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Show -A MODERN INSTANCE. (By Arthur Gulterman.) This isn't poetry class It as verse; Neither the subject nor treatment is new; Take it for better or take it for worse, What can bo worse than the fact that it's true? Bartos Voislowsky -was only a Polo, Destined for nothing exalted or fine, Bortt for the purpose of carrying coal Out of the heart of the Larrikin Mine, Carting the anthracite day after day Forth from the mountain-bulk, blasted and drilled, Leading his mule on the perilous way Past the black pit where his father was killed. Bartos Voislowsky, at sixteen a man, Cared for his mother and all of her brood Three little brothers, a clamorous clan Finding them shelter and clothing and food. Bartos Voislowsky was earning his wage When, with a billow of smothering breath, Down in a tumult of thunderous rage Roared the blue slate-rock and crushed him to death. Then said the Coroner: "Case forty-nine: Bartos Voislowsky; we And that the same Came to his death in the Larrikin Mine, Crushed by a rock-fall and no one's to blame." No one to blame! though a timberless roof Threatened his life every step that he trod. No one to blame. In defiance of proof, No ono to blame; 'twas the Hand of his God! One more brave miner lies mangled and dead;-One dead;-One more poor widow is mourning her son; Three more wee children are crying for bread,-No bread,-No one to feed them, and naught's to be done. Count it in millions, the worth of that minc (What is the worth of a life and a soul?) Seek not for payment of pension or fine; That would diminish the profit on coal. Wherefore, let "Justice" be purchased in stealth, Timber Is dearer than sorrow of wives; Bow to that ark of your covenqjealth. What should be cheapernNHppn lives? |