The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-07-26
IN A TuNNEE. ).


"and then you'll have a lively run to
escape. When you've had as much.
experience in miningas J have, you
won't take any chances"
Dennis hughed softly, but contin-
ued shoveling coal into. the car, his
lamp, hung in his hat, throwing fan
tastic shadows across the chamber
against the black walls on either side
as he worked
Its no laughing matter, boy" con-
tinued job. Il learned to Abe careful
in just the same way you'll have to.
After you have had one or two pnches,
you'll listen to me. worked seven
years in the old country in a vein on
ly three feet thick, and had to lie on
my side all day long to mine the coal.
That's the kind Of experience you
want. These Pennsylvania veins are
thick enouge for n giant to stand up
in, and there's some kind of show
for man when there's an explosion
or accident; but there" and Job
shook his head dismally at the 'recol-
lection.
"Were you ever in a tight placer"
asked Dennis, leaning on his shov-
ell and looking attentiyely at his
friend.
"Lots OF times, boy" Job growled,
fixing the squib in "blasting barrel
that led to the powder tamped in the
hold. "Moren once I've had to crawl
on my hands and knees for my life!
You can't run there as you can here,
and if a miner was as reckless as you
are, it'd be all up with him in week.
Look out, now! I'm going to light i'll"
Dennis dropped his shovel and start
ed down the chamber; and job, after
knocking the crust from the wick Of
the lamp applied it to the sQuib
There was faint sputter, he cried
Fire for warning, and turned and
ran toward theshclter, his heavy boots
waking the dismal echoes of the
place.
eth be good shot, hope" he
said, very much out Of breath, as he
joined Dennis behind a large prop.
at ought to blow down enough coal
to last till quitting-time."
"You were long enough getting it
ready" Dennis remarked, dryly.
eyes, boy" Job said, scraping a
handful of tobacco from his pocket and
putting it III a short, black pipe. 81
learned to take time when was your
age. Eve seen many a man carried
home on stretcher because he didn't
take time; and some day I'm afraid
you'll have to be taken out of the tun-
mel in the same way"
Don't worry about it, job"
"But l WILL putting loudly to cleol
the stem. "You know as well as dc
that the tunnel isn't safe, aid yet you
go out that way every night in spite Of
my warnings"
Dennis laughed again, at which Jol
shook his head sadly. $50 your OWL
gait" he said "and ii you dom
lose your life, you'll lose your job
and then you'll remember what
said.9 IIllhW NJ III y
"I'll do nothing of the kind, for
have my life and my job, and / Intend
. to keep them both.P .l.at mh aloi
'A1 9"f hope so, my boy, l hope so" hi
said, but his countenance plainly be
lied his words. give seen so main,
men run risks and get beaten that
knowit's only a matter Of time TO
your turn to come"
May the day be far Distant sal,
Dennis, gravely, disturbed by job
words. II always try to be-"
The explosion at that moment inter
rupted him. There was a rush 0
air, dull roar, and the sound 0
fragments Of coal billing around them
THAT was a good one, III betl" ey
claiinedJob, gleefully. s+'There 8 sfiv
cars of coal in that shot if there's
pound
Waiting a few minutes longer unit
the smoke had cleared away, the
walked back to where the yellow glar
from their lamps showed the devasts
ton the powder had made. Larg
blocks of coal had been thrown severa
feet from the "face" of the chamber
and many smaller pieces lay scattere
around. Job began to split up tn
large chunks, and Dennis, after loob
ing at the hole made by the explosion
seized his shovel and began filing tn
car, singing a wild song in a minor Ike
as he worked.
The song continued most Of the da
with few interruptions. OCCASIONAL
Job had something to say, or stor
to tell, to cheer up the solitude of I'll
place, while through the darkne
came the reports and conclusions
numerous explosions around them an
the shreks of the engines whistle
the distant tunnel but as every ola
49,. L. :. 4 ......,,l -. III 80.