The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1902-05-17
CHAPTER II.
rnr nLAcK ROCK cImsrMAs.

M have | seen, but that wild
ksy% Black Rock Christmas stands
keS1y out strangest of all. While
was revellng In my delicious second
morning sleep, just awake enough TO
enjoy It, Mr. Craig came abruptly. an
nouncing breakfast and adding:
Hope you are In good shape, for we
have our work before us this day"
"Hellor / replied, still half asleep
and anxious TO hide from the minister
that | was trying TO gain few more
moments OF snoozing delight. whats
abroadT'
"The devil" he answered shortly and
with such emphasis that | sat bolt up
right. looking anXiously about
"Oh. no need for alarm! He's not
after you particularly least not to-
day" said Craig. with shadow of
smile. But he Is going about In good
style. can tell you"
by this time | was quite awake.
wen. what particular style does his
majesty affect this morning.
he pulled out showbill. "Pecu;-
iarly gaudy and effective, is II not?"
The items announced were sufficient
IN attractive The Frisco Opera com
| pany was TO produce the screaming
4 farce" "The Gay and Giddy Dude.
after which there was 10 be grand
bail, during which the "Kalifornia Fee
male Kickers" We're to do some fancl
figures, the whole TO be followed by
big supper" with two free drinks e
every man and one 10 the lady," an'
all for the insignificant sum Of 50.
Cant you 20 one betterY' ! said.
lie looked inquiringly and n iittl
disgusteily NJ me.
What can you DO against free drink
and a dance, not TO speak OF the hig
kiclersY' hc groancd. NO" he col
tinued. ITS clean beat Tor ms today
The mincrs and lumhermon viii hav
I'm their pockets $4,000 and every do
lar burning a hole, and Slayin and hi
gang will get most OF it. But h
added. lyon must have breakfas
You'n md a tub in the kitchen. Don
! be afraid To splash 1t Is the best
have 10 Offer you"
The tub sounded inviting, and befor
many minutes had passed ! was in
; delightful glow. the effect Of coid waite
, and rough towel and that conscious
I ness OF virtue that comes TO ma
, who has had courage TO face his col
) bnth OH IA winter morning.
3 The breakfast was laid with fin
taste 4 dimlnutive pine tree In a pc
I hung round with wintcrgrcen stood l
the center Of the table
( well. now, this looks good porridg
Z bcefstcak. potatoes. toast and marm'
lndc."
Il hope you VIII enjoy II all"
/ There was not much talk over OF
! meal Mr. craig was evidently preo'
! cuplcd and as blue ms his politenes
would allow him. Slavin's victor
{ weighed upon his spirits. Finally h
! burst out: Look here! can't
, won't stand IL. Something must b
done. Last Christmas this town WA
for two weeks, as one OF the miner
said, "a little suburb OF hell IL wa
, something too awful. And at the en-
Of II all one young fellow was foun
dead IN his shack. and twenty or NOR
j
their three months pay with Slavi
and his suckers won't stand II,
sayr He turned fiercely on me. What
! 10 be doneR'
This rather took me aback. for ] la
) troubled myself with nothing OF TIL
sort in my life before. being fully o,
: cupied In keeping myself out OF dlfl
Guilty and allowing others the sam
! privilege So | vcnturcd the consolt
ton that he had done his part and tina
, 4 spree more on less would not max
much difference to these mon But ~
next moment wished had been SLOW
er III speech. FOR be- swiftly faced ms
) and his words camo like d torrent
/ God forgive sou thai hpartlcss wnre
5 80 you know Rut u0 Y1t dom
) know what you arn ayiu H0u DON
, know that thoso mn hdHe btsn clan
bcrne for atllfe out of feHer IL
/ Col three manils aud d9.u
climbing te0 hp l dnH
: thint uat oma lHem' have witu
mlat 0f tlm Hall a s.cm. B