The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-02-10

'The sooner you let the miners know
and get things settled the better
Wilkerson licked his dry lips. The
battle was on. He broke the silence
by saying gruf1ly. Call 'cm up here.
Bill.
Nothing loath. Tubbs went out on
the porch. and his hoarse tones re-
sounded through the little valley. In
stantly men appeared from doorways.
came from 4 dozen places in response
70 that call. And women. clutching
their children. peered out to see what
was in the air.
When the men were gathered before
him Wilkerson stepped forward and
commenced to speak. He could not
break their sullen silence. and. after n
few words Of generalities. he mustered,
his courage and shouted: II ann the
owner of this mine. have the deeds
right here!"
The effect of this was far other than
he had expected. Not Il murnur came
from the still. motionless throng. It
was as If they had not heard him. In
lower tone lie repeated it. II am the
owner OF the Master Key mine and all
that goes with it,
He held up the papers. and Bill
Tubbs looked mt them and gravely nod
ded his head. as much as to say that
he had inspected them and could vouch
for their authenticity. Still no sound
from the miners.
There is Il quality in the silence Of
the crowd of earnest men that is more
questioning than any word could Ike.
The men who had worked and toiled
for old Tom Gallon. who had been de-
ceived and baftied. who had had their
loyalty tested to the utmost. now de-
mandel through their inlpcrious ST.
lcnce that Wilkerson open up his mind
to them. II he was indeed the owner
Of the Master Key" what did he in
tend to do?
You'd better say some more quick
ly," warned Drake in low tone. And
Wilkcrson. completely bewildcred. set
the match to the powder He stepped
forward with as ugly a look as he
could assume and cried, "Now tell me
what you want:"
Instantly the air was filled with
rcars Of rage and disappointment.
Fifteen minutes later Harry Wilker-
son was sweating within the cabin.
With a shaking hand he poured him
self out tumbler OF Tubbs' whisky.
He had promised the miners back pay.
steady work. full wages and food. He
must make good. and he did not know
how.
"Tubbs," he said sharply, "you must
find out what men we can trust. Say
nothing. but get all the information
YOU can. I'll make it worth the while
of the men who'll stick by me-"
Again the engineer chuckled fatuous-
ly. They'll all stick by ye." he said
sagely. "slong as yc pay 'em like you
said We would"
It was late in the afternoon when
Tom Kane appeared on, the mail wag.
ON. The driver had already informed
him of how affairs We're going. and
(khc cook wasted no time. He climbed
down from the high seat. jerEed his
battered case out Of the wagon and
made straight for his shanty. Within
five minutes he had Invested himself
of his black clothes and donned his
official overalls and apron. Then he
appeared on the porch as calm and UNI
concerned as though he had not been
away.
In no time at all couple Of dozen
miners had gathered to shake hands
and swap news Naturally their big
gest item was Willerson's prOclama-
ton of ownership.
At this Tom Kane laughed scorn-
fully. He derided the papers. ridiculed
the miners for being fools easily taken
in and stated in set terms that he.
Tom Kane, actually held the place of
authority.
This soon came to Wikersons ears.
and he hurried down the hill to stop
what lie knew to be Il dangerous seces-
sion. Instantly the old cook locked
horns with him, poohpoohed him to
his face. called him names OF peculiar
virulence and offered to fight him on
any terms.