The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-08-07
MisfellaneoMs.
A MINERS LOVE STORY,

NELLY GLOVER was the prettiest
lass in the pit village. Her eyes were
of the deepest blue; her cheeks were
like rose; and you might have thought
her brown hair was the finest silk. Then
she ha d a figure like Il fairy, it was so
trim and with waist you could al.
most span. loved Nelly, but as for
that, all the young chaps in the village
were of the same mind, and she might
have had her pick of us; the worst of it
was, she treated us all alike, and
wouldn't look at one more than anoth-
er. She had smile for everybody, and
was always good tempered, but there it
ended, and, somehow, none of us could
screw up courage to try her future. |
don't know how often thought it over.
1t came into my head the first thing in
the morning, and there it remained the
last thing at night, when it kept me
awake, or haunted my dreams. At
last it took possession of me. No mat
ter where was, digging, or blasting,
or tunneling above ground, or down
in the pit-my thoughts turned on Mel
ly, and from being the merriest fellow
in the village, l just came to be the
dullcst. One morning there was no
work In the pit for my gang, because
the viewer wanted that part of the seam
shored up, and it struck me all at once,
that | would have 1t out with Nelly
So I mazda p,ySnlf cp,ort onJ eot :,
walking rs brisk as if it was wager.
You may think it conceit in Ine, but
can say that / was then as clever chap
to look at as you could often see-and /
knew it! For all that l began to walk
bit slow when | caught sight of Mrs.
Glover's cottage, and felt dread at
my heart. But went on, and / just
got up to the cottage, when who should
come out but Nelly herself. She never
looked prettier than at that minute
but, appearing so suddenly, she dashed
my spirit, and / hadn't word to say
to her.
"Why, Charley, what is the matter ?:''
she cried in frightened sort of way.
"Well. it is just this" l said. And
there stopped.
SIS anything wrong with Jack ?" she
cried quickly.
"Jack ~
"ies, he is down in the pit and they
say it is foul, which makes mother and
me uneasy. You haven't heard any
thing?' And she looked in my eyes
as if she would search me through.
"No, no" ! answered. steadying
now that thought could comfort
her. ale is all right. You musn'
mind what the old women of the vii
lage say, or you'll be looking for t
blow-up every day in the year, whel
there is nothing more than common.
havn't come to you about Jack, Nelly
1t is about myself"
She gave me another look now; thel
her cheek flushed up like Il flame, an,
her eyes turned away.
"Do you know what want to say
Nelly?n l went on. 81 wish you di,
for can't tell it; it is more than
have got words for. How | love you
how you are always before me, how
am crazed and mad about you! Blu
though | can't say all want to, here
stand, and wouldn't change with
king if you'll take me as l am ~
"Ah, Charley you don't know no,
you pain me-" she answered.
"Don't say that, Nelly. | doubte
about speaking to you, but now that
: have done it, now that l can't 60 o
deceiving myself, II you have any pit
in your heart show it TO me, and ! viii
cherish you to the day of my death
at is no USE" she replied; 81 ca
never marry n pitman. | gave tn
promise to mother and Jack, when "
, walked up the village at the funeral ,
my poor father and brothers all thrC
! killed in the mine-our great sorrow
, which | can never think of without or!
i ing"
! And the tears, it is true, We're run
g ming down her cheeks, though for
minute, she seemed to be harder tina
stone. And | seemed turned to stoI
/. myself. had no recollection, no fee
ing and no sense, and l couldn't hay
moved step to save my life. Then
all flashed upon me like lightning.
took II last look at Nelly, dropped m
head on my breast, and without wol
more walked out of the gate.
e Our village seldom looked bright, |
It matter how the sun shone, and ! no
felt as If the sun would never shin
n again for me so, as my eye fell on Il
= cottages, with the clouds hanging dow
T. from above and nothing round but
:. | AunsIn | IhnnmhI L nninhi % Arnl hn