Lance met her glare with one of his own. “I only mentioned him. It’s not like I talk to that many people.”
“You’ve talked of nothing else since he found you two evenings ago. I’m tired of hearing the man’s name.”
Her brother glanced at their father before directing his attention to her. “No wonder he said he’d sworn not to marry a woman with red hair like yours and his sister’s.” He appeared shocked he’d blurted that out but Papa laughed.
Stammering, he tried to cover his blunder, “I mean he said he likes you.”
She rested both her palms on the table, her anger climbing. “Likes me, does he? But just the same vowed not to marry a woman like me? As if I’d want to marry a miner in the first place and him specifically.”
Her brother leaned forward. “He don’t plan to mine forever, Stella. He wants a ranch where he can raise horses. And he talks different than the others his age. He’s more like Papa.”
“Humph, he won’t earn the money to buy a ranch while working here.” Knowing he even wanted to was good news, but hopeless. She had no need of a dreamer; she wanted a man who made his dreams come true. Working for scrip would never buy anything worthwhile.
She reined in her thoughts and immediately guilt overwhelmed her. She’d vowed to be careful of her complaints for she didn’t want even to appear she criticized Papa. He worked so hard to feed and clothe them. But darn it, she didn’t want this life forever.
Lance hung his head. “Aw, I’ve made a mess of telling what he said. What he meant is that he didn’t intend to, but he admires you.”
Papa touched Lance’s shoulder. “Stop while you’re only a little behind, lad. You’d best let your sister mull this over in silence.”
“Yes, sir, I see that now.” He turned toward his father. “He also said you’d back me that day, Papa, and you did. Sorry I ran off like that.”
“That’s behind us now, son. Eat your dinner. Perhaps I should ask Finn to eat with us this Sunday.” Papa’s eyes twinkled with mischief.
Mama tried to hide a smile, but Nettie laughed openly.
Stella rose and carried her plate to the dishpan. “Thank you for thinking this is so humorous. Glad I could brighten your evening.”
Mama said, “Now, Stella, we weren’t laughing at you, but at the situation. Poor Mr. O’Neill is being talked about without being here to defend himself.”
Stella stood at the dishpan, her chest heaving with tears she dared not shed. She couldn’t say why Lance’s talk had upset her so much. Normally she would have laughed it off.
But Finn O’Neill was different than the other miners. He shared her love of music, he was a hard worker, and now she learned he didn’t plan to be a miner forever.
Stella spotted their dessert cooling beside the sink. She longed to throw the pie against the wall and wail at the hopelessness of their lives. Instead, she took a deep breath, forced a smile, and turned. “You’re right, Mama. Shall I bring our pie to the table?”
Gathering the dessert pan and small plates, she set them beside her place. Her chest ached from suppressing her emotions but, as she often did, she pretended nothing was wrong. What purpose would upsetting her family serve?
Nettie rose. “I’ll get the knife to cut the pie and refill everyone’s cup while I’m up.”
Dinner passed with chatter around her, but Stella only pretended to listen. She couldn’t get Finn O’Neill out of her thoughts. Did he actually admire her? Would he be able to break free from mining and someday buy a ranch? For his sake, she hoped he would. For their sakes, she hoped she and her family would also.
***
Finn had a plan to determine who had poked around his clothes. To tempt the guilty person, he took out his sister’s letter and read it at supper and then reread it before turning in. He pretended even more interest in her note than he had for by now he’d memorized the words.
That evening after everyone had turned in, Finn fought to remain awake while feigning sleep. He’d placed his clothes the usual way covering his boots. He was exhausted and couldn’t last long without sleep. Whoever was creeping around must have the same problem and he didn’t expect he’d have long to wait.
The longhouse filled with snores and deep breathing and a few men mumbled in their sleep. Finn didn’t believe he snored, but he did what he hoped was a good imitation of deep breathing. Soon the rustling of someone approached.
