The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-06

too poor TO take them along, but they
had the premise of work where they
were going and then they would send
for them. II Morris helped them he
did not let his left hand know what his
right was doing, but 1 do know that
the children followed their parents
few weeks later.
Morris prepared for night of vigils,
then fell into a sound sleep curled
up in a corner of the car seat, and
when he awakened II was early morn
ing.
1t was an awesome thing TO awaken
in n car after q night OF that sort
The first feeling is one of thankrulness
that one is alive; the next an over
powering sense of dirt and discomfort.
Morris thought at first that his limbs
were paralyzed, but after vigorous
stretch he felt better and looked out
with some interest on a world that
was new to him, fresh from the luxur-
les of the metropolis. He saw the
good morning" of nature. with man
a chimcrical speck In the plan. Mere
cabins were perched in commanding
positions on hill-sides, and sleepy look
| ing children, barc-headed and bare
| footed, were saluting the flying train
derstard how any one could live in
! such place He felt no thrill of fell
| lowship with these grovelers in the
| by-ways of life, and again he won
dered how Eleanor would handle such
problem. He felt a sense of louel-
ness without her as If she had once
| belonged to him but had gone.
A longer stop was made at the rude
70 a
| great tragedy that is enacted in the
| lowliest as well as in the grandest
| home. But how different the methods.
| 1t was not yet sunrise, but the door
of the cabin had been flung open. and
a woman with an apron thrown over
| her head rushed out into the morning,
! followed by two weeping children.
| Then a man rushed out hastily and
| going to a building near by tore Il
board from its rough roof and hurried
| back into the house, followed by the
woman and children. The train moved
on and Morris wondered over what he
| had just seen. Probably every man
and woman in that car read the story
Alright, but Morris asked shaggy
old man who sat back of him. wrapped
in a time worn old plaid what it meant.
'Weel. mon. / misdoubt it were some
body slipped ava, and they needed the
board to streekit him." said the old
| Scotchman.
| 1t was gruesOme when Morris under
stood, and he wondered if Eleanor
would have known. You see she was
in all his thoughts.
n more desolate place than that in
which the Little Summit" mine was
located would be hard to describe. The
mine that poured wealth into the Cof.
fers of its owners was conducted by
ill-paid, sOdden men, scrubby boys and
half blind mules. The foreman was
brutalized by a long course of low
wages, heavy expenses and sordid sur.
roun6ings. 1t was a word and a blow
| with him, or an oath more demoraliz-
ing than blows. When a stranger ap.
peared he was received with sullen and
suspicious silence. being more than halt
suspected of wanting the bread out OF
some other mouth. Norris was shocked
almost out Of recognition of himself by
this unexpected state of things. for he
felt himself passively to blame. II,
could not lay the odium on the should,
ers of his agent, for he had never asked
a single question concerning the mine
or the moral or physical welfare of the
men. He had taken the revenue from
it as part of his patrlmony, Indifferent
as to methods. He had been helping
to grind women and children into thu
dust, that he might loll in luxury. Hi
conscience stung him with reproachei
which We're inadequate to make hin
suffer as he deserved.
Your hand, friend" he had said tc
the foreman, and noted the ugly scowl
and determined air of refusal Will
which the man drew back.
, "'Taint as white as yours; and how
do l know that you are my friend %
was the surly reply
Il am here to see what you need anC
will help you if you will let me-" an
swered Morris gently.
"A spy of an overseer, like enough
The sooner you get out of these quar-
ters, the better for your health. If on
of the bloomin' mine owners sent yo,
here, go back an tell him 'taint saf
to come spyin' roun'. Tell him, toe
that wen give him warmer welcom
hounds that they all are!"
The miners, dirty, black. and com
planning, had gathered around the fore
man, and although they hated him
they were bound to him by a commo,
grudge.
Tell them to come and get filled Will
warm lead-we'd heat it fur tn
'casion," said burly miner known a
"Old Georgdie."
They dass'nt come nigh their owl
property" said another, they're white
livered towards, and not worth III
powder to blow 'em TO thunder"
GO back to your master, and tell hin
what his lovin' workmen says" sal
the foreman contemptuously IAN ge
? a photygraff of some OF the hungr
children and dyin' mothers. for tn
family album. My mssus will give yo
, ! hers"
: Men," said the stranger unbotton
I ing his heavy ulster, and throwing
l open, have you ever heard of Morri
1 | Holmes?"
= A groan. and a series of yells salute
him.
e AYE, an of his father afore hin
: It's that he might lie soft and eat fin
5 food that we gets lost in the chok
. an damp. If he sent you, so back az
] tell him to come out here himself. w
/, hcv a long account 10 settle, an III
p fiGgers is waiting. II was "Ol
I Geordie" who spoke.
3 Il am Morris Holmes!"
4 Now If there is any quality that III
0 rough and lawless of creation recogni2
4 and admire, 1t is courage. and after tn
}, first start of surprise, which in thi
[ sodden crowd was genuine and dra
matte, the men felt an instant respec
J., for this weakling of wealth, who wa
= not afraid of them, and something lii,
r a cheer broke from their hoarse throati
[ Il am here Ia right your wrongs
l. H. 81.