Curiously innocent ideas those old country
people have of the reforming properties of this atmosphere! They send
their young bloods here to reform. Here! in this devil's camp-ground,
where a man's lust is his only law, and when, from sheer monotony, a man
must betake himself to the only excitement of the place--that offered
by the saloon. Good people in the east hold up holy hands of horror at
these godless miners; but I tell you it's asking these boys a good deal
to keep straight and clean in a place like this. I take my excitement
in fighting the devil and doing my work generally, and that gives me
enough; but these poor chaps--hard worked, homeless, with no break or
change--God help them and me!' and his voice sank low.
'Well,' I persisted, 'did Mavor reform?'
Again he roused himself. 'Reform? Not exactly. In six-months he had
broken through all restraint; and, mind you, not the miners' fault--not
a miner helped him down. It was a sight to make angels weep when Mrs.
Mavor would come to the saloon door for her husband.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86