He lay perfectly still until he heard the sneak beside him. Swiftly, he sat up and grabbed the meddler’s arm.
Following a gasp, Jose whispered, “Aii, Señor O’Neill. I mean no harm.”
He was stunned that the guilty person was his crew mate and a man he liked. Tugging the man’s arm, Finn pulled him toward the door and outside. A bright moon shed light among the shadows. Noise from the night crew drifted up from across the ravine.
Though both men were barefoot and wore only their union suits, Finn tugged Jose far enough from the bunkhouse that they wouldn’t be overheard if their exit had waked anyone. He released Jose and faced the man. “Why are you nosing around my things?”
“Someone tells me that you are spying for the Monticello Coal Mine owner. I don’t believe this and we argue. He say if I check your things, I will find proof.”
“What kind of proof? You think I would work so hard for a bonus if I was here for another mine company?”
“This is what I told this man, but he insisted. We wagered money, señor, and you know I need the cash for my Maria.”
Finn’s anger grew that someone took advantage of this man who so wanted his wife with him. “Who put you up to this, Jose? I want his name.”
The other man shook his head. “I cannot say or he will be very angry with me and maybe he would not pay.”
“If you don’t say, I’ll be angry with you.” He tapped his chest. “You owe me the information, since you’re the one prying into my things.”
The other man shifted from one bare foot to the other, then raised a hand. “What you say is true. The man is Darius Hartford.”
“He’s in our longhouse. Why didn’t he search himself?”
“Because he sleeps at the other end from us. My bed is just across the aisle from yours. He says I can search without being caught.”
“Isn’t he the one who’s always talking up the unions?”
“Sí, that is him. Señor Farland cheats us in many ways, this is true. Hartford, he believes a union would help us. Perhaps he is right, but I do not want this talk to cost me my job.”
“Unions might help, but they also bring other problems. Why did Hartford pick you? Are you amigos?” Angry as he was at someone prying into his personal belongings, he knew how much Jose longed to have his wife with him. He directed his ire at Hartford for using this man so desperate for cash.
Jose shrugged. “He was hired when I was, so we were new together. But he has worked in a mine before in England. He gave me…what you call tips to help me.”
“Look, man, I like you and trusted you because we work together on the same crew. Hartford is using you. Tell him he’s wrong. I don’t work for another mine company. This one is all I can manage.”
“Por favor, I am sorry for my part. Perhaps he will agree I win the wager. It is for cash, not scrip and will help me save for Maria to come.”
Finn’s interest grew. “Real money? Where does he get cash?”
Jose shrugged again. “I don’t know, but he has real coins.”
“English?”
“No, American.”
Finn wondered what that meant. Sure he had cash, but he hadn’t been working in a mine before. “Don’t tell him I caught you. But if he welshes on his bet, I’ll talk to him.”
“What means welshes? He is from England, not Wales.”
“Means if he won’t pay what he owes you.” Finn clapped Jose on the back. “Let’s get back and get some sleep.”
They went back in and each went to his bunk.
James rolled over and scratche
d his stomach. “Where you been at this hour?”
Finn fell back on his bunk. He’d had enough of nosey people for one night. “Answering nature’s call.”
All the next day, Finn thought about Hartford. Was he the one causing problems? Accidents would pave the way for union organizers to gain a foothold by assuring miners that unions would insure safety precautions were observed.
But would they really be able to make a difference? Finn had no idea. How safe can any man be in a tunnel underground? He sure felt at risk every minute of his time there.
And he hadn’t been able to get close to Johann Swensen. That man was one Farland suspected and someone Finn disliked. Fighting to be objective, he considered Hartford and Swensen side by side but reached no conclusion. Either man, or both, could be guilty.
The next morning at breakfast, he sat beside Hartford. “Mornin’. Lookin’ forward to today.”
The other man blinked in surprise and scooted a couple of inches away. “Yeah? Why?”
“My crew will be getting’ closer to winnin’ the month’s bonus.”
