The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1888-08-22


Melinda ran toward the well, heading the
calf Off at the same time. She was about to
close the gap in the fence when her eyes fell
upon the wide opening in the ground. She
hesitated moment, then entered the gap and
approached the well cautiously. On the brink,
she peered over and looked into the depth
below. She was about to withdraw again,
but the ground under her feet gave way, and
with loud scream she was hurled to the
bottom of the we'll
Mrs. Spratt and Ben saw what happened,
for their eyes had fondly followed Melinda
in her every movement, and they now rushed
to the scene of the catastrophe.
Stepping carefully upon some planks that
were lying across the opening of the well,
they peered into the abyss below them.
There was no sound except of crumbling
earth and pebbles falling from the sides Of
the we'll The earth was loose from the rain
during the day, and the break where Ma
linda had fallen in had started the walls to
caving all around
Then a large mass of earth fell crashing to
the bottom Of the well and laid bare huge
bcwlder hanging as If ready to topple the
next moment.
A faint moan from the bottom of the well
reached the ears of those above
"Oh, Ben, she is alivei Save herl save
herin cried Mrs. Spratt.
II can't, Mrs. Spratt That rock in the
side of the well win fall in directly" whined
Ben.
"oh, save her, Bent I'll lower you down
with the windlass and hoist you out again, "
pleaded Mrs. Spratt.
"Taint no use. That rock will tumble in
in minute, still moaned Ben
just then Zip, with head bent, came walk
ing toward the house. Mrs. Spratt saw him
and called out to him excitedly: "Zip zipi
como quick, and save Malinda.n
Zip heard and did not lose moment in
running to tho we'll
He took in the situation at once. With all
speed possible he unNound the rope from the
windlass, and after telling Mrs. Spratt and
Ben to stand ready to hoist, went down in the
well, hand over hard, on the rope.
The earth was still falling, striking the bot
tom with hollow sound, when Zip with
lusty shout told them to hoist away.
Melinda was landed above ground ut last,
bleeding, bruised and unconscious The rope
was lowered again, and just as lips head was
above ground the large rock in the side of
the well and masses Of earth from all around
IA dtid Atti WIN u Us Vi buult-
der to the bottom of the well.
Ii was a narrow escape.
Melinda was carried to the house aud
doctor was sent for. Before he arrived, how
ever, she regained consciousness, and seeing
Zip bending over her, glad smile lighted up
her fair young face, while she mlirmured,
Don't go away, Zip; don't 60 away
just then Mrs Spratt, accompanied by the
doctor, entered the room aud approached the
bed. When the good mother saw the smile on
her daughters face and Zip bending low
above the pillow, glad tears came to her Dyes
and her voice was low and tender
''You can kiss her, Zip, IL you want tor
she said
Zip did want to" and kissed Melinda on
her smiling lips.
Then Mrs. Spratt put her arms around
lips neck and kissed him too, and told him
that he must leave the room while the doc
tor attended to Melinda's hurts, which upon
examination proved to be mere bruises after
all.
Ben hung around the house for while,
but when he saw that he was left out in the
cold by everybody, even by Mrs Spratt, he
thought it best to go.--John r sjolander in
Times-Democrat