The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-07-31
IN A COAL-PIT.

IN A CUAL-IlIs
The old coal-pit of Bottsford had
proved a failure, after $15, ZOO had been
expended on it. The forsaken shaft,
200 feet deep, and long tunnel in the
mountains of Bottsford, were the only
remaining traces of work having been
done.
Newman Highborn, while rowing
through these mountains, became sepa-
rated from his companions. He had
reached the forsaken shaft, and was
precipitated into the fearful abyss. His
walking stick, which struck the rough
sidewalks here and there, broke the
swiftness of the fall. But down, down
he went to the bottom, where, it is true,
he reached very much mangled, but
alive.
Although agonizing with pain, he ex-
perienced feeling of thankfulness for
the preservation Of his life. Still he felt
there was no help for him 200 feet be-
low the surface. He was only saved
here to famish. Throughout the whole
dreary night he planned how to escape,
but nothing occurred to him. He must
stay here and perish.
The next morning he consumed the
bread which fortunately he found in his
pocket. The space he occupied was
but few feet square, and with the help
OF matches he soon explored it most
thoroughly.
Highborn, under ordinary circum-
stances, was not easily discouraged, but
now the terrible situation in which he
found himself gradually began to op-
press his spirits. The more he reflect
ed on it the more he became discour.
aged.
He began to be tortured by thirst,
and there was no water there, not even
drop, which usually trickles down 50
abundantly in places of that kind.
The day passed, night came. He
covered down weary and hungry, and
fell into deep sleep. He dreamed of a
wooden stocking.
1t was an old story which he had often
read in his boyhood of workman in
England, who was left on high CHM
ney after the scaffold had been remov-
ed. He unraveled his stockings and let
down the thin yarn to the ground.
With it he pulled up a cord, with the
cord string, and with the string rope
strong enough on which to descend. So
ended the story, and so, also, ended his
dream.
He awoke.
what was the cause of his dream
he had known this narrative for manv
years. He did not find himself on the
top OF chimney, but deep down in the
earth. His situation was quite different
AS ne was thinking over the dream a
swallow futtered down the shaft and
Tell by his side to the ground. The poor
bird was frightened, but not dead.
Suddenly a thought flashed upon the
mind OF Newman Highborn, and he
thrust his hat over the swallow. 1t twas
out a weak ray of hope. He took off his
shoes and stockings, and carefully I'M
raVeled the latter. The threads he laid
over each other in a circular manner,
80 as not to become entangled.
lie iabored iEdustriously and patient
~ until the two stockings formed one
long string. This he fastened securely
to the tail of the bird, and again placed
1t under the hat. Then he took a lead.
pencil and aided by the light of match,
ne wrote on apiece of paper:
l am at the bottom of the shaft of Bolts.
ford Mountains beg you to send help.
NEWMAN HIGHBoRN.
After he had folded this and tied it
securely to the other end of the thread.
ne set the bird free. 1t fluttered for a
around Highborn's head, then
slowly assembled.
NOW arose a glad, though only a
~eak nope IN his breast; it grew the
nigher the bird assembled. Bravoi little
swallow. The thread at every glance
became shorter! A life depended upon
t. The bird at last disappeared at the
entrance of the pit.
but what prospects had he after alp
lie shuddered at the thought of the
light hope. Should the bird, after
eaching the open air, turn to the right
y lett how easily might the thread by
uoolng against the edge of the shaft
But the bird discovered upon reaching
he top, that it was more difIicuIt t0
urn TO one side, and consequently, flew
Inc three companions that had start
out with ohborn missed him for a
ing Tune and sought diligently and
areiuiiy for him. They repeatedly came
pom the shaft without for moment
lnklng that he might have fallen in.
ice they glanced down out of mere !