The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-04-26
Little Martin Cro0han's Sacrifice.

About six years ago, in one of the Penn.
sylvania mines, several chambers in the
upper tier or vein we're discovered to be on
nre. 1t was feared that the flames, which
were raging fercely, would reach tie
shaft before they could be extinguished
Word was hastily sent 10 the men in the
workings beneath to come up before all
means of escape was cut off.
Martin Craghan, a boy of twelve wears
had been promoted to the position of mule
driver the day before. He had Just taken
his mule to her dark stable, 900 feet under
ground, when cOmrade called to him and
told him of their danger, urging him to
hurry 10 the shaft, for all the men were
gone.
With a sorrOwful look at his mule,
which he knew he could not save, Martin
ran with his companion, till they stood On
carriage waiting to be hoiSted up. Then
suddenly it flashed upon him that num-
Der of men were working i'm a distant part
of the mine, and had not been warned of
their peril.
80 Johnny" he exclaimed, "we must
go tell them ere men i'll No. 4, or they'll
never get out ~
There isn't time. The shaft will be on
fire in minute, and then all the smoke and
gas will rush down here and suffocate us. ="
"But it will kill those men, too, and
they've families to support. There's poor
BIll Craghan, my cousin, with an old
mother and seven little children. If we
run fast, we can get back before they
boist the elevator
You may go if yer sich a fool, but IN
not risk it, )" replied his companion.
Almost before he had finished speaking,
Martin had rushed away through the dark
galleries and chambers of the mine, till he
reached the imperiled miners, and in
frightened, bTeathlesS tones told his story
Then instantly turning, he fled back to
the shaft, hoping the elevator had not yet
assembled. But it bad gone and his com
panion with it. Martin looked up, saw
the glare of the fire and that the wire rope
had melted, and he knew all hope of escape
IN that way was cut off.
With fleet steps he once moro threaded
the deserted tunnels, back to the men for
whom he had risked so much. But they,
taught by experience of the utter hope
lessness of escape by that one imperiled
shaft. had rapidly employed the time in
building a barricade of rock and coal, as a
temporary protection from the noxious
gases and smoke that were already be-
ginning to fill the mine.
by the time little Martin reached the
barrier it was snlidly constructed. for ON
tiias depended their only chance to live till
the buruing shaft was exJinguished. Com
ing close to the wall, be begged pitepusJv
Tor admission, but the men persistently
refused him.
bill Bill Craghan - he cried. Uvou't
you make them lie: me in? l would have
been safe at home now but for Won Tom
Reese, your brother Johnny wouldn't come
to tell you of the danger, and he was saved.
Now you are going to let me die out here ~
The men inside tTembled as they listened
to the poor boys sobs. and many rough.
black hand was drawn across their eyes ;
aud at last tender-bearted Bill rushed Ia
the barricade to make an entrance for the
little fellow.
But strong arms pulled him away, while
in hoarse, broken voices they said ''No,
no, man. He's but one. We are many.
10 make hole big enough to pull him
through would be death to all -
But he riskeG his life to save us. Win
we let him die but a step away from usP''
Not if we could help it, you well know,
BIh. Bat think of our wives and children
at home. W"ulC ye have us all perish ?''
Martin heard this conversation and nut
ting his lips close to the wall, said ouietIv
Never mind, Biz. | know you wouId
all have saved me if you could. | amt
sorry brought you the warning. I'm go
ing back to poor old Rosa. If you get out
safely, old goodbye for me TO father and
mother aud little Eddie.''
Then, turning away, he went to the sta
at her stall, unconscious of auy danger
Martins lamp was still burning. and the
smoke bad not yet penetrated the wooden
barriers between.
AT first lie felt in hopes he would be safe
there. But gradually the noxiuus vapors
forced their entrance. As he saw that
sufocation must soon come he found n
piece of board, and wrote with chalk the
names of those that were dear TO him.
As he wrote memory brought their pres
ence before him--his tender mother. who
bad kissed him such loving goodbye in
the morning, and ha looked So proudly at
him when he told Of his promotion, and
the better wages he would be able to earn
Then little baby Eddie, how he crowed aud
shouted whenever Martin appeared +!
Would his father ever know thai he had
sacrificed his life to save others Il was
bard To die So young, so full of hope, all
alone in the dark
Blu: creeping back to his dear old Rosa
ne lay down beside her, as he felt sick and
faint with 5he sitting air; and GOD merci-
fully looked down on the little hero, and
soon ended his sufferings. The others es.
capped when the fire was extinguished.
But there, close beside the dead animal,
his body was found, aud the memory of his
noble deed is still cherished in those re-
gious. - Youths Companion.