The Ohio organ, of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, [Ohio]) 1853-1854, 1853-07-15
. t... From the Temperance Battery.
THE MAN IN THE WELL. g
A TEMPERANCE TALE.
Br ms. FRANCES D. GAGE.

WWh ny uuyS VI ESuIua ~ HhlS" ~
low the breaking up Of a cold spell of
weather. The snow, which had fallen
at intervals; to d considerable depth,
had been washed away by a three
days rain, except here and there, it
lay saturated with mud and coal dust,
where it had been driven round the
corners by the sweeping winds, or
brushed from the pavement into the
cutters. The frost was just. out Of
the ground, The eaye-spouts ran
gurgIing streams Of inky hue for
the long dripping rain had thoroughly
soaked up the deposits Of winter from
the blackened roof.gaIt did not freeze,
but it was cold; as chilly, cold, wet
and disagreeable as one can possibly
conceive a day to be. Everybody,
who could, shut the door and sat down
by the fire, shivering, "Ohl how dis
agreeable it is" Those who had to
go out, buttoned up close and hurried
through the shower as best they might,
There was man building foun-
dry in our village, and to supply his
engine with water he was having a
well dug beside his furnace, which
was heavy pile Of stone work,
The well was nearly completed, and
the men engaged in digging it held a
consultation whether they should con-
tinue their work. The elder and wiser
of thetwo said, "No, the earth was too
full of water, the ground 90 soft, and
the pressure Of the stone work too
great it would cave in" and he re-
fused. But the other laughed at his
fears, descended nspite of all remon-
STRANGE, and began his work. In vain
his brother entreated him to desist.
His reply was, mo danger l know
what l am about" But, he did not
know. The burthened earth gave
way, and he was buried many feet
beneath an avalanche of sand and
gravel. Wild went the cry over the
city-"Fisher's well has caved in and
buried Custard beneath" The storm,
the wind, the rain, the mud, were all
forgotten. The merchant dropped his
/ yard stick; the farmer left his market
wagon in the street the lawyertbre
/ down his book, the mechanic his tools,
and the minister his pen. All rushed
| with throbbing hearts and quivering
II lips to the rescue. Women caught up
their infants and ran amid the storm
to sympathise with the frantic wife,
and all looked into each Others faces
and asked in gasping whispers, "What
canwe dol" Ropes, ladders, spades
and shovels were wanted. No one
stoppt d to ask, "Who's is this ?" No
one said, "That is mine ;" but the cry
was, "Take it take it, for Gods sake
hurry-he will die !" Down they
leaped into tile dark abyss. None
said, "lt's not my business-do it
thou but all were so eager that a
/ police had to be formed to keep off the
crowd, lest they should shake down
the surrounding earth and bury the
workers. Then there was the stone
work; !; twas pressing heavily, "Tear
it away p cried Fisher, "save him
save him !" And with giant strength
he hurled the huge rocks from their
places. ut will cost him a great deal g
said one more prudent than the rest
"Don't talk Of cost; we'll all give
him something, and helprebuild. Save
him save him don't let him die
for few dollars expense" 1'ra %. I.
They worked like giants, hour after
hour, till the big sweat drops rolled
from manly brows, and strong hands
trembled with fatigue, Then others
took their places, and thus the work
went on! A tin tube was forced down,
through which they shouted and asked
Il fhaa