South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-06-11

on tue part OF Air. Huntiey only made
the demure maiden shun Dir. Trevor Tho
moro.
As was saying, the party were SIT
ting ~ dinner. an improvised table la
den with good things, plenty Of leo and
long.neclSed bottles being predominant
In The midst or merry laughter and gay
badinage. low rumbling noise fell upon
their ears, followed by loud crash.
All sprang TO their feet in an instant,
the ladies pale aud trembling, the men
somewhat startled.
What 10 itS'
Nellis's face was paid rs she asked
the question. Without word Allen
Trevor spraDg upon his horse and rode
away in the direction Of the sound, fol-
lowed by q number OF the gentlcmen.
In short time q hoiseman was seen
returning. galloping like mad toward
them. II Nos Mr.. Huntley. lie threw
himself from bis painting horse, and bur:
ried forward, pale and agitated.
1t is Ia the coal mine over there?' he
cried hurriedly. There has been an
explosion portion ofthe shaft has fal.
len in, and nobody knows how many
are buried alive there
A scene OF excitement followed the
dreadful announcement. Some of the
ladies fainted-all were terrified, but
Nellie Huntley stood quiet. and out
wardly calm. When her father had
finished, she laid one small hand on his
arm.
Get my Horse, please, papa, she said.
j want TO GO there. l may be Of some
assistance
/ 'Are you crazy child2 You must not
think of such thing
Yes, l Know all that, papa, I'm not
going TO think about it I'm going right
at once. Miss Renshawo and some Of
tho ladies will accompany me, am
sure
Who would have believed it Of those
gay ladies of fashion and lrivolity? Not
one forsOoh our little maiden in her
humane errana.
The horses were hastily saddled-thc
servant who had accompanied them fol-
lowed with ice and wine, in case some
unfortunate should be rescued, and they
set Off at once.
Arriving at the spot they found ter
rib!c scene OF excitement. a crowd had
collected around the shaft. There were
women crying and wringing their han Is
women on their knees, bcsecching heav-
en- for mercy on the dear ones shut out
from their eyes by that awful bank OF
earth. There were men standing sui
len and gloomy, with arms folded on
their breasts, and in their faces grim
despair, while the very dir seemed heavy
with groanS; and sobs, and ejacuiations
As our party approached, q lull fell
on the tempest Of grief-sonethng going
on-a group had gathered around tail
form, and were begging anu expostula-
ting. 1t was Allen Trevor. Nellie's
heart stood still as she heard his words,
In q firm clear tone.
DO not try to dissuade ME. am
convinced that there is hope, and if you
assist me | may save some life. There
is an opening sufficiently large for QUO
man TO descend with rope
Before Nellie could approach him, lie
had FASTENED TO the pit, the necessary
preparation was made, and lie had disap.
peared from sight into the bowels of the
earth. With u horrible feeling at heart,
Nellie sank upon her knees. She dared
not pray. She knew that at any mo-
lncnt the 5aGk Of earth, stayed in It's
progress, might c.sily become detached
(the slightest jar would do iL), and
would bury the mouth Of tue shaft from
view. This was the awful fear that
iiilei the hearts of all gathered there.
IL seemed hours-ages - that she knelt
there mutely imploring heavens mercy.
At last avid shout pealed upon the air,
the rope was pullel from below, as
though weight wero attached to it.
Slowly they drew il up, and so one man
was saved. In few words he explain
ed the case. Tue miners were all dis
abled, and must certainly have persisted
but for the supcrhuman efforts of Allen
Trevor, who, bearing each man in his
strong arms TO where the rope was wait.
ing, proposed TO fastcn il TO their bodies,
anil so they would be rescued.
can not tell YOU in detail Of that hero.
ic deed. One after another of the mi
ners was brought 10 the surface. some
bruised and bleeding, and some diving,
All were received By our party, and
kindly and tendcrly miuistered to.
AZ last there came a mOment-if Mel
lie should live to see the next centennial
sue will never forget that moment-when
the last man was safely landed, and the
rope came mp alone. At that instant 9
low, rumbing sound vas plainly audi
BILE; Nellie bowed her head.
oh, my God, what shall 1 lo?' she
walled, then, with sudden desperation
she sprang forward. Lower The rope
once more ! she cried In her heart she
had determined If he does not come NJ
this time, shall go down there myself
AT least we can die together
With defercntial chances ut the young
girl the men obeyed her mandate, while
others stood near, awed and silent.
Sinking upon her knees. Nellie waited
IN awful suspense for that which was &c
come. The rope descended it daupled
loosely for q time, then there came \
feeble pull. With loud cheers of en-
enlargement, the men above drew i