Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-07-26

ears. He learned himself to read an
write without any help az iver ] heerd
on. He was put to work at the pit
bank by the time he was eight ears
old, and he lerned himself the engine
drivin' by looking ut the engine an
watchin the chaps at work at it. Poor
Bale"
A bright drop or two fell from the
girls eyes and glistened on the stuff
she was sewing.
In the meantime, Bale, the rejected,
had walked down into the valley, had
fingered for while at the forge gates
to stare in at the white-hot, alf-naked
figures that dragged the bloom from
the surface, and ran it on its iron
trolley to the steam-hammer, and had
waited to see it beaten from its incan-
descent heat to dull red glow.
'It takes good stuff to abide that
kind of handling" said Bale. "'rhe
good stuff's the better for it, But it's
no use trying it on Stag AS u matter
of fact, you can't have the good stuff
without it, but it's 4 pity to treat all
sorts alike"
He was making n parable of the
matter in his own mind, and he walked
ON thinking Of it in n sore hearted and
rather empty-headed fashion. He
passed the frowsy town and came out
ON the road to Quarymoor, with its
almost instant hint of country odors
in the darkened air. 1t was late
spring weather, almost summer, and
the smoke veil hung high and thin.
The stars shone through it vaguely,
and Il dew was falling. He walked on
for an hour, clean into the country,
not knowing or caring where his feet
led him, and suddenly he was aware
that the moon had risen, broad and
full, and that nightingale was sing
ing.
"Why, Bale, old lad" CHEEKY
voice called out. 'What brings you
here?"
"There's a nightingale in the copice
yonder," said Bale. ''Listenr
They kept silence for minute, and
the birds song, which had been
checked at the sound of the footsteps,
began again. The new conner fidgetted
little, and after minute or two said:
Its pretty music enough But
who'd ha' thought of your caring for
it, Bale? Going home again?"
"Yes," said Bale. ''At least-I
don't know about home. 1 shall drop
in at the Sir Ferdinand"
"Ah!" cried the other, Ystriding on
again with Bale at his side, 81 should
think that was more in your line"
well, yes" said Bale, 81 suppose
it is. Shall we set ourselves to walk
toward u glass?'
why, no." said his companion.
Not tonight I've better work on
hand. You've always been II trust
worthy sort of chap in way, Bale,
You can keep secret?'
I've kept one or two," Bale ans
wered.
why" said the other. "The
secrets this, Bale. I'm going to get
married.
"Oh!" said Bale. you've squared
the old lady, have you?"
Eyes. I've squared the old lady,
and I'm off now to the top of Hill Road,
my lad, to carry the news to the young
un. "
The young LADY," said Bale.
"The young lady" said his com
panion. "She's been rare anti down
hearted this six months past about the
old woman's opposition. She'll cheer
up above a bit when | break the news
to her. And look here, Bale, old lad.
You and me have always had liking
one for another. There's bit of
difference in our stations in life, but
I've never made difference on that
account. Have l, now? Come! Have
II"
NO." cried Bale; ''you never have"
when mans married." said the
other, "he's got to let his wife have
something of a say about the company
he keeps. Now, sometimes you are
most extraordinary racketty chap, Bale.
You know you are, Selina's got bit
of down on you, old lad"
SD ont you trouble about me,
George" said Bale. 81 know what
Miss Rice thinks about me, and / know
what l think about Miss Rice. We're
never likely to trouble each other"
"Why?" said the lucky lover, check
ing his walk suddenly and facing
round. "What do you think about
Miss Rice?'
"Ohr cried Bale, "don't let's have
any misunderstanding. I've the very
highest opinion of Miss Rice She's
made up her mind that Tn wastrel,
and she's let me see her opinion. She's
quite right, George quite right. /
am wastrel. Tn no fit society for
her, and if, as married woman, she
makes up her mind as I'm no fit COM
panion for her husband, why, all l say
is, her will be done. / shall never
think the worse of her lisa womans
business to keep her own man straight.
Well, here's the Sir Ferdinand. Good
night, George, and good luck"
Not yet, returned George. eve
haven't got to the bottom of what L