The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-05-17

"Bon! OATS good for you, my bully
boy" said Baptiste. a wiry little French
Canadian Sandys sworn ally and de-
voted admirer ever since the day when
| the big Scotsman, under great provo
cation, had knocked him clean of the
dump into the river and then jumped
! In for him.
1t was not till afterward learned
the cause OF Sandy's sudden wrath
which urged him TO such unwonted
length OF speech. IL was not simply
that the Presbyterian blood carried
with II reverence for the minister and
contempt for papists and Fenians. but
that he had n vivid remembrance OF
how, only a month ago. the minister
had got him out OF Mike Slavin's sa-
loon and out OF the clutches OF Keefe
and Slayin and their gang OF blood
suckers.
Keefe started up with a curse. Bap
tiste sprang to Sandy's side, slapped
him on the back and called out:
You keel him! I'll hit (eaD him up
me-"
II looked as II there might be fight
when a harsh voice said in low saw
age tone:
stop your row, you blank fools!
Settle II, IL you want TO. somewhere
else"
turned and was amazed TO see old
man Nelson, who was very seldom
moved to speech.
There was look of scorn on his
hard, iron gray face and OF such set
tied fierceness as made me quite be-
lieve the tales had heard of his dead
ly fights In the mines al the coast. Be
fore any reply could be made the min
lister drove up and called out In a
CHEEKY voice:
Merry Christmas, boysl Hello, San
dy! Comment ca VA, Baptistef How
do you do Mr.. Graeme"
First rate. Let me introduce my
friend. Mr.. Connor. sometime medical
, student. now artist, hunter and tramp
[ at large. but not a had sort"
"a man to be envied." said the min
] lister. smiling. II am glad to know any
friend of Mr.. Graeme's."
liked Mr. Craig from the first iit
had good eyes that looked straight Out
I, at you. "A clean cnt, strong face, wei
. set on his shoulders and altogether
e an outstanding. manly bearing. lie In
e sisted on going with Sandy To the sta
j bles to see Dandy, his broncho put up
a Decent fellow" said Graeme; but
] though he is good enough TO his iron
cho. It is Sandy that's in his mint
r now"
4 Docs he come out often? I mear
j are you part of his parish. SO e
speak,"
p 81 have no doubt he thinks SO, ant
e I'm blowed II he doesn't make thu
9 Presbyterans OF us think 80 too" An'
= he added. after a pause: ~ d0ndy 10
g OF parishioners we are for any man
< There's SANDY now He would knoci
{ Keefc's head Off as a kind of religion
g exercise. but tomorrow Eeefe will b
q sober. and Sandy will be drunk as
lord. and the drunken he is the bette
: Presbyterian he'll be, TO the preacher
disgust" Then after another pause
Z he added bitterly: But il IS not 70
e me to throw rocks NJ Sandy. ] am no
= the same kind OF fool. but | ans foe
= OF several other sorts"
q Then the cook came out and beat
D. tattoo on the bottom of a cishpaI
Baptiste answered with n yell. bu
~ though keenly hungry, no man woul
ID demean himself TO do other than wal
with apparent reluctance 20 his plac
10 nj the table st the farther end Of tn
camp was big fireplace. and from IN
~ door 10 the fireplace extended The Ion
le board tables. covered with plausrs {
u turkey not too scientifically earvet
81 dishes OF potatoes. bowls OF appl
NJ sauce. plate of butter pies and small'
= dishes distributed AT regular interval
~ Two lanterns hanging from the no,
~ and a row of candles stuck INTO q
" wall or either side by means OF 81
re sticks cast dim weird light over II
scene.
There was moments silence. an
~ nj nod from Graeme, Mr.. Craig ro'
~ and said.
II don't know how you feel about
iu men. but TO me this looks good enoue
Ut to be thankful for"
Fire ahead, sir" called out vote
u, quite respectfully. and the minist'
:" bent his head and said;
"a "For Christ the Lord. who came
y save us, for all the love and goodnc
we have known and for these thy elf
w TO MS this Christmas night, our Fathe
VI make us thankful Amen"
w Bon! OATS fuss rate" said ia
tiste: "seems lax OATS make me i
more better for sure"
And then no word was spoken FOR
nv quarter Of an hour The occasion "!
~ far too solemn and moments too pr
!, cious FOR anything so empty as word
I. but when the white pllcs Of bread AZ
~ The brown piles Of turkey Ind for
'"' second time vanished and after the In
pie had disappeared there came a pau
a. a. and n hush Of expectancy. whcrcupi
y, the cook ana cookeo. each bearing ulu
a huge. blazing pudding. came forth.