Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-08-19
By Robert Buchanan.
o9O

81 think l have heard a good deal on
this subject from you beforeF"
You have, sir, and you have taken
no heed; but the time has passed for all
that-each day the danger grows, and
now at any moment the sea may break
in and every soul be killed."
DO the men know of the danger which
you say is threatening them?"
Most assuredly they do"
And do they refuse to workf'
mo; where would be the use? If they
left the mine, they would be thrown out
of employment, and then their families
would starve. Better for them to hold
their W lives in their hands than to ex-
pose their wives and children to such a
fate."
Very good; then, since by your own
showing o are the only discontented
spirit, it's time for you to CO."
Il have been expecting this for n long
time, and it has come. Well, so much
the better" | retOrted. 81 warn you,
however, that I shall do my duty, and
let the company know the exact state of
affairs"
He turned to Johnson, and l saw the
two exchange a significant smile; then
his face hardened as he replied, contemp-
t%uously:
"You will, of course, do as you please;
only oblige me by getting out of my en-
ployment as quickly as possible"
ut will be a good riddance!' muttered
Johnson, breaking in for the first time.
"Trelawney has always been a croaker."
III croak to some tune" l cried, fac
ing him, IF you presume to talk to me.'
Presume, indeed" he repeated, turn
ing white with fear or malice. "'Tain't
must presumption, l guess, to take down
a young cock-o'-the-walk who puts on
airs as if he was a gentleman. If Mr..
George had listened to my advice, he'd
have got rid of you long ago.
Come along, Johnson" said Redruth;
hes not worth talking to-"
But | clenched my fists and blocked
the way. l suppose there was something
In my face which looked ugly, for the
two men recoiled before me. Several of
the miners, attracted by our high words,
had now gathered, and were looking on
In establishment.
Il know well an honest man Is not
""hlVu heit, l. sdlu. We Known tnat
for many a long day. Like master, like
man. You, sir, wan a s%coundrel to do
your dirty work.. and here he is, ready
made, to your hand-as mean and cow
ardly a scoundrel as ever drew breath!'
Out of the way, you rufian!" cried
Redruth, lifting his cane.
But he knew better than to strike me;
he knew that, if he had lone so, | would
have thrashed him within an inch of his
life; and he knew, too, that not one man
there would have raised a finger to pro-
tect him, though he was the master of
the mine.
But the presence of the onlookers, l
suppose, made his companion foolhardy;
for, stepping forward, livid with passion,
he shook his fist in my face.
WHO are you calling a scoundrelY'
he cried. DO you know who | am? I'm
overseer of this here mine, and you,
you're a beggar, that's what you are!
He had proceeded thus far when, with
out more parley, unable to resist the
provocation of his close proximity, l
quietly knocked him down.
As he fell, George Redruth sprang to-
ward me, and struck at me with his cane;
but tore the cane from his hand, broke
it into pieces, and flung it away.
Take care, sir". l said, Il may hurt
you, too, if you go too far"
He drew back, trembling. 1t was not
for hours afterwards that l realized what
| had done; and even then l am afraid
| did not regret my hasty conduct. Young
and rash, | did not fear to face the world,
thntnh thn ,,t,a 49,. .z
had no other means of maintenance.