The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1880-05-20

ting at dinner, an improvised table
laden with good things. plenty Of ice
and long-necked bottles being predomi-
nant. In the midst of merry laughter
and gay badinage, a low rumbling noise
fell upon their ears, followed by loud
crash.
All sprang to their feet in an instant,
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 A en-
Trevor sprang upon his horse and rode
away in the direction of the sound, fol-
lowed by a number Of the gentlemen.
In a short time a horseman was seen
returning, galloping like mad toward
them. 1t was Mr.. huntley. He threw
himself from his painting horse, and
hurried forward, pale and agtatcd
" 1t is in the coal mine over therew
he cried hurricdly. "There has been an
explosion; a portion of the shaft has
fallen in, and nobody knows how many
are buried alive there"
A scene of excitement followed the
dreadful announcement. Some OF the
ladies faintcd-all were terrified, buI
Nellie lluntlcy stood quiet, and out
wardly calm. When her father had
finished, she laid one small hand on hi'
arm.
Get my horse, please, papa" sh,
said. " want to 20 there. may be
of some assistance"
Are you crazy, child? You must
not think Of such a thing"
ayes, | know all that, papa, Pm not
going to think about tim going right
at once. Miss Rcnshawe and some OF
the ladies will accompany me, | am
| sure
Who would have believed it of those
gay ladies of fashion and frivolty? Not
one forsook our little maiden in her
| humane GRAND.
The horses were hastily saddled-the
servant who had accompanied them fol.
lowed with ice and wine in case some un-
fortunate should be rescued, and they
set off at once.
Arriving at the spot they found ter,
riblc scene of excitement. A crowd had
collected around the shaft. There were
women crying and wringing their hands;
women on their knees bcsceching
heaven for mercy On the dear ones shut
ont 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 air seemed heavy
with groans, and sobs, and CALCULATIONS
As our party approached, luIl fe J
on the tempest of grief something
going on-a group had gathered around
n tall form, and were begging and eX.
postuating. 1t was Allen Trevor. Mel
lies heart stood still as she heard his
words in 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 one
man to descend with Il rope"
Before Nellie could approach him, he
had FASTENED to the pit, the necessary
preparation was made, and he had disap,
pcarcd from sight into the bowels of the
earth, With horrible feeling at heart,
Nellie sank upon her knees She dared
not pray. She knew that at any mo-
ment the bank of earth, stayed in its
progress, might easily become detached
(the slightest jar would do it), and
would bury the mouth of the shaft from
view. This was the awful fear that
filled the hearts of al gathered there.
1t seemed hours ages that she
knclt there mutely imploring heavens
mercy. At last n wild shout pealcd
upon the air, the rope was pulled from
below, as though weight were attached
to it. Slowly they drew it up, and 50
one man was saved, In q few words he
explained the case. The miners were
all disabled, and must certainly have
persisted but for the superhuman efforts
of hl'cn Trevor, who, bearing each man
in his strong arms to where the rope was
waiting, proposed to fastcn it to their
bodies, and so they would be rescued
can not tell you in detail of that
heroic deed. One after another of the
miners was brought to the surface, some
bruised and bleeding, and some dying
All were received by our party, and
kindly and tenderly ministcrcd to.
AT last there came n moment if Mel
lie should live to see the next centennial
she will never forget that moment when
the last man was safely landed, and the
rope came up alone. A. that instant
low, rumbling sound was plainly audible;
Nellie bowed her head.
"Oh, my God, what shall do?' she
walled, then, with sudden desperation,
she sprang forward. Lower the rope
once more" she cried. In her heart she
had determined eff he does not come
up this time, shall 60 down there my
self, At least we can die together"
With deferential glances at 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 to
come. The rope descended; it dangled
loosely for time, then there came
feeble pull. With loud cheers of en-
enlargement, the men above drew it
slowly upward. Oh, the agony to the
waiting heart, which now for the first
time was unvailed, for Nellie knew, be-
yond doubling, that she loved Allen
Trevor.
At last-at last--the end of the rope,
and fastened to it. palld and nearly life
less, the form of the brave man who had
so nobly risked his life. Risked it in