The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-03-22

Lltu SAtQ- w cfi. Iclt VIC az W.
to make known our presence to ID
: man IN the sbaft-ta j eob Pitebardi
"Well, cali down 10 him." sal
} another, laughing; for now that v
stood al the mouth of the shaft, "
felt quite silly, and half expected I
see some one peep out from behind
tree or rock aud raise the laugh o.
us.
/ She man VIII hid 6rst spokeI
stopped over the shaft and shouted
Jacob are you dove ibereZ"
Almost instantly there came ul
from the shaft faint cry that va
half moan, half shout. We all hear,
il, and were thrilled and startled
Most of the faces about the shat
suddenly grew pale. We ali Stoos
silent for some seconds, when SOM
one said: Sure as fate there is a mar
down there.n
"Who are you. Who is dow.
there?" again called out onr men
STOPPING close down 10 the darE
mouth of the shaft.
Jacob Pritchardy" was the auswei
thst came up the shaft. The name
was so distinctly uttered that al
heard it, and hearing i. all turned 8
shade paler than before
at beats the deyilin said one oi
the meu, breaking a somewhat pre-
tracied silence. That was the uame
signed to the aote. aud here is the
fellow sill in e shaft"
ASK him about the note" said
oue Of our party
Did you-write note-and send
it out-asking for help!" cried our
spokesman. stopping over the shaft
and sending the message down 10
sections, much as the sailors CD
rivers call to each other from vessel
TO vessel.
Il did," was the prompt response
from the bottom Of the shaft, snd
again we sll gezed az one another 10
amszement.
Ii is either the devil himself OF
the biggest liar in the mountain-,,r
said Bill Wallace.
"How-coald you-send out-a
letter." asked Bill
"Get ne out / cant tell nowir
came from the dark in a vcxed and
gasping voice
He is right" said Bill: eve ought
to be ashamed 10 stand here question.
ing the poor devil when there are
enough of US 10 to eat him up with
out either salt or pepper. Light a
couple OF candles aud get the rope
ready. Two of US viii 20 down and
sea how be can be got OUT. Some
of the.bottom ladders must be broken,
or he could come out himself-that l.,
if his legs are both sound. Mike
Murphy, you are stout and active,
come with me aud Wen go aud see
that fellow" +"
"B-but h-how could be bring
up the, the letter." stammered Mike,
shaking bis head and looking any
thing but ready TO descend the shaft.
Blow the letter." said Bill, hell
tell Us all about that when we ger
him out. Are We TO keep the poor
oevil there all day while we stand
here psrleying ike cowardss2"
"I-I'm not afraid to 90 down
there, ov course" said Mike, "bat
We all know thst this here Is q queer
kind of business, from first 10 last
that is, as far as we've got 10 it."
Well, then, Mike, you aud | 90,
said Bill "Jast drop the end of the
rope into the shaft and we'll work il
along TO the bottom as we coon il
down the ladders. Take your can
die Mike"
Nike took the candle into rather
an unsteady hand, aud then waiting
until Bill wss.down feg feet, got
upon the top of the nOtched pole and
began descending backwards, as q
crswf.h travels As his head was
descending below the level of the
shaft be halted and cast lingering
look on all the bright world be was
leaving. lie looked Ike a man
whose hours on earth are numbered
His pride carried him where bis legs
did not want 10 go.
Slowly and steadily the two men
descended the shaft, slipping from
notch TO notch in the long slender
poles. As we stood at the edge ofthe
wide opening and eagerly gazed
down into it We could distinctly see
cur TWO companions and mark their
slow descent by the Pickering light OF
their candles Now they were pass
ing over TIE west side of the shaft:
soon they turned and were seen com
ing back TO the east side, on which
We stood; snou they took another
ladder, and again they moved to the
west Each time when they thus
crossed the shaft they came 10 little
platform on which rested the foot Of
one ladder, and from which started
the top of that next below; and So
they toilsomely zigzagged their way
down, the light Of their candles grow
ing smaller till all we saw resembIed
two little stars.
Finally the Two twinkling stars
went over TO the west side Of the
shaft aud stopped side by side. a
murmuring, as Of the voices Of per-
sons in conversation, then came up
the shaft
Pay out more r0pe," shouted Bill
from somewhere down in the bowels
of the earth.
The rope was slowly run out
"All righIh. That's enough cried
Bill.
Again ham of voices was heard.
then came the order from Bill: Haul
up; haul slowly aud carefully Slow
ly-slowly-sIowIyl Hold, Hold on
now; that viii do,n
There was more buzzing Of voices,
then Bill called out: Hello, up
there.''
Hello" cried we.
Il am going ,o-bring him up
the ladders" said Bill, sending his
message upin sections, so that it
would not become tangled on the way.
Il shall leave-the rope around him
Keep the slack hauled up-but dou't
pull bard Do you understand"
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