The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1882-12-16


that she often heard his voice calling her
and the light that burned always iron
nightfall until dawn in her easement tol,
that her heart ever kept vigil over hi
fate.
The old cottage still continued to b,
thought haunted by ghostly visitors, emo
because of this superstition none woult
occupy it. 1t gradually fell into decay
The women of the village rarely pass
ed the dead miners house without offer
ing prayer fer the restless soul.
The old mines having been worked, i
was at length determined that new exca
vations should be opened. Amid th,
operations a subterraneous murmur wal
heard mingling with the sound of th,
pike. Suddenly a wailing cry rent tht
air, and the earth seemed to tremble
Those aboye rushed in terror to the moutl
Of the pit, and the most fearless were
about to descend, when the call-bell wa,
rung violently. Every rope was at once
put in use, while the miners were white
and trembling with intense fear.
To every inquiry made they accorded
the most disconnected replies, such as
"a man, "a demon" "a miracle!' AT
length from one old man they garnered
that they had worked steadily to open
communication between the new and the
old mine, but finding only small OBJ
struction at last sturdy blow was made
and the dividing wall had given way;
that when the cloud of dust had passed
from before their nstonished eyes they
saw a young man; that he was lying up
on rocky bed; he seemed to be sleeping
that bis checks looked fresh and fair, and
that his lips were still red. Instead of
approaching him they had fled in fright
filled with The belief that it was an evil
spirit in human g1ise they had beheid.
The owner of the mine listened atten-
lively. AS the old man ceased he rushed
forward exclaiming: 80 the mine! To
the mine" Soon the truth WIS known.
Ere many minutes three miners issued
forth, bearing between them the body of
the young man. With a feeling of ire
pressible horror they laid him down upon
the green sward. His clothes were old.
and indicated a Style worn years and
years ago; all were, however, in a perfect
state of preservation. He seemed dress
ed as though for fete. In his hand he
held bcq 1t contained gold cross,
chain and medallion. Time had black
ened these little pledges which the strang-
er had doubtless inten-ed for some vii
lage maiden.
They were about to raise the body and
bear it away for burial, when old Amy
was seen approaching.
They made way for her, and those
near at hand were struck by the singu
lar expression of her face. Her eyes
sparkled with new life, and her steps,
usually so feeble, seemed almost to have
gained the elasticity of youth. Waving
them aside with an imposing dignity,
she advanced directly toward the dead
man. Kneelng, she parted the dark
hair on his brow aud murmured, in a
tone of lnexpressible love and tender
ness, his name-"Alick!"
At once all was clear. In an instant
the old people present recognized the
companion Of their youth. Again she
spoke.
"Alick, friend of my childhood, my
husband, l knew that We would meet
again on earth"
As she ceased speaking, her head
dtooped lower and lower, until it sank
upon his breast, as if in prayer.
At length the young men advanced to
remove the body. Gently the women
raised the figure of the forlorn woman.
Seeing that she made no resistance, they
bent over her, aud found that she, too,
was dead. Her long, loving vigil was at
an end. The same grave holds them
both, and many sweet flower is laid
upon it in remembrance of their fate,
while the legend of their love is often re.
counted in the humble homes of the
poor.