The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-09-13
THE LITTLE MINER BOY.
A story for the Young Folks.

lived miner by the name of Hubert
Coffin. Out of his six children there
was but one who had taste for mining,
and that was his third child, Matthew,
and but u years of age.
His father took great pride in teach
ing him to extricate the ore from the
rock, seeing that he liked it and worked
with wonderful spirit and interest al
ways.
The life of miners, away down 500 feet
below.the surface of the earth, is per-
ilous one. From the time they step into
the bucket-like basket which sinks them
into the pit apall of danger enshrouds
them, and all that sustains them is hope
and faith. The suffocating vapors, the
explosive gases and the masses of earth
overhead they seem to give no thought
to, but work on as much at their ease rs
if they were digging in their own gar
den, with wife and children within sight
and sound.
One day in the month of February
Hubert Coffin descended the shaft with
his son and over two hundred men I'M
der his command. 1t was about 10
O'Clock in the morning All were at
work, and none more interested and
happy than young Matthew, who
whistled and sang to the motion of his
pick.
Suddenly all were startled by the
bursting of water through an old cut
ting. The gush was immense; it rush
ed aAd flowed in upon them in every di-
rection so speedily that the shaft was in
undated before any thought could be
given for commands or preparation. 1t
was impossible to reach the alarm-bell-
that the courageous Coffin saw-with-
out loss of life, forsit asisurrounded on
all sides by the bursting torrent. Yet it
must be sounded. And sooner than lose
all his men and comrades, he must
make the venture; but some one whose
name is lost, but who is still in the
memory of the people of Liege, got
ahead of him, made his way to the bell,
and sounded its death-peals, but ere he
could reach his post again he was en-
quilted in the waves beneath.
The courageous Coffin did all in his
power to encourage and pacify his men;
but a panic was inevitable, and many in
their hurry to ascend ran and stumbled
over one another, falling and rolling
into the stream and perishing.
Coffin took his young son in his arms,
thinking he would leave the living tomb,
but as suddenly changed his mind.
"Come, my brave men," said he,
"let us to work. Wen soon work a
passage to the light; we have food and
lights enough for at least three days.
Nothing but faith and courage is need
ed" Then, turning to Matthew, he
said: " You, my son, ascend as quickly
as possible"
But the noble boy looked up, and ex-
claimed: "No, no, father; L came with
you, will not leave you. | can work,
too. See!" And he caught up his
pick and drove it against a resisting
rock with the strength and energy Of a
man.
"Work away, then, dear! 1t is the
first time you have ever disobeyed me,
and l will forgive you" Then scatter
lag his men in different directions all
for time set to work diligently; but
after two days and nights hard labor
and no sign of reward the men lost
strength and courage, and cried out
against their leader: "MaSter, master,
we might have been saved had you not
kept us here! We are too young to die.
Oh, save US! save US! You brought lis
here. Our strength is gone, and all
shouts and cries bring us no deliver
ance."
Poor Coffin was overwhelmed. His
young son seeing This took heart anew,
and turning to the men said: eff you
would all work as you ought, and not
stop to cry and scold, something might
be done. As long as there's life there 5
hope. Come, father, don't let US give
up until our strength gives out"
His example stimulated them all tC
action again, and for awhile they
worked steadily. Some were construct
ing a dyke to oppose the torrent, Others
sounding with their compasses the
neighboring mines, while many wert
spending their strength on rocks tha
resisted every blow. Is it any wonder
then, that hope 4 second time died out
and terror and confusion reigned?
But our little hero was still undismay
ed, and although there was no reason
for they had heard not sound-tO hop
for any help from the surface, yet some
thing said to Matthew, ''Keep VI, youn:
man, deliverance is at hand" He fear
ed death. but he did not feel its ap
proach; and again when the men threv
down their implements with insults an
threats he silenced them with his bold
ness and courage. He told them the
: were nothing but babies. and didn't de
: serve to live.
This brought blush of shame to thei
5 faces and had the power to consol
5 them, and again their failing strengt
revived; but when the last candle CAV
out, and their food, also, and they coul
no longer see each other, and nothin
but sobs and cries of rage were hearc
r then must the scene have been al
4 palling. No words of Matthew coul
t stimulate or silence them; but as b
5 took his fathers hand, and smoothed
B., affectionately, with the whispern
$ words, Courage, father, all Is goln
4 well,'' an indistinct sound pierced tn
d rock. Oh, joy! it grows upon them
k it approaches. At last they hear stroB
y upon stroke, and in shouting receive
e an answering shout. "Saved! saved!