The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-13

thracite coal, and in the beauti-
full valley Of the Jackawanna |
mining or digging the dusky |
- diamonds" and transporting |
them to less favored portions of
the United States, or to foreign
countries is its chief industry.
To one not accustomed to the sight,
| the professions of miners, driver boys,
and slate pickers, their persons ana
| clothing ebonized by the dust from the
black Jewels, vending their way home
ward from their days work in those
dark caverns, lighted only by the lamps
fastened to their caps, is pictures
que scene, and one not soon to be for
gotten.
Richard Darcy. or Dick as he was
familiarity called, lived in suburb OF
the thriving city Of Scranton, and was
a driver boy in the Pine Brook mines.
He was nearly fifteen years of age, but
so small, he looked much younger He
was fond of books, and wished very
much to attend school, but his father
was unable to work, and there were
two little sisters and baby brother
to fed and clothe, so it was necessary
for Dick to work. His mother served
a few families as helper. as often as
she could be spared from home, and
together they managed to keep the
wolf from the door"
The family had been most unfort-
unate. Mr.. Darcy had been injured
by a fall of rock and the eldest two
sons, Edward and James. who were
driver boys, lost their young lives in
the mines. These sorrows made
deep impression on Dicks sensitive
nature. He resolved to be truthful,
honest and never to utter an oath.
When he was about thirteen years
old, he had an experience that changed
the whole course of his young life.
He was walking down LaCkawanna
avenue and chanced to pass a young
lady who accidently dropped her pocket
book near him. He quickly picked it
, up. No one seemed to notice the event.
though the stret was thronged with
, people at the time. The tempter
whispered keep it," Only for an in
e stant did he waver, then turning, dart
up the street
4 He soon overlook the owner, and
handing it to her, respectfully said, lady
you dropped your pocket book" She
had not missed it, and was surprised
/, as we'll as pleased. She thanked him.
: and offered him coin for his trouble.
He refused to accept it, and as she look
ed into his honest face she knew why.
. why did you not keep it?" She
+ queried. (to test him still further.) "No
!, one would have known it,"
p II would have known it, he answer
d ed and IT would make me very un-
/. happy" She smiled. then inquired his
n name and place of residence. He
= answered in a straight forward, man
y | bn ha a in,
: good by" and passed on. Her smile
!, of APPROVAL made Dick happy. That
d evening as the family had retired to
" the little sitting room. after their fruga
10 meal there was a gentle knock at the
&c door. Dick opened it and there to his
3. great surprise and delight, was the
beautiful young lady. to whom he haC
returned the pocket book in the after
noon.
:. She introduced herself as Lillar
a Letcher She possessed very swee
t. voice and most winning smile. 7,
e the parents. she related the incident o
o the pocket book, and congratulated
a them on having son who was homes
= and upright-coaXed the shy girls L
. her side, and with an arm around each
d told them pretty stories, till their eye
II grew wide with interest, then kisse'
'e and petted baby Bobbie and directl
q won the family to her
- She pictured to Dick the Sunda,
=, school where she had a class of boy
d about his age, that she was Yer,
rs anxious to have him join the following
to Sabbath. Dick promised and afte
ID assuring them that she had spent
" most enjoyable evening, and to thei
y, cordial invitation no come again,
n promised to visit them in the nea
10 future, she kissed the rosy lips of tn
ry little ones, pressed warmly the to
m worn hands of the others and bad
'e them pleasant good evening. Mis-
~ Letcher left each member of the faml
in pleasant frame of mind. The littl
of ones prattled for days about the prett
pn lady, and the dolls and pictures tina
Sc she promised them when she cam
It. again, and the elders heartily wishe
ss that her stay might not he long.
A promise with Dick was not to b
broken. Early Sunday morning, wit
- clean face, hair neatly combed. and h
clothes Qf they were coarse) CAREFUL
brushed Dick was at the Sunda
school. Miss Letcher greeted him wit
a smile introduced him to the boys VIII
were to be his class mates and cor
versed with each a few moments abol
his home and friends, before beginnin
the lesson. which was explained 5
on clearly and interspersed with such er
he tertaining stories, the attention OF II
at class was held 10 its close.
c Dick was very much interested. Il
ey was also delighted with the music ar
'al songs. He had a fine voice and love
Nn TO sing When the exercises wei
ks finished Miss Letcher bade them
ty smiling "good-by," with the reque
We that all would come again the ne!
he Sunday.
he Dick promised and from that ds
u- forth, there was no storm too seve
on to keep from his place in the Sunds
es. school Miss Letcher was a since
les christian teacher. She was anxious f
DIS the souls of her pupils, and prayt
ny fervently for their conversion. She hs
the rare gift of carrying her listne
with her. They felt the nearness of Il
lty character she portrayed When she I
nd peated the old, old story of Jesus al
ide His love, His humiliation, private
as and ignominous death on the eros
ow to save a lost and sinful race, quotii
ng the Saviour's own words, Greater 10
ar hath no man than this, that a man Il
the down his life for his friends "fe a
ap- my friends, if ye do whatever | cor
tly mand you"
lis Her pupils were deeply moved. Di
md became dissatisfied with himself
,vs longed to be a christian lpt I
tbe | wav scanned dark as the mines in viii