The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-07-19

it was danglin' beside that totterin'
wall.
you can't tell about such things a.
quick as they are in happenin'.
THE bell!' says somebody. but
there wasn't chance to say any more.
for the boss sprang past US with just a
word or two. short and quick. as he
pushed US right and left
black, men, back! That is my
place. You have families.
sin a minute he was leapin' down
over the piles of rubbish, and almost
before we was sure what he was Amin
for, he had reached the place, and the
white hands, strong and sturdy, had
hold of the rope and was maxim the
old bell shout danger if ever bell
did
I'VE hardly stirred or breathed
while we watched him, till he started
toward us again. Then long, shiver-
ing breath ran round the crowd.
II blieve he d have made it to get
out then if it hadn't been for little
Jimmy Bryce. That youngster was
naturally scared nigh to death at the
uproar, and instead of stayin' where
she was safe, what does she do but
come creepin' out of the store-room-it
was off to the right you understand,
AZ, hi 70, To nd
try to make her way over the ruins to
her father.
1.-The boss heard her cry, turned
back like a flash, and catchin' her in
in his arms, began to climb over the
rubbish piles again.
Catch her!" he called the minute he
was near enough, and tossed her over
into her fathers arms. But the move
ment made him lose his footin', and,
though a dozen of us had our hands
stretched out to catch him. he slipped
and rolled back down among the dirt
and stones.
II s'pose it hadn't needed but the
least little jar-or may be it wasn't the
jar at all-but any way the next minute
there was a crash, and the stoutest of
us shut our eyes to keep out the sight
The wall was down, and he was under
it.
'.He was the only man about the mill
that was hurt-badly, that is; of course
few was struck with flying stones, and
hurt in the crowd. But they'd got out
alive, and the one that had saved 'em
was buried under the ruins.
THAT was queer night. I don't
remember when or how the storm
stopped, but | shall always remember
what a clear. starry night it was, and
how the fires that were kindled to light
the workers famed and danced, while
the shadows lay black in the corners of
the mill.
"How we worked at the pile of brick
and mortar! one set takin' the place OF
another as soon as they was tired, and
as many workin' at once as the space
would allow.
"Once. goin' back into the mill to
rest bit, l found Jim Bryce and Tom
Clarkson a-carryin' that model that
Boss had been workin' over, back into
the office where it would be safe. and
they was liftin' it as tender as if twas
a baby, and the tears runnin' over Jim 8
brown face all the while.
I'D give any thing if l could jest
git back to this mornin' again" says
Jim, with a groan. To think
But he couldn't finish sayin' it. and
it was best not. Nest folks thought it
was the lightnin' that had done all the
damage. and the rest of us didn't knOU
but the lightnin' might "a done it all;
and that not bein' sure was the only
comfortin' thing about it.
NO, he wasn't killed after all. Oar
lin wasn't. The piles of rubbish he
had fallen between mostly saved him
from beiu' crushed. Every body
thought he was dead, and. even after
we found him alive. it seemed for long
time as if he couldn't live. But he come
round again at last. and got back to
the mill to finish up his invention.
1T was a success. too. Yes. sir,
that's what built up these mills the way
they are now-the most hourishin' ones
in this part of the country - and
brought better times to every one
workin' in 'em. That was what he was
amin for all the time, only we didn't
know it; and that was why he come
here.
That's his house ever there, that
big one on the hillside. He brought
his wife here when he married. and
settled down among his mill folks, as
he calls 'em.
Should think he'd be considerable
used up by such an accident? Well.
sir, l don't s'pose any body can GO
through that sort of thing and come
out jest eractly as they was when they
went into it. But if you happen to
meet Boss Darlin'. and don't think he's
good-lookin' now. why. this valley
wouldn't be a healthy place for you to
mention it in. Kate w. Hamilton, in
Youths Companion.
MILITARY COURTESY.