Woodcutter's Revival by Jerry Slauter Page A

through a small opening at the top of the slide. He could barely see two faces covered with dust. The only way he could perceive the faces was the whites of the eyes and teeth reflected in the light. “Are you alright?”
    â€œYes. We were in deeper, but the slide blocked us off here. We felt our way back to the back of the pile.”
    â€œThank God!” Raymond exclaimed.
    Soon, the debris was cleared enough for the two miners to squeeze their way out. They were hugged by their fellow miners in great celebration. As the rescue party moved out of the tunnel mouth and into the clean air, most of the town’s people, who had assembled outside the shaft, let out a collective shout of joy and relief.
    Mr. Peters noticed Mr. Thomas standing at the back of the crowd watching the situation. When the celebrating was finished, Mr. Peters announced, “It’s closed for the day. Go home and get some rest.”
    As the rest of the people slowly found their way down the side of the embankment and into town, Mr. Peters increased the speed of his stride in proportion to the increase in his indignation. His anger came near to a boiling point as he stormed into the mine office. The clerk behind the desk could only look with amazement as he detected the rage Mr. Peters was exhibiting. He did not even bother to ask Mr. Peters if he could help. He knew Mr. Peters would find his own way into Mr. Thomas’s office as he had in the past.
    Mr. Thomas was talking to the Reverend Pharris. They both looked slightly shocked at the expression on Mr. Peter’s face. “I told you this would happen. The time and money we saved by shoring at ten feet rather than six is going to get somebody killed.”
    In the past, he had attempted to appeal to Mr. Thomas’s logic, by saying the gains made in less shoring would cost in down time and injury. Today, with the near loss of two lives, he was beyond logic and sugar-coating the truth. Mr. Thomas, attempting to diffuse the situation and appear to remain in control, in the presence of Reverend Pharris, replied, ‘We can discuss this later.”
    â€œUnless you get those problems corrected and these tunnels safe, there will be no next time for me.”
    Now, Mr. Thomas, no longer able to posture composure, exploded, “Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.”
    Mr. Peters shouted back, as he stormed out of the office, “Fine, I will be out by the weekend.”
    Mr. Thomas turned red with rage. He was not used to having anybody tell him the way things would be. He did not like it! Reverend Pharris did not know what to do to break the tension. He finally said, “Edward, have you done all you could to ensure the safety of the miners?”
    â€œListen, Preacher, this is my town. The only thing I don’t own is the church, but we both know who supports it. You take care of their social needs and I will take care of the rest.”
    â€œI understand. I know you contribute more than the rest combined. I will be on my way now. Oh yes, may um…, may God bless you.”
    The next morning Edward and Victoria were in the office very early. “Father, how could you let Mr. Peters walk out? He was a very valuable employee and a leader”
    â€œNobody is irreplaceable.”
    â€œNo, but they all respected him.”
    â€œThey respect me!”
    â€œFather, they fear you. How far would they follow you because of fear? They would have followed him to their death. It is not respect when people do what you say because you have power over them.”
    Mr. Thomas growled under his breath in exasperation, “Ugh, do you ever remind me of your mother! Nobody crosses me and stays here. It is my way or the railway. Young lady, I would not let you stand there and talk to me this way if you weren’t my daughter.”
    Victoria knew she was the only person who could reason with him. She also knew she was reaching the limit of