The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-22

w. hamlet of N in
northeastern Pennsylvania.
lie had been employed in
eteel-mils of Anderson, town about
fifty miles further south. These mus
had shut down, seemingly, for an IN
definite period; consequently Thorn
never lover dleness. found himself
in this busy little town on his way To
the "mineboss' in search Of employ
ment. To his surprise and satisfaction
he was given Immediately the job
of working the underground pumps nut
on condition that he would work night
turn only. He determined to take 1t
until he could look around for some
thing better, although the wages Of
fered was much better than such work
brought i'm other places. He wondered
why he was put on night turn only,
but thought he would not mind that
for awhile any way. The boss failed
20 mention the fact that each man who
had been employed during the past
month had thrown up the job after
few nights trial and in some in
stances after one nights trial There
was one exception-old Sandy M'Tarish,
who in spite of ill-health had often of
late been obliged to do night and day
in finding men to do night turn.
Thorn accepted the place, and look
ing around for n homo he found
cosy little story -and- half company
house shaded by large Elm tree in
pretty large sized garden. He then
wrote back to Anderson for his widow
ed sister and her Chld-a little fair
haired girl of three summers. These
two were all he had of kith or kin In
the world. Empty and drear would his
life had been but for them. They great
ly filled the blank left long ago by the
one woman who had drawn to herself
the deep. earnest love of his intense
nature. But that is another story"
After taking supper at one of the
crowded boarding houses, he took a
stroll through the qoiet evening to the
brow of the neighboring hills. whence
he could enjoy fine view of the lovely
valley beneath, and the hills and
mountains hey ond. In the midst of the
valley lay in graceful curves the little
river, Caressing it's soft green banks
with their trees bending above, He
yond. Crept up the cultivated farm
lands to the thick belt of woods which
separated them from the purple spread
of mountains under the glory of the
autumnal sunset. over all and through
his being pulsatcd the beauty of it. 1t
seemed like the glory of the Land of
the Blest But he reused himself-this
life must be lived frst-and there was
much to live for. His returning steps
quickened as he pictured to himself the
cosy little home. under the old elm
when frightened by the presence of his
loved ones.
oil. 10 hpnsn 40
ned his working clothes, conversed with
the tired out, rugged looking miners
who were distributed about the porch
and yard in attitudes most calculated
to give ease to weary bones. He was
favored with some few curious GlanCes
when the men learned what was to bC
his employment. But nothing was said
for the boss" had said some very
emphatic things about men losing thcl
jobs who would prevent any more mel
from working the pumps. Thorn hal
noticed the looks, but forgot it the mex
moment as he started aft with scVera
men from the house who were on nigh
tuln. Large orders had come in ant
the mine was working double shift"
Down the black slope they went Will
their flaring lamps throwing a htfu
light on the pillared sides, propped root
ana damp 1oOT Win lne Hlllc, SlnSl
car track trailing it's steady wa.
through the gloom and darkness. A
the foot of the long slope they came L
the pump house. Here they fount
sandy or as he was Familiarity known
"Scotty." The men dalled awhil
chatting, then passed on to the ney
workings with glance or two at III
entrance to the old. situated about
quarter of a mile past the pump house
Scoty instructed Thorn in the simpl
workings of the pumps and being
rather tacturn individual did not vast
much breath in talking, and soon lei
Thorn sole monarch" However Sand
had taken many searching look a
Thorn's face wondering to himsel
how long this sturdy looking felo,
would stay.
Thorn, left tn himself, went over tn
machinery again, satisfied himself tina
everything was all right, settled him
self comfortably on the bench and sun
rendered himself To the beguilement
of the people and events of the haz
land of Nicotine. Rousing himself aftt
an hour or So, he looked the pumI
over, picked up Sandy's newspaper an
pored over it until he had eXhauste
even the advertisements. He felt tin
passing rather slowly. At last, feelin
tired after his long day, he stretche
himself out on the bench and was SOC
into a tight dose.
Suddenly he awoke to find himse
helf-raised on his elbow and listenr
intently. Even as he listened can
three sharp raps on the side OF II
shanty as if made with bone or han
cudgel; then he heard swift foot-steI
up the gangway. He ran out, fashC
his lamp IN all directions but cou
discover nothing. Then it occurred
him that the men were having fun wi
the green" hand. He smiled al
turning in, paid no more attentiC
to the raps or other peculiar nois
which occurred at intervals, thinkiI
no more than that the sounds we
peculiar to the mine or that the m,
were "hard-up" for amusement.
between sleeping and working the loI
hours of the night wore away and Il
hour of release came, bringing Sane
with his, "mornin'. hod did ye Il
nicht?" Thorn said. "Oh, ali rlgl
Its a lazy job, not enough to fill in q
time" He noticed Sandy looking cuI
ously at him but attributed il 10 &
fact that the men must have 10
Sandy of their pranks of the previo
night. Thorn made no remarks abo
the disturbances and with a Carele
question as to the weather abo
ground. bade Sandy good-by and glad
sought the outside world
The next evening, as an antidc