John Blaylock

The Gates of Brass John Blaylock

A new town built on the winning of coal and the forging of iron shatters the peace of the countryside, it growing like a witch baby and seemingly unstoppable. How do the original inhabitants of the land fare and what about the newcomers, thousands of people from every part of the British Isles? The farming siblings, Frank, Richard and Molly, lose their livelihood when their land is taken by the railway which is to service the colliery. Frank accepts what is happening as inevitable and takes up then offer of work on the railway. Richard will have nothing to do with it and so the brothers part. Molly finds that her new life amid the working families of the town brings friendship as well as heartache. Meanwhile, the local landowner who is the originator of this enterprise has problems of his own. He wishes to bring good times to his people but is running out of capital as the sinking of the mine has cost more than he estimated. He is then thrust into the web of James H. Wright, an entrepreneur, and cannot escape it, especially as he abandons his long time sweetheart; Caroline Bellerby, for Elysia Wright - who has her own agenda. Caroline's father is also brought under Wright's spell and her prospects become ever more uncertain. The town itself suffers from an outbreak of rioting and the arrival of a cholera epidemic. The mine expands but is nearly destroyed by a fire underground. There are many more characters and a complex plot to enjoy.