The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-06
"T. & n"

"Goodby, mother; goodby, sister," said
little Tim Seasongood, as he closed the
gate in front of their cottage in western
coal mining town one morning and joined
the '"Tin Bucket Brigade" az the miners
were called on their way to the works.
His little sister Cora stood on the front
steps as long as she could see her brother
and waved her plump hands after him.
He looked back occasionally and threw
kisses TO her.
Tim was fifteen years old and was driver
in the coal mine; that is, he drove mule
which drew the loaded coal cars from
where the miners worked to the mouth Of
the mine, where they were hoisted out at a
shaft, then run down a long incline to the
river, where the coal was loaded into
barges by means of tipple.
Tins father had worked in the mine
nearly all his life, and the boy had gone
down into the darkness and among the
mysteries of the mine when Just old
enough to walk without assistance, and by
the time he was twelve years old he was
familiar with all parts of it.
At the age of thirteen he was anxious to
earn something to assist his father in sup
porting the family, and after much plead
ing his father permitted him to become
driver.
Tim was assigned to drive old Ned, do
cile mule, which had spent the most of his
daylight life underground. Ned was a
knowing animal and took kindly TO his
new master Tim always had caress for
his four footed friend. a bit of apple or
come other dainty morsel was Ned's daily
reward from Tim. In time the two became
so friendly that there was 90 friction be-
tween them, and the miners pIayfully
called them "T & N" Tim got hold of
some brass tacks one day and drove them
into Ned's harness in such a way as to
make these characters appear il bright
letters.
AS Tim clattered along that morning
on his way to the mouth of the mine the
sun was just rising. It was early in Octo-
Der and the surrounding hills were re-
splendent in their fall attire. Now and
then a red leaf dropped from among its
fellows and duttered to the ground in the
calm atmosphere. The sun was out in all
its splendor that morning, the first time
for several days.
Tim did not notice the beauties of nature
as he hurried along, not that he was uOt
lover of the beautiful, but his thoughts
were on a subject which more directly con-
cerned his welfare.
His father had been killed in a mine &C
cident a few months before, and Tim felt
the responsibility of the support of his
mother and sister resting on his young
shoulders. He desired to attend school
aud acquire an education which would fit
him for higher duties In life, but at that
moment the outlook was decidedly gloomy
for our young friend He could not see how
he could accomplish that which he desired,
as the support of the family depended al
most solely on his labor
When be reached the mouth of the mine,
Ned was backed into the cage and Tim fol-
lowed and put up the bars. While waiting
for the man in charge of the machinery to
shove back the lever and lower the cage to
the bottom of the shaft a hundred feet be-
low, he heard some one inquire as to the
stage of the water in the river, which
flowed swiftly by 200 yards away. Tim
glanced hastily riverward at the instant
the cage started downward and saw that
the water was almost to the top of the
banks of the stream and was filed with
floating driftwood. Heavy fall rains had
set In week before, and in consequence OF
the great rainfall the stream was extremely
high
Without a thought of serious danger.
however, Tim dropped foot after foot to-
ward the center of the earth, with Ned
breathing softly on his neck as the two
stood crowded into the cage.
BE quiet, Ned, commanded Tim as the
animal manifested some uneasiness at the
sound of water dripping faster than usual
down the sides of the shaft. You are not
getting skittish in your old days, trust"
patting Ned on the nose. The animal
placed his head anectonately on Tins
shoulder and became quiet
When the cage stopped at the bottom the
bars were lowered and Ned followed Tim
out. Tim had lighted s little tin lard oil
lamp, which he carried at the front of his
cap, before entering the cage. When he
emerged from the cage he saw the lamps
OF many miners flashing about here aud
there, like tretlies before a storm in sum
mer, as the men prepared u 20 to the vari
Gus departments Of the mine, He had wit
Gessed similar scenes many times before
and paid no attention to them, but bitcucd
Ned TO the train OF empty cars that stood
waiting, and with merry crack Of his
whip and cheerful &c long, Ned" went
rafting away over the steel rail track
dan dozen miners had clambered into
the cars with their dinner pals and the
tools which they had taken out of the
mlue the night before 20 get re-pointed
I'm was percAed up on the bead OF the for
ward car, and he had To frequently duck
his head TO avoid coliiding with well
Known overhanGlng distractions.
After going a short distance Tom looked
into che car next 10 MIN, and observed that
Its occupants, two old miners, were dis
cuSslng something of q serious nature
Thomas Jenkins, the one nearest Tim, had
removed his lamp from his cap and was
gently tapping the side Of it against the toe
OF his shoe III order 20 expose more Of the
wick so that the light would burn brighter
AS the blaze hared up Tim could see the
faces OF the TWO men, and was alarmed at
their serious ness. He caught the word
water as lie strained his ears 70 hear
what they were saying TIE rumble OF the
cars and the many echoes bounding back
from the walls and the roof Of the mine
1rowned the remainder Of the conversation.
Tim had heard enough. however. TO make
him uneasy. The part OF the mine in which