American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-06-07
VOL. XXIII.
THE OLD MINERS STORY.

but yesterday.
You see, L was collier. as they call it il
the old country, and worked in a Goa
mine in Monmouthshire. l was a new
hand there, and being strange to all at thu
pit, was a little down in the mouth a
first; but as the days went by the mel
seemed more friendly with me, and at las
good an old soul as ever lived, asked m,
to dinner at his house on Sunday.
Bright and early that morning I mad'
myself as clean as it was possible for pit
man to get, and, dressed in my best,
started. l felt little backward about go
ing in, for l had heard old Joe had tn,
prettiest darter around Surrowy, but in
went.
Good morning, lad; see you're here
Jane, this is the lad l was speakin' about
He's a smart'un, isn't he? Come and
shake hands with the stranger, Sallie
There is my darter," said the old man
Sallie came through the open door of the
kitchen, and, holding out her hand to me-
she said: "How dye do, sir?" in wills
per like, with her cheeks growing reddel
every minute. ] thought then she was
the prettiest girl l ever saw, and it didn't
take me long to find out that she was as
sensible, steady, Woodworking young
woman as ever was.
well, that was the first time I saw
Sallie, and kept going to old Joe's house
oftener and oftener, and staying longer
and longer every time. 1 went until
made up my mind I'd ask Sallie to be my
wife, for thought she looked kinder and
more loving-like to me than to any of the
young men she knew, and one day made
the venture. She said YES" in that nice
quiet way she's got. In a month, or
mebbe six weeks, we were married, and
you never saw a prettier or likelier
bride than she was. She had the bright
est eyes, clearest skin and neatest form
that ever was, and her hair was so bright
and shiny. 1t used to cause her a good
deal of trouble though, that hair did, for
do what she would, it wouldn't stay
smooth. She'd tuck it back forty times
an hour, yet it would creep up in the
dearest little rings all around her face. l
liked it to be so, but Sallie said it looked
very untidy, and suppose it did.
Well, we went on living very happy to-
gether, l working steady every day, and
Sallie keeping the little house clean and
comfortable, and looking as bright as
a new sovereign, and she got handsomer
and handsomer all the time. l used to
tell her she was my weekday sun, for you
know never saw the sun except on the
Sabbath, being in the dark pit every day
beside, and she seemed like a sunbeam to
me when came home in the dusk of
evening and found her so trim and smil-
ing. 1t was worth staying ten hours in
that deep, black hole, and then see my
pretty little woman when l came up.
We seemed to have no trouble nor fret
tings. And why should we when we
loved each other so much, and when there
was plenty of work and good wages? But
every day can't be fine one, neither can
every life be without sorrow.
How well remember the day our big
came. 1 got up that morning and
ate the breakfast Sallie got for me, and
after a kiss and goodbye from her l start
ed for the pit. looked around three or
four times at her standing in the doorway
and wondered, as looked at my grimy
suit all spotted over with tallOw from the
candle in my cap, how she could love and
care for me.
Somehow or other, the shaft never look
ed as deep and dangerous before. l shiv-
cred as looked over the basket at the
black, black place below, and l recollect
then that something was ailing
me, to make me feel fear that morning,
when l had gone down the same place
hundreds of times before. But the strange
feeling soon passed away after my work
was fairly begun.
The part of the mine 1 worked in that
day was far from the shaft, and being
worked out, was almost good for nothing,
and miner seldom piled his pick in it
There were two men besides myself there
that day, and we were engaged on one
large mass, which was hanging from the
roof. My companions were standing and
striking at this piece over their heads,
while l, to ease my arms by a change of
position, had turned from them and was
working at a different lump, much lower
Town, when suddenly 1 heard a sharp
rack, and felt shooting pain, then moth
ng else, but-nothing.
Yes, yes, that time always brings the
sweat out on me. When l think of it 1
seem to go through it all again. Strange
how long things like that last, amt it
Let me see, that's nigh on forty years ago,
put it's never stopped working me up
whenever think of it; but never mind, it's
over now, and it won't move me in little
while, for Pm getting on in years, and we
can't live always, you know. When l own
md occupy my six foot by three out in the
there, things like this won't
rOuble me, l guess.
Well, well, l am wandering off again. l
amt tell story as used to, and my
brains go wool gathering, l think. 1
topped telling you where the big lump
VlI uoWh Oh U.s. uluh L . Whdl
made the noise. When 1 came to my
enses there was lot of faces around me
which looked frightful; then 1 heard a
-Oice say, John don't you know me?
It's Sallie;" then slowly, everything came
Jack to me.
Oh, how my head ached l tried to
aise my hand up to it, but my arm was
.aught and held, and Sallie said again,
You are hurt, John, dear, don't move in
he least" and l felt so weak and childish
hat l could not object if l had wanted to.
just laid still and looked from one to an
'ther, and one by one the faces became
lear to me and 1 saw they were my fel-
ow-workmen. | knew what had happen
ID, and was wondering what had become
II the two men who were with me, when
was lifted into the basket flor we were
It the bottom of the shaft had seen that)
md l don't remember any mole until /
ound myself one day in our little bed
Dom and everything quiet and still
ay there listening for one sound, when
he door opened and Sallic's mother came
Up to the bedside
$50 you're awake" said she. "Whv.
ad, ! thought you wouldn't get through
I'll this"
"Where's Sallies" said 1.
"Hush, don't talk and worrit yourself
'allie is not over well just now Lie
luiet, there's good lad, and you shall see
Ter soon"
This was not exactly what liked, but l
vas tired and fell asleep. don't know
low long | slept, but when / awoke there
vas no one in the room. / thought I'd go
md find Sallie, so / rose up in bed and
ried 10 put my legs out of bed, when |
ound had none; they were cut off right
lere, just below the knee. Well, / felt
,retty bad that's a fact
They soon told me the whole story.
The masS of coal had struck me and