Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-04-11

mistake. this great stalwart. broad
shauldened miner. He was well past
forty. his hair becoming gray and
sparse on top-quite old to her.
He had been bachelor all these
years. He might have known 1t was
sheer madness now to lavish all the
wealth of his great manly heart on
pretty. winsome Jessie. She did not
want an old fogy like him.
At first she seemed to hear his tale
with gentle tenderness and pity. Bad,
indeed. must be the woman whose
heart remains untouched by the love
of a u-ue and honest man. Then
word or two she dropped almost I'M
consciously had revealed the truth.
OF course, Will Benson was the man.
He had been blind fool not to have
seen IL long it long ago. VIII was
twersty years younger than himself.
Un Sundays VIII was quite masher
tthe Americanism had grown into
common use even here). win was just
the lad DO please the girls fancy.
And so. having settled that matter
In his own mind. Armstrong walked
slowly and sadly away about his bust
ness.
1t was Saturday night. Bar and par
lor of the Miners Arms were crowded
with men, Here the hard-earned
money few merrily; money which
should have gone TO wife and weans
az home-money which might have
been tower N strength In fighting
the gattles that labor and poverty al
ways have to fight.
VIII Benson was there in the midst
OF a noisy throng. reeking with beer,
spirits and rank tobacco. He had had
great deal too much to drink al
ready Suddenly some one laid hand
upon his arm. He turned tipsily and
encountered the serious, steadfast
gaze Of Steven Armstrong, who en-
tered the public house.
Dunno tax ony moor" the latter
whispered gently but firmly.
Who told thee to interfere, Master
PreacherY'
mo one. / ask thee not to for the
sake o. the girl who loves thee"
Did she tell thee to COON pryin'
after meY'
Tina know betther nor that. ask
thee for her sake. and fur tina own
good
bah, I've heerd yond' stuff fro T.
blueribb0ned fowlk afore now
"A be none o. them. hold that a
chap as Gamma tax glass or two an
stop when he ha' gotten enough Is ma
worthy o. bein' called mon. / be
lieye In total abstinence ma moor nor
! DO in drunkards."
Then what t devil be'est jawin' to
me aboutT the young man said quite
tierceiy.
II ask thee not to spend all T. meet
here. Think o. her who's to be that
wife. These chaps do thee no good.
They'll max thee spend tina brass,
aud When tits all gone they'll only
laugh at thee"
..Shews me T. mon as III Taught at
me! Yetdaren't. It's that thyself as
are dom It, Come outside, then. and
well see who's T. best monw
II Wilma fight wi thee-and GER
tainly not now Armstrong answered
slowly and with dignity; 1t was not
the retractiOn OF coward. His well.
meant circumstances had proved
worse than useless; and from that
time those two men felt each other to
be rivals.
Horror and CONSERVATION are spread
ing far and wide through the grimy
Lancashire town. A terrible explosion
pas inst been heard. They know only
700 well what that means; and the
poor women, both young and old. are
rushing wild and terrur-stricken to
the prs mouth.
Down in the workings" the excite
meDt III at its height. Men are run.
Mug to the bottom of the shaft. run
ming for their lives; for the noxious
afterrnamp Is choking them and they
know only too well that many of them
areydestined never to see the light of
day again. The cage Is grin up and
again as quickly as may he. but il
win only hold a limited number. They
must patiently wait their turn, and
that turn may mean life or death.
''rhere be room for one more" the
miners shout. Come along, Steve
Armstrong IL be tina turnl''
But he does not move. mo. he an.
swers:-.T be old an alone. Here's a
young fellow as a got a mither; let
un 20 instead this time"
II was Will Benson who stood by
the. side. You. Armstrong! You
max room for mef' he exclaimed.
what dost suppose aid do A. fight
fair--when a. want to fight
"You do this for ma sakelr
Not Cor thine, mon--for hers. 90"
The words were few. There was no
time for more--but they had IA rough.
heroic dignity about them. Benson