A furrow creased Hartford’s brow. “What makes you think your bunch will win? Anything could happen today and tomorrow.”
Finn raised his eyebrows. “Sounds like a threat, man. You have something planned to stop us?”
Hartford held up both hands. “Whoa, didn’t mean anything like that. But you can never tell in this business. If we had a union, they’d be watching to see our work place was safer.”
“You sound like a man who’s had experience with a union. You in one where you worked before this?”
Hartford nodded. “Matter of fact I was. They took care of us miners, too.”
“Why’d you leave there then?”
“I wanted to come to America. Intended to work in Virginia, but Farland made me an offer. Heard about the Wild West and thought I’d check out Texas.”
“What’s your opinion?”
He paused as if thinking over his answer. “Don’t mind the state, but there’re too many accidents happening. We need the union to protect us.”
“You think the problem is all Farland’s negligence?”
Hartford took a bite of biscuit and nodded while he chewed. “I heard talk against Clayton, but don’t much believe he’d plan anything like the cave in or explosion or that kid falling. If anyone besides Farland is guilty, Clayton isn’t the one.”
“I agree. But Farland wouldn’t cause the problems in his own mine. I figure someone else is trying to drive him out o’ business.”
“Out of business? I hadn’t thought of that, but now that you mention the possibility the idea makes sense. Why else would anyone cause these problems? Makes me want to quit.”
Finn pointed his fork at Hartford. “Exactly. If we all get spooked and quit, where does that leave Farland? Plus, look at how much all the so-called accidents have slowed production.”
“I see what you’re saying. Union would still help us, but someone’s playing dirty. If I find out who, I’ll beat the black-hearted devil half to death before I turn him in to Farland.”
“Sounds right. Let’s hope we both avoid falling prey to the plot of o’ whoever’s causing the troubles.”
He thought Hartford spoke truthfully to a point. He’d wager the union organizers were paying the man to talk up their cause. Still, Finn didn’t believe Hartford had caused any of the problems that resulted in death and injury. So, that crossed him off the list of suspects.
Finn grabbed extra bread for his lunch pail and filled his galvanized canteen with water. Recalling the bountiful meals with his sister and brother in law, he gave thanks he wasn’t stuck here in Lignite permanently. Some of the men he’d met here would work in the mine as long as they lived, and their lives were bound to be cut short either by accident or disease.
At work during the morning, Council sent him several odd glances. At lunch, Finn stood beside him while he ate. There was nowhere to sit and the floor carried the ever present water.
“You upset with me?” he asked the crew chief.
Council appeared surprised. “Not at all. Looks like we’ll make the bonus if we keep up this rate through tomorrow.”
“Hope so. Aleski and Jose want to bring their wives here and need the money.”
“Didn’t know that. Thanks for telling me.” Council sent him a strange glance. “You thought of marrying anytime soon?”
Finn wondered why the crew chief would ask such a personal question. “Someday, but I don’t have enough money saved yet.”
“Good planning. You have a girl in mind?” Council took a bite of his bread and cheese rather than meet his gaze.
He paused and stared at the crew chief. “Are you asking me for a particular reason?”
Council chuckled. “No, just curious. You seem driven to work as hard as your body will stand. I wondered if you had a reason.”
This was a peculiar conversation and not typical for his crew chief. “I always give my best at whatever I’m doing. This is no different.”
“Glad to hear it. Say, Grace and I would like for you to eat with us Sunday.”
The invitation lightened his mood and pleasure radiated to his chest. “Sure and I’ll look forward to then. ‘Tis pleasant to sit with a family in a real home.”
His answer appeared to please Council. “Bring your concertina. We’ll have music to cheer us. If we win that bonus, we’ll have cause to celebrate.”
“Aye, a ceilidh we’ll have. That’s Irish for a party with music and dancing. And I’m thinking we’ll win this month.”
That evening on his walk through town after supper, he saw Lance Clayton being accosted by three boys. The two Swensen boys and another he didn’t know had Lance trapped against the side of the company store.
