It's Good to Be Black

21. Davis' Mine Goes on a Rampage

21. Davis' miue goes on. a rampage The whistle on the engine house at Old Davis' mine had gone crazy and was screaming its head off. It interrupted the lessons at Lincoln School where Miss Emma Tate was screeching at Earl Simmons, "No! No! No! Illinois is not bounded on the east by Maryland. Here is Maryland, 'way over there." She had just raised her pointer to pierce the heart of Maryland on the map, when the whistle started. There was something ominous in the continued irregular sound. The mine whistles were as familiar to us as our mother's voice. We heard them night and morning. Two long blasts for work-a few short ones, no work. The children looked about the room at each other, then back to their teacher. Miss Tate had put the pointer in the chalk rack and now sat limply at her desk. Evidently she had heard it before, for her quiet voice was filled with leashed terror as she tried to say calmly, "Children, I believe something has gone wrong at the mines." Mrs. Anderson, looking like the model for a dainty French miniature, came from across the hall. She and Miss Tate whispered together. In a few minutes they were joined by William Barnett and Professor Taborn, the principal. "Children," Miss Tate announced when she turned back into the room, "Professor Taborn has decided that you may be excused for the day. You are to go straight home, and 213 it's good to be black stay there," she emphasized. "No matter what you hear, do not go out to the mines. It is no place for children. Now remember, do not go out to the mines! Class excused." We rushed home, stopping to inquire about the explosion of everyone we met. "Yes, there was an explosion at Davis' mine." "No, nobody knew what had caused it." "No, nobody knew who was killed. Maybe nobody. A smart miner knew ways to protect himself." "Of course, if it all happened so suddenly the men did not have time- Run along, children, run along home. Yau ask too many questions." Mother was ironing a shirt for Dad when we rushed into our house. "Yes, I heard about the explosion. No, there wasn't anything the women could do-but wait. Yes, of course-pray, just wait and pray. No, Dad didn't work at Davis' mine, but Uncle Robert did. No. No, I'm not going out to the mine. I'm going up to sit with Ida. Her heart's been acting up since she heard about the explosion. Yes, Aunt Belle and Aunt Tad are going out to the mine. Sure they are going to walk. Yes, Aunt Belle has a horse and buggy, but what good are they if Belle can't hitch or drive Old Nellie. No, you can't go out to the mine." "Miss Anderson told us--" Cecil began, but a sharp kick from Spud silenced him. "I don't want to go." Helen was no good in an emergency . " 'Spose they bring some of the men up all bloody and--" "Hush, Helen," Mother interrupted. "Maybe I can run and get some water for somebody, Mama. Please let me go. I'd keep out of the way," Spud pleaded. 214 Davis' mine goes on a rampage "Yes, Mama, me and Spud could run fast. Please let us go." "If Ruby and Spud go, I wanna go too," Cecil whined. "I said no!" Mother set the iron down on the board so hard it rattled the dishes in the tall cupboard that stood against the east wall. "You're too little, CeciL Ain't he too little, Mama?" Spud did not want Cecil along. "It's no place for children." We knew Mother was weakening. "Aw, Mama, we can take care of ourselves. Can't we, Ruby?" Spud was persistent. "Well, Spud, I guess maybe you and Ruby can go. Cecil, you'd better stay here. You children better stay with Tad and Belle too, and for heaven's sake, keep out of the way of the workers when you get out to the mine." We shot across the road and soon caught up with Aunt Belle and Aunt Tad, Uncle Robert's wife. From every direction people were converging on the road that led to Davis' mine. For a while we walked sedately behind the older...