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

along the ridge toward Skytown,
which was built where the ground rose
from a pine clad plateau to rocky
point overlooking the valley 10 the
north. 1t had but one business street.
which repeated in implanted lumber
all the shoddy architecture Of pralrle
town. whose flaming battlements pre-
tend to a dignity which they 90 not
fulfill. -
The chief business of the street was
gambling. Next in order stood rum
selling. with asSaying q close tnlru.
The street was swarming, aspsual, Dut
the talk was directed for the moment
to one topic A convention OF miners
had been called to meet in the Golden
Horn saloon, and several who knew
Kelly called out Hello, Matt; we're
going to make you president OF the
union"
Kelly smiled as If all this were
Joke and introduced his friend ana
partner. Raymond shook hands WIN
each man heartily, well knowing tnat
if he were to remain in the camp 1t
would be well to be on friendly terms
with all. Following the lead of others,
they were soon wedged into a throng
which filled the largest saloon OF the
street. a huge gambling establishment
called the Golden Horn, Of which Mar
vim Hanley, celebrated gambler, was
proprietor.
For the first time since the opening
of The Golden Horns door gambling
was SUSPENDED and the machines OF
chance set aside. The proprietor,
male man with close clipped yellow
hair u man who looked like Cathonc
nriest mounted box at one END OF
the room and called the house to order.
"You know the purposes of this meet
ing" he said. "Now, who VIII you
have for chairman?
"Kelly! Kellyr' cried dozen men'
"Munrop' shouted those farther up
the hall.
"Moved and seconded that Munro De
chairman" said the smooth faced man.
"All who favor say Aver" A shout Oh
many mingled voices answered. up
posed. No." Only an obvious mlnorl-
tv voted "No." Munro is elected.
Jack, get up here"
AS the new chairman's head rose
above the throng Raymond experienc-
ed n shock. 81 know that man, ne
said under his breath. Munro was a
clean shaven, boyish fellow, with black
hair pushed back from his race ne
was. Young and handsome and began
Speaking in a clear, musical and most
nersuasive voice. 1t was plain he was
ON good terms with his audience ana
quite certain of himself
az don't know why should be mace
chairman of this meeting" he said aft
or some local illusions, unless 1t be TO
omen the way for the real speaker ana
man of the hour-the man who has
message for you-Tom Larned OF Dead
Pine"
While the crowd applauded Larned
climbed to his place and began 10
sneak. He was a short man, with
forward thrust of the chin. His high
forehead was smooth and pale, It's
calm lines in vivid contrast with his
burning blue eyes. He ignored all OF
Munro's Joking and thrust his way in
to the middle of his contention.
81 hear some men say we don't need
q union here, but 1 tell you you DO.
You're going the way of all mining
camps. AS soon as the claims are all
taken consultations begin and wages
will be cut. A big mining camp must
be run by union labor. The work has
got to be done by men bred to the
mine, and they must be organized. Ii
they're not, they'll work for nothing.
yhis camp is about to decline'-
mo! Nor shouted dozen men.
The speaker held up hand. wait
a moment! 1 mean to say that this
swarm of easy going tramps scratch
ing the surface looking for mine Will
begin to melt away. 1t is already melt
ing away. These men on horseback,
these grub stakers, these burro punch
ers, will not dig gold for other men"
["You bet they won't" shouted a big
lunged fellow.1 1.-THE real miners have
got to get underground and stay there!
You understand? Stay there! And
they will want somebody on top to
look after their interests. They'll want
q union if you don't; but, 1 tell you
you short term miners will want
l. LNal,pnar,v 9 n11t "
In such wise he argued, and ever
KeYy admitted the truth of what he
s--said. Others spoke, grizzled old fel
lows from other districts, men who haC
given I'D all hope of discovering leaC
for themselves; men with families tt
feed and educate, who had fallen tt
contentment with good wage and
steady lob. But in some OF thu
speeches a note Of bitterness TOWARD
valley Springs made itself heard. Sky
town had begun to hate the valley as
the home of those who lived on the la
bor of others, and some Of those in the
valley, as Raymond well knew, ex
pressed their contempt Of those who
dwelt In the Sky by calling them rec
necks," in allusion to their tanned OF
drink infamed faces. Politically the
two towns were already as wide apart
as the poles, and references to this oil
vision were numerous during the even
ing. The county was divided against
itself and hopelessly imbittered, and
Bozle was eager to be free from thu
valley.
Kelly, weary of the wrangle, touched