Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-01
THE MANIAC MINER.

I'LL ttHiNiHS tVsliNENs
Wont you take me down with you
to day, please?'
Take you DOWN.
Bruce Malcolm looked at the deli
cate figure, sweet face, and dainty
garments Of the girl who had address
ed him, in establishment, and then at
his muscular frame, clad in a-coarse,
red flannel shirt, heavy pants, and
long, thick, solid boots. The contrast
almost made him smile. A single
grasp of his iron hand would have
crushed her as easily as butterfly;
and the one who descended the deep
shaft, braved the fire damps, and
threaded the intricate underground
passages of the mine, must have both
nerve and sinew, and great power of
endurance. 1t was the work of dar-
ing men, not shrinking girlhood
Bruce Malcolm was gentleman,
as well by nature as education. The
position he held as superintendent
was responsible one. The safety of
all depended upon his care and fore
thought land he had never yet permit
ed any to thrust themselves into dam
ger. How, then, could he do so by
the girl whose father had placed her
under his especial charge while he
was absent upon brief voyage of
exploration up the coast
Certainly, Mr.. Malcolm. Take me
down; | want to go SO very, very
much. | have heard so often of the
wonders have seen so many of the
specimens that have been brought up,
| am determined to examine for my
SELF
/ would be happy to crafty your
wish, Miss Whiting, but you do not
realize the danger; and how could |
meet your father if anything should
happen to his motherless child?'
oh! there can be no great danger.
Do you not so and return safely every
day?'
yes, have done so; but who can
tell when | may make my last trip?
| beg of you Miss Blanche, to pos
pone this visit until your father re-
turn. With his consent, will graft
| fly you
But he will not be back for some
days; then he will be in hurry to get
home. My summer vacation is al
most ended, and | shall soon have to
return to the confinement of school,
and how the girls will laugh if | go
! LooJ, ,,,;tlo,t bovinr, cann anvt binc, If
mining operations. Do, Mr.. NAL
colin, take me with you. You cannot
imagine what great favor it will be-
He stood with folded arms, with
his eyes inten,ly fixed upon her face,
budding into rare beautY-the soft,
waving, gold Thrown hair; the liquid,
hazel eyes; and the lips like half
blown carnation, freshly dipped in
dew-but his thoughts were else
where. The image of the girl was
indelibly photographing itself upon
his heart; but his mind was hastily
running over the danger of the des.
cent of the shaft and drift; was oalcu-
lating, as he had never done before,
the chances of accidents, of prema-
ture explosion of blasts, the unexpect-
ed falling of rocks, the gathering of
various gases, and the thousand and
one other things that render the life
Of a miner perllous under the best
circumstance.
But his constant attention and skill
had guarded against most of these
things-had robbed them of their ter
rors-and he wavered IS he looked
upon the beautiful and pleading face
upturned to his own; and still more so
when the soft hand was laid gently
on his arm, and the sweet voice asked
again, will you not take me, please,
Mr.. Maloolm?'
Il do not know how to answer he
replied, shaking his head doubtfully.
what is there % fear with your
That direct app cal to his manhood
settled the question. How could he
refuse when she trusted SO implicitly
| to his strength and courage? 1t was
fattering to his pride, and Bruce
Malcolm was particularly Sensitive to
such things. He was an oak that
would lovingly accept the twining de-
pcndence ofthe ivy, and glory in the
might of his arms to defend.
Yes, he said, with his honest,
manly face cleaning with satisfaction
yes Miss Blanche, you may go
with me; and while | am seeing that
everything is in order for our descent,
you 90 and prepare yourself, You
will have no difficulty in procuring
suitable attire from some Of the wo-
men, and please to remember it is
rough work, and not holiday picnic,
we are going on
He turned away from the house to
the main shaft, and examined the
windass, the rope, to see that it was
not frayed, the iron upon the bucket
with great minuteness-made the
most particular inquiries concerning
the state of affairs below-what work
was whether or no the pump
ing engines were steadily doing their
work-the wind-sails all drawing, and
if there were any blasts charged.
'Then you think there is not the
slightest possible danger?' he said to
the man that was next to him in au-
thority.
Not the slightest, sir. The mine
was never so safe since | came in it.
why l want particularly to know
is that our young lady is determined
to visit it and | have foolishly con-
sented to take her.
she will be as safe as in her own
fathers house. But will go below
and see that all is all right.
DO so. BY the way, how is Rob?
Is he any better?'
No, sir; and much doubt if he
will ever be. But he is as comforta-
! bic as could be expected
Poor fellow. 1t is hard for so young
and strong a man to be bereft of his
reason. You keep him we'll watched?'
| sCops.outlv sir Thara Is not the