The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-06-12


found them @all that fancy painted
them," strolled around the garden
connected with the old buildings,
played croquet and flirted, aud final
ly sat down to dinner, about as con-
tented purity as one would would
wish to see.
During the whole day Nellie's faith
er had been endeavoring to bring the
young couple together, an intention
which the young lady Immediately
divined and understood. and straight
way Mr.. Huntly had his hands full.
when a woman will-she will
you may depend upon 1t. And when
she won't-she won't and there is
an end o. ii!'
And every unapprecIated and
apparently innocent effort on the
part OF Mr.. Huntley only made the
demure maiden shun Mr.. Trevor
the m ore.
AsI was saying. the parry were
sitting at dinner. an improvised table
laden with gooj things, plenty of ice
and long necked bottles being pre-
dominant. In the midst OF merry
laughter and gay bAdinage, a low
rumbling noise fell upon their ears,
followed by loud crash.
All sprang tn their feet in an In
stant, 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 upon his horse, and
rode away in the direction OF the
sound. followed by half dozen OF
the gentlemen.
In q short time a horseman was
seen returning. galloping Ike mad
toward them. 1t was Mr.. Huntley.
He threw himself from his painting
horse, and hurried forward-pale and
agitated.
1T is la the coal mine over there!'
he excla med hurriedly. There has
been an explosion; a portion OF the
shaft has fallen in. and nobody knows
how many are b .rried alive there"
A scene OF excitement followed the
dreadful announcement. Some OF
the ladies' tainted all were terrified;
but Nellie Hunrley stood quiet, and
outwardly calm. When her father
had finished sac laid one small hand
on his arm.
Get my horse, please. papa!' she
said, II want go there, 1 may be o
some assi5tance!"
Nellie, are you crazy, child? You
must not think OF such d thing!'
Yes. know all that, papa, I'm not
going to link about it-Pm going
right a. once. Miss Renshawe aud
come of the ladies will accompany
me, am surel'
Who would have believed it Of
those gay ladies Ut fashion aud fri
yolty-but no one forsook our little
maiden in her hum me errand.
The hor ses We're hastily saddled-
the servant who had accompanied
them followed with ice and wiue, 10
case me unfortunate should be res
cued, and they set of at once.
Arriving at ths spot they found a
terrible scene OF excitement. A
crowd had collected around the shaft.
There were women crying and wiring
ing their hands; women on their
knees. beseeching Heaven for mercy
ON the dear ones shut OF t from their
eyes by that awful bank OF earth.
There were men standing sullen and
gloomy, with arms folded on their
breasts, and in their faces grim des
pair-while the very air seemed
heavy with groans. and sobs, and
prayers, and ejac ulations.
As our party approached. a lull fell
on the tempest OF grief-something
seemed going on; group had gath
cred around tall form and were
begging and expostulating. 1t wa:
Allan Trevor. Nellie's heart stood
still as she heard his words, in a firm
clear tone.
do not try to dissuade me. am
convinced that there Is hope, and Il
you assist me. may save some life
There Is an opening sufficiently large
for one man 10 descend with a rope /
Before Nellie could approach him
he had hastened to the pit; the neces-
sary preparation was male, and he
had disappeared from sight In the
bowels OF the earth. With horri ble
feeling at her heart, Nellie sank up
her knees. She dared not pray
She knew that at any moment the
bank OF earth, stayed in its progress
might easily become detached Ohe
slightest jlr would do it). and would
bury the mouth OF the shaft from
view. This was the awful fear which
filled the hearts OF all gathered there
1t seemed ages-that she
knelt there mutely implorine
Heavens mercy. At last a wilC
shout pealed upon the air, the rope
was pulled from below, as though q
weight was attached to 1t. Slowly
they drew it up, and so one man was
saved. Iu a few words he explained