The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-31
NO. 80.
Blasting In a Coal Mine.

"Down in o coal mine is q locality
which, although immortalized in pop
ular air ground out ut the rate of some
twenty times q day by wheezy hand or
gans under our windows, is not the
most inviting place in the world to exc
out ones existence. We descend the
shaft with n disagreeable feeling OF go,
ing, we know not whittier, save some
where into the depths Of black pit
which yawns beneath us. Once at the
bottom, there is damp oppressive feel
ing in the air /; the rock overhead drips
dirty water down upon us, and occa-
sionally an icy stream crawls down our
back, sending q disagreeable shudder
from head to foot. or course we get
bewildered the light from the little
lamp in our oil skin hat is very dim and
smoky, and casts a sort OF uncertain ra-
diance for about three feet in advance,
throwing great black shadows which
leave us in q kind OF unpleasant doubt
whether or not we shall suddenly step
into some abyss and disappear forever
into tho bowels OF the earth.
We trudge through countless leads,
now scrambling over timbers, then
compressing ourselves into incredibly
small compass in orderto crawl through
tho narrowest OF openings. There is n
conglomeration OF coal dust and mud
under foot that sticks to our shoes like
glue. We trip over the rails, and bruise
every square inch OF our bodies against
tho sharp angles Of the rough walls,
while our hands and faces, within very
few minutes, partake Of the somber hue
Of our surroundings.
Soon we encounter aparty OF miners,
rough, hardy.looking men, far healthier
than we should believe would be tho
case with beings whose labor is carried
on away from Tho light Of day. They
arc preparing a blast, our guide tells
us, and We draw near to watch tho
operation, but speedily retire in dismay
at the apparently careless handling Of
the powder in close proximity to the
unguarded flames OF tho lamps. Tho
men manifested no concern, and arc all
coolly smoking or chatting.
Now, the charges are ready, and one
OF tho miners lights the fuse from his
pipe. We scramble precipitately to n
safe position in total disregard Of either
dirt, wet, or bruises; and then, in n
state Of suspense, wo stop our ears and
wonder whether the smoke will leave
us entirely or only partially suaocated.
The men lounge lazily out OF the way,
forming a little group by themselves,
and puff quietly at their pipes.
A ilash-then deep muilled explo-
sion, which echoes through the long
caverns, and is followed by tho rumbling
and crush Of the falling dCbris-clouds
Of dense sulphurous smoke fill the
chamber, rising up to the roof and cur
ling away toward tho shaft.
We get down close TO the floor with q
handkerchief-a very grimy one by this
time-over our nose and inwardly yeFn
for one breath OF fresh mir. Meanwhile
the blasters wait until the smoke dis
perscs, and the atmosphere becomes
less sitting then they resume work.
Some pile the detached bits Of coal in
heaps, and others fill the tubs. Then
tho mules nre signalled for, and we hear
the noise Of heirhoofsapproaching, min
gled with the sounds Of blows and an
alarming chorus Of expletives on the part
OF the drivers. The animals areattached
tho tubs, and, after arguing some time to
with their attendants, mule fashion, by
drumming on the wagons with their
heels, refusing to stir, or maniiesting
IN unconquerablc disposition to lie
down, they Nre at length persuaded,
through tho agency OF n club or by be-
ing banged about the head with o lump
Of coal, that resistance is useless, when
they reluctantly start Off on slow jog
trot. We follow them to tho shaft,
leaving the miners swinging their picks
or hammering at their drills, apparently
careless Of the dark heavy atmosphere
around them.-Erchangc.