Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1902-07-14
Black
Rock
By RALPH Common
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covered up in his hlthy, mOlderlnS Ded> |
clothes, with a half empty bottle of
whisky at his side. Geordie's grief and
rage were beyond even his Scotch con-
troll. He spoke few words, but these
were Of such concentrated vehemence
that no one felt the need Of Abe's as
sistance in vocabulary.
Poor Billy! We carried him to Mrs.
MAYORS home, put him in a warm
bath, rolled him in blankets and gave
him little sips of hot water, then of
hot milk and coffee, as l had seen a
clever doctor in the hospital treat a
similar case. Of nerve and heart de-
preston. But the already weakened
system could not recover from the aw-
full shock of the exposure following the
debauch, and on Sunday afternoon we
saw that his heart was failing fast.
All day the miners had been dropping
In to inquire after him, for Billy had
been a great favorite in other days,
and the attention Of the town had been
admiringly conferred upon his fight of
these last weeks. 1t was with no ordi-
nary sorrow that the news of his con-
dtion was received. AS Mrs. Mavor
sang to him his large, coarse hands
moved in time to the music, but he did
not open his eyes till he heard MIR.
Craigs voice in the next room. Then
he spoke his name, and Mr.. Craig was
kneeling beside him in q moment. The
words came slowly:
"Oi tried-to fight hit hout-but-Oi
got beaten. Hit 'urts to think 'e's
ashamed o. me. Ord like ia done bet
ter-Oi would"
Ashamed of you, Billyw said Craig
in voice that broke. mot he."
"And-ye hall-'elped me sou he went
on. "Oi wish Ord "a done better-Oi
do" And his eyes sought Geordie and
then rested on Mrs. Mavor, who smiled
back at him with world of love in
her eyes. "You hain't hashamed O. me
-yore heyes saigh So" he said, look
ing at her.
mo, Billy" she said, and 1 wonder
ed at her steady voice, mot a bit.
Why, Billy, am proud Of you"
He gazed up at her with wonder and
ineffable love in his little eyes, then
lifted his hand slightly toward her.
She knelt quickly and took it in both
of hers, stroking it and kissing it.
"Oi Taught TIA done better. Dim
lawful sorry OF went back on i'm. Hit
was the lemonade. The boys didn't
mean no arm, but hit started the ell
hinside.'
Geordie hurled out some bitter words
Don't be ard on 'em, Geordie. They
dn,N IN, hn nd II iS
eyes kept waiting till Geordie said hur
riedly:
INA, ma, lad! I'll just leave them til
the ALMIGHTY"
Then Mrs Mavor sang softly, smooth
ing his hand, Just as l AM" and Billy
dozed quietly for half an hour.
When he awoke again, his eyes turn
ed to Mr.. Craig, and they were trou
bled and anxious.
"Oi tried ard. OF wanted to win,
he struggled to say.
BY this time Craig was master o.
himself and he answered in a clear
distinct voice:
'Listen, Billy. You made a grea
fight, and you are going to win yet
And, besides, do you remember tn,
sheep that got lost over the noun
tainsY This parable was Billys spe
cial delight. "He didn't beat it whel
he got it, did he? He took it in hi
arms and carried it home, and so h
will you"
And Billy, keeping his eyes fastene
on Mr.. Craig, simply said:
evil 'e?'
"Surev said Craig.
evil 'e?' he repeated, turning hi
eyes upon Mrs. Mavor
"Why, yes, Billy" she answere
cheerily, though the tears were stream
ing from her eyes. 81 would, and b
loves you far more"
He looked at her, smiled and close
his eyes. put my hand on his hear
1t was fluttering feebly. Again tro1
bled look passed over his face.
oor-hold-mOther!' he viii
pered. -hin-the-wukus."
81 shall take care of her, Billy" sal
Mrs. Mavor in q clear voice, and aga
Billy smiled. Then he turned his ey'
to Mr.. Craig and from him to Geord
and at last to Mrs. Mavor, where the
rested. She bent over and kissed hi
twice on the forehead.
"Tel err" he said, with difficulty, &c
took me 'ome."
Eyes, Billyw she cried, gazing in
his glazing eyes.
He tried to lift her hand. She kiss
him again. He drew one deep brea
and lay quite still.
"Thank the blessed Saviour sa
Mr.. Craig reverently. He has TAX
him home"
But Mrs. Mavor held the dead ha
tight and sobbed out passionately:
"Oh, Billy, Billy, you helped me on
when needed help! l cannot forge
And Geordie, groaning, AYE, ladd
ladder passed out into the fading Zig
of the early evening.
Next day no one went to work, for