Mower County transcript., 1889-10-30
AT THE PUMP-SHAFT.
How Alice Pluckily Saved It from
Destruction.

~S>A S~~sASAAs
Il shall not be able to run my en-
gine tonight, wife," said. John Nc
Dowell, wearily resting his head on
his hand.
Poor Mrs. Mcdowell dropped down
in chair that was near.
well. if you can't, you can't,
john" she said, land that's all there
is to it, I suppose
mo, it isn't all there is to it, he
answered. "If I am not there to-
night the company will have a man in
my place tomorrow. But I can't 60.
l can hardly breathe here, and in that
close, dirty engine-room l would
smother. If Marvine, the boss, only
knew l was sick, he could get some
one till l am well-if I ever am,"
smiling family. Last night I could
hardly walk around to oil the engine,
and l thought morning would never
come. l could not go tonight if 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, I
know, bat you have not missed a night
in years, and the company can not
blame you now"
There are. some things women
don't understand. and that's one OF
them" John Mcdowell said 1--we
worn myself out in the company's
service, but let me miss tonight, and
I'd be discha, ged just the same as if I
were new hand"
He had to stop to catch his BREATH
When he was young man he had run
a pump inside. and the steam and foul
air had given him the miners asth-
ma and though he had fought it for
years. it had conquered at last.
Won't Carson run in your plaoe?''
she asked.
mot he. 1t would be asking too
much of the man, for no one know s
when l will be out again. Is Alice
in?''
''She's in her room Shall I cali
ner?'
He nodded his head. ''She scan
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, was not hong
in answering daer mothers call. What
was her parents surprise to see her
clad in a heavy woolen dress when she
came in.
Where are you going, child?" her
father asked.
''You are too sick to work tonight,
and I am going in your place. she
answered, looking from one to the
other.
your exclaimed her mother, in
unfeigned astonishment.
why not? Haven't I often been
there with, and learned how to run the
engine? l know when to put tallow in
the cup, and how to oil every part y
she said, with determination in her
eyes and voice. 49,
''How about the walkipg-beam at
the top, and the pl1ngers at the bot
tom of the shaft?" asked her father,
gasping d little. IL # H.
"When they need oiling I can 90
down the ladders and oil them, as
often have when you were there
= s.And carry your lamp and oil-can?''
eyes, father: you have seen me do
it more than once" a.
~ ''No, Alice" said her mother, gent
ly, ''you can not do all that, it would
be far too much for your strength. y
But / have, can, and I will,
rather than have father lose his place, .
Alice said emphatically. "You know
we need the moneys and as long as
father is sick. be it a week Or a month,
: ] can run his engine and draw his
pay +.
Mr.. Mcdowell smiled in spite of his
weakness. well, wife, what do you
think?" he asked.
..The girl is right she answered.
at will not do to have you out OF
work, and / see no other way but for
her to take your place till you are
well, if tie compan don't object I
- will see tc that to-norrow,' s