The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1879-06-28
Saved by a Swallow.

The old coal pit of Bottsford had
proved 4 failure after fifteen
thousand dollars had been expcnd-
ed on it. The forcsaken Shaft, two
hundred feet deep, and long tun-
mel in the mountains of Bottsford
we're the only remaining traces Of
work having been done.
Mr.. Newman Highborn, while
rowing through these mountains
became separated from his COM
panions. He had reached the fore
saken shaft, and was prccipitatcd
into, the fearful abyss. His walk
ing stick which struck the rough
side walls here and there, broke
the swiftness of the fall. But down
down he went to the bottom, where
he reached very much manglcd, it
is true, but alive.
Although agonizing with pain,
he experienced a feeling of thank
fulncss for the preservation Of his
life. Still he felt there was no
help for him two hundred feet be-
low the surface. He was only
saved here to famish. Through
out tho whole drcary night he
planned how to escape, but moth
ing occurred to him. lie must
stay and perish. The next morn
ing he consumed the bread he
fortunately found in his pocket.
The space he occupied was but 4
few feet square, and with the help
ofmatches he explored Thorough
ly.
lTighborn, under ordinary cir
cumstanccs, was not easily dis
couragcd, but now the terrible stu
alton in which lie found himself,
gradually began to Cypress his
spirits, The more he reflected on
it, the more he became discouraged.
He began to be tortured by
thirst, and there was no water
there, not even drop, which
usually trinklcs down so abundant
ly in places of that kind. The day
passed and the night came. lie
covered down, weary and hungry,
and fell into deep sleep, lie
dreamed Of a woolcn stocking.
1t was m old story which lie had
often read in his boyhood, of u
workman in England, who was
left on a high chimney after the
scatfoll had boon removed. lie
unravclcd his stockings and let
down the thin yarn to the ground.
With it he pulledup cord, with
the cord 4 string, with the string
Il rope strong enough on which to
dccend. So ended the story, and
so, also, ended his dream.
lie awokc.
What was the cause of this
dream? lie had known this nara
tive for years. lie did not find
himself on the top ofa chimney,
but deep down in the earth. His
situation was quito different. As
he was'thinking over his dream Il
swallow Auttcrcd down the shaft
aud fell by his side to the ground.
The poor bird was frightened, but
not dead.
Suddenly q thought flashed upon
the mind of Newman Highborn,
and he thrust Ills hat over the
swallow. lie then took Off his
shoes and stockings, and carefully
unrascled the latter. Tho threads
he laid over each other in n circu-
lar manner SO as not to become
entanglod.
lIc labored industriously and
patiently until the stockings form
cd one long string. This. he Eastcn-
ed securely TO the tail of the bird,
and again placed it under the hat.
Then he took Il lead pencil and
aidyI by the light Of Il match, he
wrote on Il piece of paper:
II am at the bottom Of tho shaft
Of Bottsford mountains-l beg you
send me help!
y. lIlGDoRy."
After he had folded this and tied
it securely to the other end Of the
thread, lio set tho bird free. II
iluttercd for II moment around