Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-04-26


myself wondering about that far down
light and about her voice-how it could
get that sound from far. away.
1 found the doctor quite drunk, as in
deed Mr.. Craig had warned, but his
drugs were good, and I got what l
wanted and quickly returned.
While Graeme slept Mrs. Mavor
made me tea. AS the evening wore on
1 told her the events of the day, dwell
ing admiringly upon Craigs general
ship.
She smiled at this.
''He got me, too," she said. "Nixon
was sent to me just before the sports,
and I don't think he will break down
today, and am so thankful" And her
eyes glowed.
81 am quite sure he WON'T" 1 thought
to myself, but said no word.
After long pause she went on, Il
have promised Mr. Craig to sing to-
night if am needed" and then, after
q moments hesitation, 1T is two years
since 1 have been able to sing-two
years." she repeated "since," and then
her brave voice trembled, my husband
was killed"
II quite understand" 1 said, having
no other word on my tongue.
"And," she went on quietly, II fear
have been selfish. It is hard to sing
the same songs. We were very happy.
But the miners like to hear me sing,
and I think perhaps it helps them to
feel less lonely and keeps them from
evil. I shall try tonight if am needed.
Mr. Craig will not ask me unless he
must"
l would have seen every miner and
lumberman in the place hideously
drunk before I would have asked her
to sing one song while her heart ached.
1 wondered at Craig and said rather
angrily:
'He thinks only Of those wretched
miners and shanty men Of his"
She looked at me with wonder in her
eyes and said gently:
"And are they not Christ's too?"
And found no word to reply.
1t was nearing 10 o'clock and was
wondering how the fight was going on
and hoping that Mrs. Mavor would not
be needed when the door opened and
old man Nelson and Sandy, the latter
much battered and ashamed came in
with the word for Mrs. Mavor.
II will come" she said simply. She
saw me preparing to accompany her
and asked, do you think you can
leave him?'
"He will do quite we'll in Nelson's
care" --""eeas@ e1H<-~-'. ~.@s,4-.,~
''Then I am glad, for must take my
little one with me. l did not put her to
bed in case I should need to go, and
may not leave her"
We entered the church by the back
door and saw at once that even yet the
battle might easily be lost.
Some miners had just come from
Slavin's, evidently bent on breaking
up the meeting in revenge for the COL
lapse Of the dance, which Slavin was
unable to enjoy, much less direct.
Craig was CALAMITY holding his ground,
finding it hard work to keep his men
in good humor and so prevent fight,
for there were cries of put him out!
Put the beast outr' at a miner half
drunk and wholly outrageous.
The look of relief that came over his
face when Craig caught sight of US
told how anxious he had been and
reconciled me to Mrs. MAYORS singing.
THANK the good Godw he said, with
what came near being a sob. II was
about to despair"
He Immediately walked to the front
and called out:
Gentlemen, if you wish it, Mrs. Ma
vor will sing"
There was a dead silence. Some one
began to applaud, but a miner said
savagely:
stop that, you fool"'
There was a delay of a few moments |
when from the crowd a voice called |
out:
docs Mrs. Mavor wish to sing?"
followed by cries of AYE, that's it?'
Then Shaw, the foreman at the
mines, stood up in the audience and |
said:
Mr.. Craig and gentlemen, you know |
that three years ago l was known as |
Old Ricketts, and that l owe all l |
I'M tonight, under God, to Mrs. Ma
yor and" with a little culver in his |
voice, cher baby. And we all know
why. And what I say is that if she
1oes not feel like singing tonight she
IS not going to sing to keep any drunk
IN brute of Slavin's crowd quiet
There were deep growls of approval
Ill over the church. could have hug
yed Shaw then and there. Mr.. Craig
vent to Mrs. Mavor and after a word |
With her came back and said:
Mrs. Mavor wishes me to thank her
lear friend Mr.. Shaw, but says she
would like to sing"
The response was perfect stiffness.
Ir. Craig sat down at the organ and
'layed the opening bars Of the touch
ng melody, loft In the Silly Night"
Irs. Mavor came to the front and,
With a smile Of exquisite sweetness
Ipon her sad face and looking straight
t us with her glorious eyes, began to