ndeur。
〃My friends;〃 said the engineer; 〃the time has e for us to separate。 The Aberfoyle mines; which for so many years have united us in a mon work; are now exhausted。 All our researches have not led to the discovery of a new vein; and the last block of coal has just been extracted from the Dochart pit。〃 And in confirmation of his words; James Starr pointed to a lump of coal which had been kept at the bottom of a basket。
〃This piece of coal; my friends;〃 resumed James Starr; 〃is like the last drop of blood which has flowed through the veins of the mine! We shall keep it; as the first fragment of coal is kept; which was extracted a hundred and fifty years ago from the bearings of Aberfoyle。 Between these two pieces; how many generations of workmen have succeeded each other in our pits! Now; it is over! The last words which your engineer will address to you are a farewell。 You have lived in this mine; which your hands have emptied。 The work has been hard; but not without profit for you。 Our great family must disperse; and it is not probable that the future will ever again unite the scattered members。 But do not forget that we have lived together for a long time; and that it will be the duty of the miners of Aberfoyle to help each other。 Your old masters will not forget you either。
When men have worked together; they must never be stranger to each other again。
We shall keep our eye on you; and wherever you go; our remendations shall follow you。 Farewell then; my friends; and may Heaven be with you!〃
So saying; James Starr wrung the horny hand of the oldest miner; whose eyes were dim with tears。 Then the overmen of the different pits came forward to shake hands with him; whilst the miners waved their caps; shouting; 〃Farewell; Jame