Kendall was about TO enter tho
tavern with comrade he had dropped
across when his gaze fell upon Peg,
and leaving his friend for awhile he
went toward her. She had CHANGED to
SEQ him also. and they met half a dozen
PAGES from the wide porch and the noisy
miners who filled IL.
~ didn't SEQ you. Marg'et, he cried,
q smile lighting mp his strongly marked
face and his whole bearing eloquent Of
the love no bore for the handsome lass
before him.
"Nor l you. Jack" she answered.
'till Mamie wray spoke. But thowt
you~vercn't goin to tho pasty feast at
the Bell" she added. with the slightest
shade Of displeasure in her voice.
I'm not goin. Twas only about to
ha' drink with Sam Sloane, theer,
when l seed you. have to- go to work
toncet, You know. II hadn't. should
like to buy pasty for US. But We con
have ono on Monday meet"
$50 we CON- the girl answered.
We'll. good meet. Jack; must be of.
promised to go to wigan. toneet with
my mother"
"You won't come in an ha' q drink
with me an SAINT" he asked.
I'D rather not, Jack.
well. goodneet. After o drink I'm
on whoam to set ready for & pit.
They nodded smiling good night to
each other and went their ways. the
girl seeking her home at the other end
OF the hamlet, while her lover entered
tho Blue Boil and in the company of
other miners had a glass or two Of ale
before joining the night shift men at
the California colliery.
But Margaret Holland did not 60 to
Wigan. which was the nearest market
town To Shevin4ston. with her mother
that night. While she was attiring her.
self for the journey Mrs. Holland was
cent fer by a neighbor who had been
suddenly attacked by illness Of some
kind
Not caring to go e town alone, Peg