Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-11-11
"All right !" cried l. We know how it is. D

"All right !" cried I. We know how it is. .
They then started up the ladders. They
halted to rest at each platform.
Finally, as they approached the top, we
were able to catch occasional glimpses lover
Bill's shoulders) of pale face and black,
bushy beard. Then, when they reached the
last ladder, sloping up toward us, there was
added to the picture pair of black and eager
looking eyes-hungry looking is probably the
better expression.
The man was at last safely landed at the
top of the shaft He was stranger to us all.
4 tall young fellow, apparently about twenty
six years of age-stood before us. lie wore
a black felt hat and ordinary miners garb.
The man was weak, and tottered us he opell-
ed the moose at the end of the rope, dropped
it to his feet, and stepped out of it.
Suddenly he sank upon his knees. We
were about to go to his assistance, thinking
he had tainted, when he raised his hands, and
we saw, by the motion of his lips, that he was
doing thing that we did not often see done
in the mines
We took off our hats and stood by, in 81
lence.
When the young man attempted to rise
from his knees he fell over OH his side, and
came near rolling into the shaft again, for he
had tainted. Some water from the canteen
revived him, and a spoonful of brandy soon
gave him strength to stand, and even walk
slowly, supported OH either side by one OF our
men.
We were all dying of curiosity, and as we
moved down the side of the mountain toward
my cabin, we could not refrain from asking a
few questions, weak and sick as the young
man looked.
eYour name is Jacob Pritchard ?" asked
one of the men.
''It is,'' said the stanger.
ssDid you write this note % said !, exhibit
ing the scrap of writing had found.
'I did" said the man 'but there is blood
on it How came that am not hurt''
ssIt is as I found it on my cabin floor, where
you left it," said I.
ssWhere 1 left it How could 20 said the
young man, giving me reproachful look.
s'Well,'' said I, ''that is what I want to
know-and you all the time in the Shaft -
"Was it really brought to your cabin?"
'sOf course how else could have got it ?"
said l.
at is a miracle' ~ cried the young man.
''But how could you have sent the note up
out of the shaft ?" asked one of the men.
''The story is too long to be told now; be-
sides, what you most want to know is so SIM
ple-I might say so silly-that you will be in
clined to laugh at me when tell you. But
when am rested will tell you ALL"
This was grasped out little at time, and
so feebly that we all saw that the young man
was in no condition to tell a long story, such
as his promised to be. Bill, who felt proud of
his part in the business of the rescue, swore
that the man should not say word until he
had swallowed something in the shape of food,
and till he felt himself able to talk.
AS the two men assisted the stranger down
the steep face of the mountain-much of the
time almost carrying him-some of us fell be-
hind to discuss the words he had said.
After we had reached my cabin, and after
the stranger had partaken of such food as we
thought suitable for him in a weak state, we
asked him to tell us his story.
II ought to ask you to tell me your story"
said he, "as there are things that puzzle me
not little, and which you ought to be able to
explain. think you have said that you found
my note here on the floor of your cabin ?"
81 have said so, Il replied, "and cannot un-
derstand how it was left there.''
''The circumstance cannot astonish you
more than it does me-" said the young man.
''The hand of God is in it When you shall
have heard my story, you will probably be able
to tell me how the note was brought to you :;
indeed, that is a mystery which it will remain
with you to explain-it is what do not under
stand"
''Then, it will never be explained" said I.
eve don't know that, said the young man.
''But will tell you all know about this
curious business"
''Good Let us have it - said all hands.