Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12

They were going on horseback, and a
merry time was anticipated.
They reached the ancient ruins, found
them all that fancy painted them,
strolled around the garden connected
with the old buildings, played croquet
and f1irted, and finally sat down to din
ner, about as contented party as one
would wish to see.
During the whole day, Nellie's father
had endeavored to bring the young
couple together, an intention which the
young lady Immediately OWNED and
understood, and straightway Mr.. Hunt
ley had his hands full.
When a woman will-she Will-yOu
may depend on it. And when she
won't-she won't-and there's an end
on it.
And every unappreciated, but appar-
| emily innocent effort on the part OF MI.
Huntley, only made the demure maiden
shun Mr. Trevor the more.
AS was saying, the party were seat
ed at dinner, an improvised table, laden
with good things, plenty of ice and
long-necked bottles being predomi-
nant In the midst Of merry laughter
and gay badinage, a low, rumbling
noise fell upon their ears, followed by a
loud crash.
All sprang to their feet in an instant,
the ladies pale and trembling--the men
somewhat startled"
| "What is it?'
Nellie's face was paid, as she asked
the question. Without a word Allan
Trevor sprang on his horse and rode
away in the direction of the sound, fol-
lowed by a half dozen Of the gsntle-
men,
In a short time a hOrseman was seen
returning, galloping like mad toward
them. It was Mr.. Huntley. He threw
himself from his painting horse, and
hurried forward-pale and agitated.
q 1t is the coal mine over there - he
cried, hurriedly. "There has been an
explosion; a portion of the shaft has
fallen in, and nobody knows how many
are buried alive there"
A scene of excitement followed the
dreadful announcement. Some of the
ladies fainted-all were terrified but
Nellie Huntley stood quiet. and out
wardly calm. When her father had
lIISuoIt, Sic itIO Ollc Slloll llftlltt vi lilo
his arm:
"Get my horse, please, papa" she
said. :" want to go there. | might be
of some assistance"
Nellie, are you crazy, child % You
must not think of such thing"
Yes, know all that, papa, Pm not
going to think about it-I'm going right
over there at once. Miss Renshawe and
some of the ladies will accompany me,
[ am sure"
Who would have believed it Of those
gay ladies of fashion and frivolity-but
not one forsook our little maiden in her
humane GRAND.
The horses were hastily saddled-the
servant who had accompanied them fol
| lowed with ice and wine, in case some
unfortunate should be rescued, and they
set off Immediately.
Arriving on the spot, they found a
terrible scene of excitement. A crowd
had collected around the shaft. There
were women crying and wringing then
hands; women on their knees, beseech.
ing Heaven for mercy on the dear ones
shut out from their eyes by that awful
bank of earth. There were men stand
ing sullen and gloomy, with arms folded
on their breasts, and in their faces grim
despair-wnile the very air seemed
| heavy with groans and sobs. and pray
ers, and calculations.
As our party approached, a lull fell on
the tempest of grief-something seemed
going on; a group had gathered round a
tall form and were begging and expostu-
lating 1t was Allan Trevor. Nellie's
heart stood still as she heard his words
in a firm, clear tone:
3" Do not try to dissuade me, [ am
convinced that there is hope, and if you
will only assist me, [ may save some
| life. There is an opening sufficiently
large for one man to decend with a
rope."
Before Nellie could approach him, he
had fastened to the pit; the necessary
preparation was made, and he disap-
peared from sight in the bowels Of the
earth. With horrible feeling at hel
heart, Nellie sank upon her knees. She
dared not pray. She knew that at any
moment the bank of earth, stayed in
its progress, might easily become de-
tached, 1.-THE slightest jar would do it, }
and would bury the mouth of the shaft
from view This was the awful fear
which filed the hearts of all gathered
there.
1t seemed hours ages-that she
knelt there, mutely imploring Heavens
mercy At last, a wild shout pealed
upon the air, the rope was pulled from
below, as though weight were attached
to it. Slowly they drew it up, and SC
one man was saved. In a few words, he
explained the case. The miners were
all disabled. and must certainly have
persisted, but for the superhuman efforts
of Allan Trevor, who, bearing each man
IN his strong arms to where the rope
was waiting, proposed to fasten it to
their bodies, and SO they would be res
cued.
cannot tell you, in detail, of that
heroic deed One after another of the
miners was borne to the surface, some
were bruised and bleeding, and some
were dying. All were received by cur
party, and kindly and tenderly minis
tered to.
Al Loot N oro oo,, n n ~, oy,,o,,+ &c MI