Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-10-24
AT THE PUMP-SHAFT.
How Alice Piuckily Saved II from
Destruction.

II shall no, bc able TO run my en-
CINE tonight. wife," said John Me
Dowell. YEARLY resting his head on
his hand.
Poor Mrs McDowell dropped down
IN n chair that vas near.
Well II you can't. you can't.
John" she said. and that's all there
il to il. | suppose"
No. il isn't all there il 10 II. he
answered. III | am not there to-
night the company will have a man in
my place tomorrow. But | can't go.
] can hardly breathe here. and in that
close. dirty engine-room | would
smother. II Marvinc. fe boss. only
knew / was sick. he could get some
one till I am welI-if | ever am"
smiling family. Last night | could
hardly walk around 10 oil the engine.
and | thought morning would never
come. ] could not go tonight IL my
life depended on it."
You must not give up. john" Mrs
Mcdowell said. a suspicious moisture
appearing in her eyes We've had
lots of trouble since the strike. |
know. but you have not missed n night
In years. and the company a not
blame you now"
There are some things women
don't understand. and that's one Of
them" John Mcdowell said. I've
worn myself out in the company's
service. but let me miss tonight and
I'd be dischai ged just the same rs il
were a new hand"
He had Ia stop To catch his breath
When he was a young man he had run
n pump inside. and the steam and foul
air had given him the miners asth-
ma" and though he had fought it for
years. il had conquered at last.
Wont Carson run in your placer"
she asked.
Not he. II would be asking too
much Of the man. for no one know :
when | will be out again. l. Alice
in?"
She's in her room Shall | call
ner2"
He nodded his head '.She can
cheer US both up" he said.
Alice. their only child. nearly eight
cen years OF age. who had left the
room but a few minutes previous to
the time when John Mcdowell decided
that he was not able to run the pump
engine that had been under his care
for nearly twenty years. wa nOt long
in answering her mothers call. What
was her parents surprise to see her
clad in a heavy wooden dress when she
came in.
Where are you going. child?" her
father asked.
You are too sick to work tonight.
and | am going in your place" she
answered. looking from one to the
other.
You exclaimed her mother. in
unfeigned astonishment
Why not? Haven't | often been
there with. and learned how to run the
engine2 know when to put tallow in
the cup. and how to oil every part
she said. with determination in her
eyes and voice.
How about the walking-beam al
the top. and the plungers at the bot.
tom of the shaft?" asked her father,
gasping a little
When they need oiIing / can &c
down the ladders and oil them, as I
often have when you were there"
And carry your lamp and oil al
Yes. father; you have seen nj do
II more than once"
NO. Alice" said her mother. gent
", you can o do all that. it would
be far too much for your strength"
But | have. / can. and l will.
rather than have father lose his place. '
Alice said emphatically. you know
we need the money. and as long as
father Is sick. be il a week or a month,
a run his engine and draw hi:
pay"
Mr.. Mcdowell smiled in spite OF his
weakness. We'll. wife, what do YOU
thiuk?T he asked.
The girl is right" she answered.
lit will not do TO have you out oil
work. and | see 10 other way but for
her to take your place till you are
well, II the company don't object
Il will see to that tomorrow
Alice said Il thought it ali over
while you and mother we're talking"
Suppose something unusual should
happeu?'
Then | will run down to the slope
boiler-house, and tell the ner there.
planned it while | was changing my
dress. and don't want either Of you
to worry about me It's half-past six
now. and l must hurry;" and. after
kissing her father. she tied a hood
over her head and fastened out in the
gathering dusk. leaving her mothei
~bemoanipg the fate hat had decrseS
Der only child 70 30 . girl