Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1880-06-05
vet been illuminated, or eliminated,


and restore the old woman's cap 10 lis
egitimate resting-placc Had She not
been thus pre-Occupicd, her quick eye.
might have caught e impse, through
tie wide open window, of tall form,
and dark, handsome face, whose owner
had paused to light cigar. and h"d
overheard every word the little witch
bad uttered.
Allen Trevor smiled 20 himSclf-a a
queer lite smi e it was too, and meant
vo umes and, putting leisureiy ut his
cigar, strO!led away.
A few days afterward a party set out
from Huntley Place for the purpose Of
passing the day among some old ruins,
which wer@ considered picturesque, and
quite the thing for excursionists ito do
! hey were going on horseback, and
merry time was anticipated.
They reached the ancient ruins
found them al that fancy painted
them," strOlled around the garden con-
nected with the old buildings, played
croquet and f|irted, and final sat down
to dinner, about as conten,ed party aas
one would. wish to see.
During the whole day Ncllic's father
had endeavored to bring the young
CO.: ple together. an intention which the
younS lazy Immediately divined and
understood, and straightway l,.r. Hunt
ley had his hands full.
"When a woman will. she will, you
may depend on it," And every unap-
preciateI and apparently innocent effort
on the part of Mr.. Huntlcy only made
Al 4 4 y al,
more.
As / was saying, the party were sit
ting at dinner. an improvi-ed tab'e
laden with good things plenty of ice
and long-necked bottles being predomi-
nant. in the midst of merry laughter
and CAV hadinage, low rumbling noise
fell upon their ears, fo lowed by a 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 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 short time horseman was seen
returning, galloping like mad toward
them. 1t was Mr.. buntley. He threw
himself from his painting horse, and
hurried forward, pale and agitated.
" 1t is in the coal mine over there"
he cried hurriedly. "There has been an
explosion; 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 fainted-all were terrified, bu,
Nellie Huntlcy stood quiet, and out
wardly calm. When her father had
finished, she laid one small hand on hi.
arm.
"Get my morse, please, papa she
said. "I want to 60 there. may he
of some assistance"
care you crazy, child? You must
not think of such thing"
ayes, know all that, papa, Pm not
going to think about tim going right
at once. Miss Renshawe and some oil
the ladies will accompany me, | am
sure"
Who would have believed it of those
gay ladies of fashion and frivolity? Not
one forsoOk our little maiden in heI
humane errand.
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
rible scene of excitement. A crowd hac
collected around the shaft. There were
women crying and wringing their hands
women on their knees, beseechin9
heaven for mercy on the dear ones shu
ont from their eyes by that awful banl
of earth. There were men standing sui
len and gloomy, with arms folded o,
their breasts, and in their faces grin
despair, while the very air seemed heav!
with groans, and sobs, and CALCULATIONS
As our party approached, lull fe
on the tempest of grief somcthin.
going on-a group had gathered arOun'
tall form, and were begging and ex
postulatiny. 1t was Allen Trevor. Mel
lies heart stood still as she heard hi
words, in firm clear tone.
"Do not try to dissuade me. l an
convinced that there is hope, and if yol
assist me may save some life. Their
is an opening sufficiently large for on
man to descend with rope"
Before Nellie could approach him, h
had hastened to the pit, the necessar.
preparation was made, and he had disap
peared from sight into the bqUels of tn
earth. With horrible feeling at heart
Nellie sank upon her knees She dare'
not pray. she knew that at any mo
ment the bank of earth, stayed in it
progress, might easily become detache'
(the slightest jar would do itl, ant
would bury the mouth of the shaft from
view. This was the awful fear :ha
filled the hearts of all gathered there.
1t seemed hours -ages-that sh
knelt there mutely imploring heaven
mercy. At last a wild shout peale
upon the air, the rope was pulled fror
below, as though weight were attache
to it. Slowly they drew it up, and $
one man was saved. In few words h
| Al