Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-03-21

mo, no! By the God that made me,
no. Food I'll have, if it costs my life to
get it! answered the man, and there
was a desperate energy in his wild
words that told he was terribly in
earnest.
He pressed hurried kiss upon the
brow of her who for love had given up
a comfortable home to share his humble
lot, and then he went forth into the
night, into the driving storm. The
wife pressed her face against the pane,
and strove to pierce the gloom in which
he vanished while he struggled onward
through the snow toward light that
elimmered like a beacon in the dis.
lance.
The way was rugg, and huge drifts
INSTRUCTED the pathway, but he bravely
breasted them, and at last, painting and
exhausted, he reacl Il large brick
dwelling, that by contrast with the mis-
cradle miners huts around, it seemed a
mansion. This was the residence OF
Hugh Ashton, the proprietor of the col
liery, and he was the man upon whose
employment all the miners of that little
hamlet depended for livelihood.
John Fayne, such was the starving
miners name, rang the door-bell, and
was admitted to the presence of the
king.
"Mr. Ashton" said he, as he con-
fronted the wealthy operator, my wife
and child are starving; will you give me
some food for them to night 1 have
worked for you in the mines until COM
PEELED by sickness to give itup, and since
am able to work again, the mines have
been idle, and I can find no employment.
1 am willing to work if only had a
chance. Iwould brave the dangers of
any honest toll, endure any hardships
to earn food for my family
Mr.. Ashton was at heart a kindly man,
but he had never experienced the awful
meaning of the word, starvation. He
regarded John Fayne closely for mo-
ment, and then called to servant,
"Put up basket of provisions for
this man at once"
"Thank you! thank you'll" said John
Fayne, and the tears started from his
eyes for this was the first kindly act
that had gladdened his heart for many q
day. When the food was produced he
was about to hasten home with it, when
Mr.. Ashton said:
"Stay. You say you are willing to
work, and although the mines are idle,
l think l can give you work if you dare
undertake it. You know the old North
| Mountain mine that has not been
worked for several years?"
John Fayne assented.
Every well" continued Mr.. Ashton,
81 will give you the job of robbing the
pillars from it,"
What" cried Fayne, in surprise.
Would you send me there The North
Mountain mine was deserted because
the roof was unsafe, and there were so
many lives lost by the fall of top coal
that no one would longer work in it.
And to rob the pillars too, Mr.. Ashton ?
If went there to work, there are ten
chances to one that would come forth
only as crushed and mangled corpse.
No, cannot do it."
"Very WE'LL" answered Mr.. Ashton,
the pay would enable you to support
your family in comfort, and / thought
l would mention it to you. You posi-
lively refuse my offer them"
John Fayne hesitated. He thought
of his loved ones, and the brave, noble
hearted man determined to take the
fearful risk for their sakes. He was
placed in terrible situation, and could
any true man have done otherwise -? On
the one hand was starvation for his wife
and child, on the other an awful danger
for himself. He chose the last.
I" I will accept your offer, and to NOR
row I will begin the work of robbinq
the pillars from the old North Mountain
mine" he said.
1t is early morning, but John Fayne
has already entered the gloomy caverns
of the deserted mine. He had taken
the food to his house last night, and
told his wife of the work he had OBJ
tanned. She had tried to persuade him
to abandon the dangerous project, but
in vain.
The gloomy subterranean place is ST.
lent and deserted. Overhead the black,
chasm- seamed rocks extend, and seem
ready to descend upon him at any mo-
ment, the water drips from numerous
crevices, and falling upon the hard floor
| SAfSo Ava VII WCAIu, uAAdtuIdA bOuuus II
seems to the lone miner that those
strange noises are made by the nails be-
ing driven into coffin, and he shud-
ders. Slime oozes from the sides of the
old gangway," and the iron mine rails
are rusted and decsyed by the action OF
sulphur water. Deeper, and yet deep.
er he makes his way into the mine, and
the cold damp air strikes upon him like
a chill breath from the grave.
The mine-lamp upon his hat sheds a
fitful light upon the uncanny place,
and the miner sees that here and there
the wooden props that were to sustain
the roof where there were no "pillars -
have fallen from their places.
He has now reached the point at
which his work is to be commenced, and
he sets about the task of drilling hole
into huge pillar of coal. He labors
diligently. and when the "drill meas
ure tells him that the required depth
is reached he puts the powder into the
hole, and prepares to fire the "s shot "
that is to blast away the coal.
All is in readiness, and he lights the
fuse that is to ignite the powder and