Finn ambled over as if unaware what was going on. “Hey, Lance, you’re just the man I wanted to see.”
The three ruffians scowled, but appeared nervous. Mayhap they feared what he’d do to them for ganging up on someone. Or, mayhap they didn’t want their parents to know about their bullying.
He stepped by the boys and clapped Lance on the back. “Could I take you away from your friends to ask your help with something?”
Relief flooded the boy’s face and he retrieved a package at his feet. “Sure, Finn.”
When they were away from the other three boys, Finn asked, “Those the ones who attacked you before?”
Lance slid the package under his arm and stuffed his hands in his pants pockets. “Yeah. I try to avoid them but they were waiting for me when I came out of the store on Mama’s errand. Thanks for getting me away without a fuss. I’m not a coward, but I can’t beat three at once.”
“Especially when two of them are larger than you. I recognize the Swensens, but who was the third one?”
Lance grimaced, or as much as he probably could with his split lip. “Vincent Evans. Those three work in the mines and think I should too. Plus when we were in school together, I did better than they did and that made them mad at me.”
“Bullies always hate someone who does better than they’re willing to work for.”
“They call me a lazy coward, know-it-all teacher’s pet, and a Mama’s boy. I know I should work with Papa, but I don’t want that life and he says I don’t have to. Since we talked about medical school, I can’t think of anything else.”
“Stand your ground. You’ll find a way eventually.” Finn hoped he wasn’t giving the boy false hope. He also hoped he hadn’t set himself up for the same.
Lance peered up at him. “Did you really want to ask me something?”
“Aye, I plan to ask your sister to go for a walk. If she’ll go, I thought I’d take her up to that rock where you hang out. Nice view up there. Figure that’s your special place, so thought I should clear with you first.”
“Really? Well, sure. That’s real nice of you. You sweet on her?”
That was an understatement. He dreamed of her at night and thought of her during the
day. “If I am, would that be all right with you?”
“Yeah. She needs something special to happen. All she does is teach school and help Mama. I mean, Mr. Llewellyn comes by, but she won’t go out with him. He still comes to see her, though.”
And would hate Finn if she went for a walk with him. “She might not go out with me either, but I’ll ask her anyway.”
“Jonas Evans used to ask her out, but she turned him down so much he don’t ask anymore. But he still watches her in church.”
They reached the Clayton home and paused at the road. “Could be Llewellyn scared him off. Tried to warn me, but I told him she was the only one who could tell me she wasn’t interested.”
Lance nodded toward the house. “You coming in? You could talk to Stella?”
“No, I’ll wait for another day when I’ve cleaned up before I call on her. Best not to mention this conversation.”
Finn watched while Lance hurried into his home then he turned and walked to the longhouse. So, Swensen’s boys were the ones who beat up Lance? He wondered if that was due to talk they’d heard from their father. Did Johann Swensen believe Clayton caused the disasters in the mine, or did he want others to believe that?
Chapter Eight
Friday evening, Stella laughed as her father regaled them with news of his crew winning the month’s bonus. Heaven knew lately there few enough causes for laughter. She answered a firm knock on the door and was surprised to see Finn O’Neill standing on the porch.
He wore clean clothes and a smile. The nerve of him, smiling at her when he didn’t like her red hair and thought her temper fiery. She should slam the door in his face but that would only add fuel to his opinion.
“Did you want to see Papa?” Her voice carried frost, but she was still angry.
Apparently undaunted, his smile widened and his dark eyes twinkled. “I came to ask you for a walk.”
“A-A walk?” She took a deep breath. Don’t stutter instead of answering. She intended to refuse him with a sharp remark, but she heard herself say, “I’ll get my shawl and tell Mama where I’m going.”
Some refusal. Instead, she was giddy as one of her giggling students. She left the door ajar while she hurried to grab her shawl. “Mama, I’m going for a walk with Mr. O’Neill.”
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