Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-05-08


with such emphasis that sat bolt up
right, looking anxiously about.
ooh. no need for alarm! He's not
after you particularly-at least not to-
day." said Craig, with a shadow of a
smile. "But he is geing about in good
style, can tell you"
BY this time was quite awake.
"Well, what particular style does his
majesty affect this morningw
He pulled out a showblll. "Pecul-
iarly gaudy and effective, is 1t not?"
The items announced were sufficient
ly attractive. The Frisco Opera COM
pany was to produce the screaming
farce" "rhe Gay and Giddy Dude"
after which there was to be n grand
ball. during which the "Kalifornia Fe-
male Kickers" were to do some fancy
figures, the whole to be followed by
"bg supper" with "two free drinks to
every man and one to the lady" and
all for the Insignificant sum Of 50.
Cant you go one betterT" l said.
He looked inquiringly and little
disgustedly at me.
"What can you 10 against free drinks
and dance, not to speak of the high
kickers?" he groaned. "No," he con
tinued. "It's clean beat for us today.
The miners and lumbermen will have
in their pockets $4,000 and every dol
lar burning a hole, and Slavin and his
gang will get most Of it. But" he
added. you must have breakfast.
You'll find a tub in the kitchen. Don't
be afraid to splash. 1t is the best
have to offer you"
The tub sounded inviting, and before
many minutes had passed l was in a
delightful glow, the effect of cold water
and rough towel and that conscious.
ness of virtue that comes to n man
who has had courage to face his cold
bath on a winter morning.
The breakfast was laid with fine
taste. A diminutive pine tree in pot
hung round with wintcrgreen stood in
the center of the table.
"Wcll. now. this looks good-porridge,
bcefstcak, potatoes, toast and marina
lade"
II hope you will enjoy it ALL"
There was not much talk over our
meal. Mr.. Craig was evidently preoc-
cupicd and as blue as his politeness
would allow him. Slavin's victory
weighed upon his spirits Finally he
burst out: Look here! can't
won't stand IT. Something must be
done. Last Christmas this town was
for two weeks, as one of the miners
said, "A little suburb of hell 1t was
something too awful. And at the end
of it all one young fellow was found
dead in his shack, and twenty or more
crawled back to the camps, leaving
their three months pay with Slavin
and his suckers. l won't stand it,
sayw He turned fiercely on me. whats
TO be donet"
This rather took me aback, for had
troubled myself with nothing Of this
sort in my life before. being fully Oc-
cupied in keeping myself out of diff
Guilty and allowing others the same
privilege. SO | ventured the consola.
ton that he had done his part and that
q spree more or less would not make
much difference to these men. But the
next moment wished had been slow
er in speech. for he swiftly faced me
and his words came like a torrent:
God forgive You that heartloss word
Do you know But. no; YOU don't
know what YOU are saving. You don't
know that these men have been clam
bering for dear life out of ii fearful pit
for three months past and doing good
climbing, tco poor chaps. You don't
think that some of them have wives
most of them mothers and sisters. il
the east or across the sea. for whose
sake they are shaving here, the miner!
hoping to save enough to bring thci
families to this homeless place, th'
rest to make enough to 90 back Will
credit. Why, there's Nixon, miner
splendid chap, who has been here 70
two years and drawing the highcS
pay. Twice he has been in sight of hi
heaven. for he can't speak of his wifi
and babies without breaking up, AM
twice that slick son of the devil-that
Scripture. mind -Slavin, got hin
and rolled him. rs the boys say. IL
went back to the mines broken i'll bod.
and in heart. He says this is his thir'
and last chance. If Slavin gets him
his wife and babies will never see hin
on earth or in heaven. There are san
dy and the rest too. And" he added il
II lower tone and with the curious littl
thrill of pathos in his voice, this is tn
DAY the Saviour came to the world"
He paused. and then with little sat
smile, But don't want to abuse you.
"Do. enjoy it. I'm beast, a self
ish beast For somehow his intense
blazing carncstncss made me feel TN
comfortably small.
What have we to offer:" l demand
ed.
"Wait till l have got these thing
cleared away and my housekeepin,
done"
pressed my services upon hin
somewhat feebly, | own, for l can
bear dishwater, but he rejected IN,
offer.
, 81 don't like trusting my china to tn
hands of tcnderfoot."
'Quitc right, though your china woul
= prove an excellent means of defense a
long range"
1t was delft quarter OF an Inc
thick, so smoked while he washed NJ
/ swept, busted and arranged the room.
After the room was ordered to hi