Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12

(Copyright)
III OUNDS like Grandma Zuius."
~ said young Antan to his
- ': ::ass voice. certainly Mix
olas the broad-shouldered
scowled as he smote the lump of coal to
wedge it on the little car.
Making a match. as usual. Whom is
she after this timer
Three lights shone in the gangway at
the mouth of the chamber. A mans
voice answered the old woman's cackle.
speaking in the Lithuanian tongue and
rather loudly.
Our boss. Mikol." The younger Ia
borer Uttered. And the grip
Mikolas growled. but looked sidewise at
the three figures coming UP the middle of
the chamber. Grandma Zuius. withered
little witch in black calico wrapper, bore
a candle and chung to the girls arm. The
lamp upon the girls cap showed their
faces plainly.
1T is the girl from Matcavage's the
greenhorn-the one ! told you was pretty.
Mikol. Now see what Jonas says; he will
not pay you for cutting his coal; he knows
II you said much the mine boss would
chase you away for doing it without a
paper.
Curse the paper, l have worked for
him seven months now. and so have you
just wait till we have a little more Eng
lish. boy. and we will buy US papers and
go miner ourselves. We know as much
as Jonas Malukas already. He is no
good"
The two !aborers ceased their work as
the guests approached, stood upright and
nodded greeting. II was ladies' day in
Carbury shaft and the one occasion of
the year when tie usages of society fol-
low a man under ground
Grandma Zuius gave a cracked "Geras
rytas in answer to their mute saluta-
ton. The girl smiled. She was a small.
plump lass round of cheek and shoulder
with bright gray eyes and scarlet mouth.
The miner turned to the two women.
heSe fellows are such lazy liars. In
stead of loading coal they turn to and set
off four blasts. They hope to charge me
extra, of course, but they can't fool me-
The gray-eyed girl was Nor, good
natured. Il wonder myself" said she,
that they are not afraid To work in the
mines at all after living all their lives
ont OF sight OF the sky. l should be
afraid, il / had to stay down long. And
To lift the coal, lump after lump-such
hard work. from morning till night
You need not be afraid when You are
with me- Malukas told her. His fat face
folded into a smile. Il have Skill know
ing the mines for years. Keep close to
me and there is no danger. Hey Mikol-
Mikoias! Come here; need YOU.
What for?''
Come here, Instantly! These ladies
have no time To waste. | shall need you
mp the road. Push yoiir shoes faster
clodhopper! No, no. run. YOU idiot. Rum,
Mikol Szirdelis down the cham
her at a deliberate walk. putting on his
coat. Jonas frowned, but confined his
abuse to words
There. caterpillar, You can finish your
work when | GET through with you Now
walk with the little one. Be polite 10 her
There. you have my orders. Go ahead of
me
Mikol opened an air door in the gang
way and the four passed through. He
would have led on further. but the mas
ter called halt.
stay here and open that" Malukas or
dered.
What If there is gas up there?" re-
monstrated MikoI. He pointed up the
loop" the let, narrow black pas
sage some 3oo ards long. u I'd by the
drivers when i, -hounI and outbound
t.frs must pass on No. s.
There Is nc gas. Hold the door open;
vii go on up and open the other on the
main road. ! wan; 20 show the women
how Ire air comes in all in rush There
vi be a fine vino taking the loop and
the main road together"
Go ~ the loop first. though. and make
sure. Tire boys have not drawn much
coal today; perha0a $50 one has been
tmosah since las sz
Muukas turned " tt au Ugly sheer.
"Oh -as. coward, J Know your idea,''
wait tt-.' and eJ ae get'
'.Non- use knee. tsis mine. You are
too smar, Do as va are told and quit
talking.
MaIukas strobe down the loop a few
Yards ard braced open the canvas door
which closed the near end of IL; Mikol
watched his lamp bob up and down as he
wedged sprag-pia home.
The miner returned and placed the two
women nearly opposite the mouth of the
toop.
II want To show You some thing. he
,xplaire.i Wait "A little. Now. coward,
keep that door open. will your" He turn