The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-03-28

How does it fare with the poor prison
ersf They were frightened like the rest,
by that sudden and awful noise. Little
Robert left his door, and ran to the men,
who we'll knew what it meant. Waiting
till everything was quiet, they went for
ward to examine the passage way Robert
left. 1t was blocked up. They tried an
other; that, too, was blocked up. o, fear
full thought! they were buried alive. The
men went back to the boy.
81 went to go home please, do let me go
home," said poor Robert.
"Yes, yes, as soon as we find way ont,
my little man." saidsa miner, called Tru-
man, in kind, yet husky voice.
The air grew close and suffocatipg, and
they took their oil cans and food bags to
one of the galleries, where it was better.
The two 'hewers," Truman aud Logan,
were pious men. Well James, what shall
we do next 2" asked Truman.
"There is but one thing we can do" said
Logan. God says, "Call upon me in the
day of trouble; / will deliver thee, and
! thou shalt glority me-"
They told the boy of their danger. But
we mnst keep up good heart said these
believing men land the way to do this ia
to put our trust in the Almighty God more
than in man. He heard Jonah cry to him
from the whales belly, and He can hear US
from the bottom of the coal-pit. Let US
pray to him."
They all knelt down, and Robert cried
bitterly. But as the pious pit men prayed
first one, and then the other-their hearts
grew lighter, and even the little 'traper''
dried his tears.
When it was time for dinner, they ate
sparingly, in order to make the food they had
last at least three days, for it might be full
that time before they could be dug out.
Meanwhile, what should they do for water 2
A trickling noise was heard. Water,
water!" Yes, it was dripping from the
rock.
alt seems" said Logan, Gas if this
water was sent on purpose to put us in
mind that God won't forsake US for don't
you know the good book says, when the
poor and needy seek water, and there is
none, and their tongue faileth for thirst,
will hear them, the God of Israel will
not forsake them 7"
Soon the imprisoned men took their
pickaxes; but what a hopeless task it
seemed to cut through the mass of earth
and stones to daylight! Their hearts beat
with hope and joy when they firss heard
other side. 1t was then they made the
clink, clink, clink, clink, clink, with their
pick-axes, which was heard, and 80 encour-
aged their deliverers.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and no
rescue. What dark and dreadful days
Worse than all, the sounds they had heard
did not appear to draw near. Aud yet
prayer and song of praise might have been
heard in that dismal cavern. By Friday
morning their food was gone, and by Fri
day night their oil too.
"Our food is gone, our light is gene; but
our God is not gone" said Truman. "He
says 1 will never leave you. nor fosake
you" AS for little Robert, he was 80 weak
he could not sit up. His mind wandered
he talked about the sun and the grass, as il
he saw them.
Saturday came-the fifth day-and the
men outside knew there was not an in
stant to lose. They were too anxious to
speak. For hours they heard no signals.
| Were their poor comrades dead7 Sud-
denly the wall was pierced a hole was
made through it feeble voices were heard.
Truman, are you theIe7"
Yes, all here"
can living7
eyes, thank God, all living"
"All living, all living !" shouted the
men and the shout went up to the top of
the pit When Roberts father heard that
his little son was alive, the good news was
too much for him, and he fell down sense
less.
One hour more, and the rescuers reached
their comrades. Who can describe the
meetingq l cannot; nor the joy and
gratitude of wives, mothers and friends,
as one and another were brought up to the
surface. At last came Lester, with Robert
| in his arms. What huzza rent the air as
they came in sight! "Safe, safe! God be
praised ~
My little reader, is there not lesson in
this story for you R-Early Days.