Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1860-07-07
Who is the Greatest.

lily young cousin has been reading
Abbott's History Of Napoleon Bona
parte.
One evening as we sat together he
laid down his book, and with glowing
check and sparkling eye, he exclain-
ed:
''HVasn't he the most splendid man
that ever lived? I'd give anything to
be half rs great -
''BLr. Abbott's portrait so carefully
conoeals the blemishes Of his hero, and
is set withal in so dazzling . frame,
that I could not wonder at the boys
enthusiasm in contemplating 1t. But l
said:
"Your chance of being half as great
rs Bonapartc is very good, think
That is not always great which con
sists in brilliant achievement. The
highest greatness is moral; and seeks
the good of others rather than It's own
glory. I could tell you Of q more no.
Die hero than Napoleon who lived III
Ills own time"
II should like to hear OF one," an
sWered Harry, with IN Dir that said he
Was not to be convinced. But he
loved d story, 50 | told him the follow
ing:
Years ago. in the deep heart Of u
mountain in Belgium, hundred men
were working q coal mine
Grim yisaged and duslly, moving
abo1t by the dull red light Of their
safety lamps, they might have been
mistaken for the demons Of the moun-
tains, once supposed by the peasants
to dwell IN It's caves. Their work was
hard, and surrounded by dangers; but
tbeir wives and children were in the
hamlet above, and long habit made
chem forget their periIs. So they
might be contentcd, and even happy.
The crealling WindIass raised and
lowered q huge bucket through the
deep and narrow shaft, from morning
till night, carrying men aud tools to
and fro. This was their only door
way.
Il was monday, a1d the sun shone
down one side OF the shaft, and bro't
q glimmcr Of daylight to g part Of the
mine, when Hubert Griffin, the master
miner, took his place in the great kjb-
bic, and was let down to the mine,
many feet below. Whom he reached
the bottom, he commenced handing
some tools and stores to Victor, q blind
miner, who was waiting there. Victor
had sick child il one Of the cottages,
and il was to inquire after him that he
stood waiting at the bottom OF the
shaft.
The bucket was soon cmp5;ed, and
Hubert was just stepping out, when
bark! What sound was that which
made his cheek pale? Ijwas the rush
ing and trickIing Of water, The next
moment he caught sight Of stream
forcing itself through q .tissuro in the
mountain close to the shaft. Iubert8
experience instantly showed him their
whole danger. 1t was not o feeble,
oozing stream, but q mighty pressure
Of water which had found its outlet
here. They would be overwhelmed
lost.
One foot was yet iii the buckct--a
jerk at the rope would save him. But
though death stared him i'll the face,
he could not sacrifice others to save
himself Quickly Jumping out, he seiz-
cd blind Victor, and placed him in the
bucket, saying quickly as he jerked the
rope:
'sTcll them chat the water has burst
III and we are probably lost; but we
shall seek refuge at the farther end OF
the right gallery. Say farewell to our
poor friends" In o moment he was
gone and with him Hubert's only GER
tainty Of an escape from terrible
death.
The mine consisted Of a long narrow
passages. and on all sides deep caves
from which the coal had been dug
The men were all at the further end
Of the mine hewing out Of the solid
mountain, unconscious Of danger. HUI
bert quickly made his. way along the
dark passage, followed by the swift
spreading water; and soon reached his
fellow Workmcn with the dreadful in
telligence. 1t was a moment OF fpanic,
when each would have rushed to Ger
tain death in lis effort to save himself.
But looking firmly into their gha5tly
faces, the master spoke q few coura-
geous- sentences:
ssFoIlow my words, lads, and be
quick-oar picks may save us
Then came a few steady quick com
nands, to hollow new chamber above
where the water would probably reach.
The men obeyei in silence. though
each knew not but that he might be
digging his own grave. 4 hundred
pairs OF hands soon finished the work
and INTO cave q hundred men crowd
ed to wait fer death OF an ALMOST i'm