Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-09-04

ana went toward the bottom of the shaft
to be hoisted into the bright sunshine and
safety.
Tim was the last. and was about to 20
with the train partly loaded with tools,
he had left behind. He jumped down and
ran back fifty yards to get it. When he re
turned Ned was paving the ground imra
tiently The lights of the departing mine RS
danced about in the distance as Tim scrang
t. his place behind Ned
Suddenly there was deafening roar
Everything seemed to trembe for second
Ned reared and plunged forward Just
then large fiat stone fell from the roof,
filling the cars with broken stones and
knocking Tim to the ground, where he was
held fast by something across his lower
limbs. His light was dashed out by the
fall. At the same instant Ned tore loose
from his fastenings and plunged away in
the awful darkness.
Tim screamed for help, but the sound of
his voice was drowned by great noise
which seemed to fill the cavity about him.
At first small stream Of water poured
down on him. 1t grew in volume every
second. Tim tugged and twisted to get
fast. His most violent efforts were fruit
less. He knew that his time was short if
he did not succeed in getting ont, for he
realized that the long dreaded moment had
arrived when the river was breaking into
the mine. He raised his voice again and
again for help, but the only answer he
heard was millions of echoes.
Just as he was about to resign himself to
Sc 10 ha fol Il;
Ned had come back Tim reached up and
clasped his faithful friend tightly about
the neck and cried out, "Back, Ned, back"
For second he thought his arms would
be pulled from his body and at the shout
ders. Then he felt himself drawn slowly
forward, and it seemed that his legs would
be broken as they slipped from among the
stones that held him to the ground The
tween the rails with Tim still hanging to
his neck and his body swinging back above
the animals hoofs.
By this time the water was coming down
in a stream a foot in diameter and growing
larger every moment.
At the door to the department Ned STUN
bled and threw Tim to one side, which
caused the animal to swerve near the wall
handle of the door and closed it with a
bang which wedged it between the door
posts as Ned dashed on with his human
burden toward the bottom of the shaft
All was confusion there. The most able
bodied were hurrying up the ladders, as ii
general alarm had been sounded when the
roar of water was first heard. Ned stopped
with snort and with his eyes cleaning
fto Il, /,
dropped Imply to the ground, but was
hastily picked up and carried to the cage
Ned backed into his accustomed place, and
the signal was given to hoist away. The
machinery was started and Il few seconds
later Tim and Ned were safely on top Of
the ground All the miners were out in a
short time.
Tim was unconscious when he reached
the surface and was carried out into the
fresh air. Ned followed closely and watch
ed the movements of the men with as great
anxiety as a dumb brute could express.
In IL short time Tim opened his eyes, and
in turning his head to one side he saw Ned.
The animal crowded up at a signal from
Tim and received the caresses lavished on
him in way that would lead one to be-
lieve that he knew all about what had
happened ana realized that Lley QaQ HaQ
very narrow escape.
Tim and Ned never went into the mine
again. The accidental closing of the door
had prevented the greater part of the mine
from being flooded, and thereby great
deal of valuable property was saved.
AS Il park of gratitude the mine owners
provided for the Seasongood family and
sent little Tim to school lie acquired a
good education, and reaching manhood
be embarked in business for himself
He is now one of the honored and pros
porous citizens of that locality.
Ned was given the best of care, and
passed his remaining days in frolicsome
idleness. He was frequently visited by
Tim, and it was no uncommon sight to see
the two standing out in a pasture, with
Ned resting his head on Tins shoulders
and eating dainties from the hand of his
best human friend. When Ned finally
went to his last reward he was carefully
buried by Tim
At the head of the green mound was
erected headstone, on which was chiseled
the words: