Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-04-27

ITO the whole Of five men-not count
n meself," answered Kelly with TO
yuish grin. "And I'm a har-r-rd mas
err
A roar of laughter responded to his
lest.
"Down with the oppressor OF labor!
shouted Munro. "Off with s head"
Kelly playfully struck at him vita
his hat and then became serious.
''Now. boys, let me tell you. l hon.
estly don't think you need a union.
The landscape is wide up here; there's
a chance for every man in the hills.
I believe in the big, free land. When
any man tries to corner me, l take me
mule and strike out into the wild coun-
try. l have no fear Of the Red Star
Mining company nor any other, and
YOU needn't. | do not oppose the I'M
ion. Mind what I'm sayin'. It's well
enough for those who believe In 1t
and made it, but lave me out OF 1t.
The Kellys will take care OF them
selves"
Larned was on the box before Kelly
had time to get down and, leveling Ills
finger at him, cried out sharply:
"That's all well and good for you,
Matt Kelly, a skilled prospector, a
man with a paying mine already, but
how about these men who have no
skill in finding gold, who are working
for money to start themselves a home!
How about those who are hoping TO
bring their families here and clothe
and educate them? They are not so
fond of all outdoors. They haven't
even the mule and the grub stake
They are holed up five hundred OF
thousand feet underground, working
for a company, and this company, l
tell YOU. has no. regard for its hands.
Their interests are not those of the
miner. You may barney all you like,
but the miners must look out for their
own interests, just as the employer
hires lawyers and agents to look after
his"
every true" replied Kelly calmly.
"I'm not objectin' to that. Organize
and take care O labors interests, but
don't ask me, an employer of, labor,
to throw up me hat when you vote to
raise the wages of me five men. HI
fight scandalous"
$50 it. Kelly! You have him on
three legs and goin'?' shouted wag'
and. amid the laughter that followed
Kelly leaped down and made for the
door.
When Raymond overlook him again
he was in talk with lean young Eel
low with large, bright eyes, who had
the tone of an old and bitterly disap'
pointed man.
Kelly introduced him. "Rob, shake
hands with Mr.. Dolan, correspondent
of the Valley Springs News. Jim, THIS
is my new partner"
Dolan, as he clasped hands, remark
ed, you've met up with a good man.
q man that won't do ye, and there
aren't many like him in this town"
Only long after did it come to Ray
mond's mind that Kelly had been Civ
ing Dolan note concerning theli
plans and that his whereabouts would
be at once made known to Valley
Springs and to Louis.
"Who is this man Munro?' asked
Raymond as they left the reporter and
started for home.
"He's a devil-may-care chap from
Red Cliff. He pretends to be miner
and is q partner with an old fellow on
the north side O the hill, but he's
workin' for Hanley-lookout for the
roulette wheel. The boys all think a
heap of him. They say he always gives
'em square DEAL"
"Does her?
81 think so. never heard to the con-
trary."
"Larned was right about the union"
said Raymond, "The big owners IN
the Springs are sending east for their
miners. They know that men like you
and me will not do their deep work fol
them. He's right, too, in saying these
cowboys and farm hands from the
states won't make miners. They dom
intend to work underground. Wei
find ourselves left short some morning
if we depend on these fellows, who car
hit the trail at ten minutes notice"
"Sure thing" said Kelly. "This get
tin under the crust o. the earth and
livin' there is unholy businessmen fol
free men like ourselves. It's all goin
to be done by the RoOshians and the
dagoes."
In silence the two men looked abroad
over the valley toward the dim line Of
peaks family lit by the big silver
bright moon.
A sentence from Richter came int
Raymonds mind, "In the presence o.
beauty, beneath the stars, men thinl
of love-" and his heart ached with
sense Of loss.
Unconsciously, in spite Of his at
tempt to put himself away from he
presence, Ann had come to dominate
his musing hours. At thought OF he
he grew resolute and hopeful and
reaching forth a powerful hand, crap
pied the air as If it were the throat o
a hitherto invincible opponent ant
said, II will VIM He acknowledge
that wealth had power to aid him. "S'
long as 1 am unknown and poor. ant
in disgrace she can only consider M
what 1 ana failure. Money Is
measure of value, and wealth mus
have first; then leisure and the highe
life"
(tYY DTED VT