, 1884-02-05
REQUIRED BY LAW.
A Case for Prompt Aotion--A Full
Board Meeting--Sorrow-
Soaked Resolutions

tBfn Nye in brakes Travellers Magazine.1
Some time ago an old man, who made q
speciality Of digging wells In northern Wis
consin and curbing the same with pine
boards, had nearly completed q job, being
within twenty feet OF the surface, when the
upper part Of the well gave way and caved
In on the old man, covering him with q ton
or more of free soil and assorted debris; and,
strange to say, a small air space was left next
the wall, through which the old man made
out to get q little air, and through which his
voice could be heard by several men who
were working near by. They came to the
well and began to remove some Of the earth;
meanwhile the old man cautioning them to
be careful about filing the little air channel
In tho corner, 20 that his supply would be
shut OF.
Things were moving along In good shape,
with the prospect Of giving the old man his
freedom In q few hours, when 1t was sug-
gested by ono of the men that some one
ought to be made responsible for payment
In this matter before too much was done.
They were leaving their own work and neg
Letting n rsmunerative job to do this, and
soma one should be made responsible for their
time, at reasonable rates, at least This sem
timent WINS Endorsed soon after by the other
two men, and one OF them suggested that the
town ought to pay them for their time To
secure their money. however, he thought it
would be necessary to get due authority
from tho town board before the work was
lone. 1t was therefore decided to see the
clerk and the chairman Of thu board before
they proceeded any further.
They therefore adjourned from the well to
the residences of the clerk, who was at that
time in the woods, but who returned mt night
On his arrival he stated to the COMMITTEES
that 1t would be necessary to see the chair
man, who would be at home on the follow
ing day. Thereupon they NIL went over to his
house on the next day, and after q long do
bate he decided that be could do nothing
without q full board meeting; and 1t was
agreed that tho clerk should call q meeting
OF the board. giving ths three days notice re-
quired by aw. The board upon meeting and
holding q two days sesdon, decided that 1t
would not be authorized to expend the town
funds In this manner without Instructions
from = majority of the legal votArs of the
township.
Thirty days' notice was therefore given OF
= special election, at which 1t was decided
that the board might use Its own discretion
In the matter. Whsreupon that body called
another meeting; and fearing that the old
man might nave psrtshsd from fatigue, de-
cided to ill the we'll up and to draft rssolu-
lions OF profound sorrow, which SORROW
- ~ eRAc@o aROA
the moments Of the meeting by the clerk,
and a copy thereof furnished to tho bersaved
widow. and a second copy published In Tia
Joy Jsrksr at half rates.
No one will ever know until tho great book
Of remembrance Is opened and read by the
angelic recording secretary, how many days
that old man held up against the mighty
weight and the pure air that
came to him through = ~crevice, while his
brave rescuers were going through the
tedious routine of securing their pay bsfors
they earned it. No one knows how hope at
at last went out with a groan through the
little rift In the earth, and despair and death
came In together.
All we know il this; that the gray-hairod
widow, with a giant sorrow breaking her old
heart, was comfortsd by the following;
Whereas, It has pleased, etc,
and that copies thereof be made and pre-
sented to the widow Of said Smythe, and also
to the editor Of Ths Weekly Joy Jerker for
publication ~ an evidence Of respect to said
6mythe; and further, that the par diem Of
this board shall Be entered up for thu pro
ceedings horsin as usual"