Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-10
CHAPTER XIII.
The Ranouet at RUBY Hill.


know which way the cat Is going to
jump" remarked Penrose sadly to himself
as he walked home after the debate. But
whoever could prognosticate - prognosti-
Gates a good word-that things would
turn out as they did!'
He tore up the report of the evening
meeting, which had been awaiting the
actual event for verification, and wrote
another in an entirely different vein, eulo-
giving Vaughan and the Irish, and giving
a humorous account of his own defeat.
A few days later the cat jumped again,
in the same direction ana further. He was
waited on by a company OF HlDernlanS,
who informed him they were going to give
Vaughan a banquet out at Ruby Hill. They
wished him TO be present and ito write
the thing up"
This was something which Penrose could
not afford to lose. Kicker would be there
and would say grace; that alone would be
worth the journey. Other Cornishmen be-
sides Kicker and Penrose were invited, to
draw the fire of the Irish 1t would be a
great occasion. Penrose equipped himself
with writing pad ana pencil and went early
to take it all in"
The tables, long boards laid on trestles,
were laid in the large hall owned by the
Miners Union. The banqueters were al
ready IN their places when Penrose en-
tered. Kicker and Vaughan were at the
heads of the two long tables. The Irish
men were out in full force, 1.-The old resi-
dents" dressed in American store clothes,
the green" new arrivals arrayed in pic
turesque waistcoats and trousers of varied
color and extravagant pattern, brought
from the south and west of Ireland. Cor
nish homespun played similar part in
distinguishing newcomers among the Cor
nlsh miners, who were present In large
numbers
The tables were full. Every one was in
the best of humor, taking hard rubs and
giving them with equal good nature. When
Penrose had been directed TO his seat and
one or two other late corners had drifted
into theirs, Kicker stood up and raped on
the table with the handle of mis- knife.
There was instant silence. "Ricker's go
ing TO say grace. This'll put on the cap
sheaf." his next neighbor whispered 20
Penrose.
Kicker ran his eye over the table. There
were all sorts of viands to offset the alb
sence of liquors prescribed by him
self and Vaughan alike; but, as II in
ronic disregard OF his own wellknown
vegetarian tendencies, some one had set
before him on a huge platter a suck
ing pig, roasted whole, with an apple
in his mouth Kicker saw nothing else.
He gave the pig despairing glance, rolled
his blue eyes piously heavenward, clasped
his hands and began:
80 Lord. II Thou canst bless under the
dispensation OF the New. that which Thou
didst curse under the dspensation of the
Old, If Thy blessing rest upon that
into which, when Thou vast upon earth,
Thou didst permit the devils to enter, then
do Thou bless this roast pig" he paused
and added hurriedly. land the other foods
provided for us at this time. Amen"
He sat down amid a hum of approval.
which, under purely secular conditions,
would have exploded into handclappings
and cheers, and, leaning over the table,
called out. Brother Tregoning, I'll thank
yer for that piel''
Cake, fruit, nuts were added to the pie
by those who sat near. they. meanwhila,
bearing off in triumph the pig; and the
merriment began, one table wing with the
other in anecdote and witticism, each greet
ed by roars of delight
In the midst OF IL Vaughan became aware
that some one was standing in the open
doorway regarding him with fixed, earnest
gaze. He looked up and saw Frank Hen
ley.
With sudden premonition of impending III
Vaughan sprang to his side.
Frank had a black-bordered envelope in
his hand He gave II to Vaughan without
word. 1t was from the aged pastor ct
home. who had written on 1t in his cramped
old hand with speed"
Vaughan broke the seal and red. Frank
watched the color leave his face. Down
one page, across another, darted his troii-
BLEED glance He read to the end then re-
folded the sheet with trembling fingers.
ANY one dead?" inquired Frank briefly.
Vaughan bowed. unable to speak
ANY of your folkST
"Father-and mother too.'' was the an
SWGr, IN a low MISREPRESENTATION soiCe
Frank turned toward the tables where
the feasters sat. They had returned, after
| the imperceptible pause. to the roast pig
! and the pies and cakes and the stories and
| songs Wherever the parson went, they
/ had said there was always somebody look
/ ing for him
"Ill tell Kicker and he can tell them"
| said Frank. 60 and get ready and well
\ go back to town. l came down Black
! Birdie You can take her and I'll get an
| other horse"
! He made his way 10 the head of the table
/ where Kicker sat and briefly made known
| TO him the nature of the message he had
brought
Intense sympathy manifested itself in the
| Cornishman's rough. kindly face and IN
| his manner as he laid his big hands on the
| table and rose to his feet
MY friends" he called to the banquet
| ers. Walt minute. He raised his
hand,
sorrow has come to our Brother
| Vaughan! His father and his mother have
/ both gone hence-and have left him desc.
! latei Let pray!'
| With bowed heads they sat among thell
| viands. while Kicker poured out his heart
| in an appeal for help for Vaughan and Q
\ lesson for themselves
Clement and Frank heard him through