Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-01-28

the shaft IS IN The cage, esan IRON
structure open at two sides, steadied
in its course by two grooves, which
fit in two wooden .'guides" extending
the whole depth, and fixed to the side
of the shaft. | must also explain
that the ''sump" is tie bottom of theI
shaft. The shaft is sunk few faith
oms lower than the lowest seam of
coal that is being worked. Into this
lowest part of the shaft, euphoniously
termed the ''sllmp," the water, which
oozes from the sides of the shaft,
finds its way, and is constantly being
pumpedsout, to prevent the flooding
of the pit.
How man could be let down into
the sump and escape alive, seemed a
mystery to me, ''How on earth did
you get out?'' l asked. Il suppose
they drew the cage up at once" r
"Never," said the shaftman.
'SThe engineman, by mistake or acci-
dent, ran her right down into the
sump, and she stuck, while the other
cage was right up at the pulleys.
The engine-power was lost, and he
couldn't get her up.
ssThen how did you escape?" l ask
ed breathlessly.
"Why," he answered with grim
smile, Il had to get out the way they
catch sparrows at Gateshead.'
How's that?''
s'The best way l could. l manag-
ed to get out of the cage. There was
only just room enough to squeeze up
between the cage and the side of the
sump, and climed up by the timbers
to the top Of the water. was near
done when | got home. The engine
man was nearly off his head. They
were all sure l was killed. and were
seeking about how to get the cage up
again.
''Wasn't it awful going down. |
said. Didn't yon lose your head "
81 can tell you It was. The cage
came down with a run and clashed
into the water like clap of thun-
der"
''Well'' he said, Il knew what was
going to happen, when felt her go
ing. The water came in Oh me; and
I knew there was eight feet above
me; and | thought it was queer
thing if had come here to be drown
ed. | had a thick leaaEer jacket on
and [ swallowed a lot of water; but
scrambled out somehow. But it was
a near thing, can tell you.
s'Oh,'; he continued, there are
queer things happen. Once, another
man and I were drawn up over the
pulley. That's not the big pulleys,
YOU know, sir but tho little wheel
with the small rope, few feet above
| the shaft, which we use for shaft
work. This other man and | had
been at work, sitting in the loops
hanging on the rope; and when the
engine drew us up again, she ran
away and drew us right over the
pulley. At least | went over; and
the other man hung on the other side,
balancing My hands were cut by
the wheel; but held on till they got
US down. but it was a roguish ride,
was that. Well, good night, sir
wondered how many lives this
man had, and how he could go away
so cheerfully to meet day by day the
perils of his toll.
I was talking the other day to a
man about emigrating. HI'll tell you
he said. When / was one and
twenty, I settled to leave the pits and
go to America. When the tImf
came, said to mother, We'll, moth
er, I'll make this the last days work
here, and we will be off to America.
Mother, she was sore cut up, ano
she saws, Bill, I'd as soon see yot
lying in your grave in our church
yard, as that you should go to Amer
ica.' Well, sir it is the gospel truti
I'm telling you. | went down to th'
pit at 10 o'clock that day, and before
twelve / was carried home smashed
all to pieces. | never left my bee
for seventeen weeks. A full tub O
Goals caught me on the incline, b,
the neglect of the man working witt
r /, me. The tubra away. There wa
no room to pass. | ran for my life
!. / but the wheels went over me ant
/ smashed me up. And that's all "
ever thought of going to America