Tombstone epitaph., 1890-04-05

nope to Ben, days Of doubt and irresolution to Melinda, and busy days fR hand ani thought with Zip. .-..a,T The decisive evening cams at last, and Ben was on hand with his usual clockwork regu- larity to receive what he fully expected to be favorable answer to his suit It had been rainy day, but the sun had broken through the clouds in the evening and was setting bright and clear, casting it's last rays upon Mrs Spratt, Melinda and Beu Button, as they sat on the west gallery of the house.
 II declare, Melinda" said Mrs Spratt, sud. off and forgot to shut ths gap in the fencs around the well"
 And there is Blossisz calf in the yard now. and going straight for the well I'll go and shut up the gap, mother; you sit still, ' said Melinda, as Mrs. Sprats WIS zabont to rise.
 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 .el npon the wide opening in the ground She hesitated moment, then entered the gap and approached the well cautiously. On the brink, sho peered over and looked into the depth below. She was sbout 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 Aow rushed to the scene of the catastrophe
 Stepping carefully upon some blanks that were lying across the opening of the wei. 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 large mass of earth fell crashing to the bottom of the we'll and laid bare a huge powder hanging as if ready to topple the next moment
 A faint moan from the bottom of the we'll reached the ears of those above.
 'Oh. Ben. she is alIvei Save heri save herr" cried Mrs Spratt.
 'l can't, Mrs. Spratt. That rock in the side of the we'll will fall in directly" whined Ben.
 "Oh, save her, Benl 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 md called out to him excitedly: "Zipi Zipi conn quick, and save Malinda-"
 Zip heard and did not lose moment in running to the we'll
 He took in the situation at once With all speed possible he unwound the rope from the windlass, and after telling Mrs Spratt and Ben to stand ready to hoist, went down in the we'll, hand over hand, on the rope
 The earth was still falling, striking the bot tom with a hollow sound, when Zip with a lusty shout told them to hoist away.
 Melinda was landed above ground at last bleeding, bruised and unconcious. The rope was lowered again, and just as Zip's head was above ground the large rock in the side of the well and masses of earth from all around crumbled in and fell with sound As of thun- der to the bottom of the we'll
 It was a narrow escape.
 Melinda was carried to the house and a doctor was sent for. Before h arrived, how ever, she regained consciousness, and seeing Zip bending over her, glad smile lighte up her fair young face, while she murmured, Don't go away, Zip; don't go away"
 Just then Mrs. Spratt, accompaniedby the doctor, entered the room and 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 eyes and her voice was low and tender.
 "You can kiss her, Zip, if you want to-" she said.
 Zip did 'want to" and kissed Melinda on her smiling lips
 Then Mrs Spratt put her arms around Zip's neck and kissed him too, and told him that be 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 be was left out in the cold by every body, even by Mrs. Spratt, he thought it best to go.-John P. Sjolander ln Times-Democrat.