Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-03-18

that supreme moment | felt no jealousy
only supreme pity for her and him. Then |
glanced at hiS mother, and heard her quick
cry Of suppication:
Save him! Save my SOM;
Ddzed and Mortified, l turned round and
addressed the men:
''Is Mr.. Redrutb below?'
cay, ay, measterp' they answered in
chorus.
''Who saw him Iast?"
u did" said Michael Penmaur. ''He were
creeping wi John Prndragon out beyand the
bottom shaft"
1 walked TO the mouth of the mine, and
threw open the wooden lid. Then. kneeling
down, held my ear over the mouth and
listened. A sound like thunder-a horrible
rushing and rOaring-came from below. l
had no doubt now that the worst had hap
pened.
The sea had entered the mine
There was only one chance for those be-
low, if by any possibility they survived.
Some one must descend and make an inSpec-
ton, even at the risk Of his life; and, without
a moments he..-ItiOn, l determined to vol
! unteer for the task. Strange to say, my
head became quite cool and clear directly my
resolve was made.
1 '
and I'm going down."
4 faint cheer, mingled with terrified
muTmur, greeted my announcement
lit be no use, measter.' cried Michael
Penmaur ''Ihe ladders be clean GAVIN"
81 know that" | answered. but il we can
get safely down to the middle platform,
can descend from there by a rope. Run down
TO the office, some Of YOU, and bring all the
ropes and candles y0u can find
They rushed of cheering; ard turning to
those who remained, | explained my plan.
Several Of them. Michael Penmaur among
the number, agreed 10 descend with IN, to
the platform, aud to lower me thence down
the bottom shaft. IN less time than it takes
TO write these lines, the messengers returned
with several coils OF rope, and candles: !
stuck several of the latter about my person,
and two Or three in my wide-awake hat.
Then | was ready.
had set my foot Oh the first rung Of the
ladder, and was about to descend, when
Madeline bent over NE
God bless you" she cried, land bring you
safe backv'
reached up and taking her hand pressed
it to my lips.
Of he ives" said, "FII restore him to
you, and to his mother. Don't cry, Miss
Graham! There's a chance yet!'
| Thought her tears fell for him. and vet
strange 70 say, she had my sympathy; all my
wild jealousy sce%Ad to have fallen from me
ike discarded garment. What was my
amaze therefore when, bending over me, she
took my lace between her two trembling
hands, and kissed me on the forehead!
God viii bring you bacI!" she sobbed,
and turned awav
Soarcaly reojizipg tI,a sio,,ifcancn Of what
had occurrnd descended rapidIy followed
bv Michael and the volunteers. AS went.
Il e roar from below increased, and the solid
rocl, ON which the ladder WAS set seemed to
shake as with earthmake. In pitch dark
ness reached the first platform
iroro T,,,rsod and sf,.il.in,,., If,rb+ III the
candIrs on INV nprson NV connanjons did
fine Same Yh. Iurid Ii~ht III ND their pale
anvious faces and shot faint roy. down into
ti,, ,,,no
.>- t,,, ,.,,,,,, oi,,,, ,.,.,.,,,,,,i,,,r ,I.,,
s.,,,, .t,[l 'r I,io,s SoI,a ~ ti,as Wow,
~ l,,-,.,.t l,-,,,ti,,..
3.,'" I'', ICY 81 Ii Wv,
}I ,,i s+,,l,,I , in cl,I
w, :, NV ''' INV 80 '''~ i''''N>
,,..-..l.,,,, -.-o
80 '"6' WIN -" - 1fi ~,
l0'0'0" C''0 o>'i'l''i Paw -, ',sSI
was oe'l'l.'n@, ana l''' 'o''0 l'0>
7pIIIlhS VITA 'ile soui'"'
l oent over the ABYSS anu heid down tAe
Ight using my mana as renecCor' ouro
enough, several OF the ladders had broken
away, leaving only the PERCEPTIONS shaft,
steep as the SlueS OF well. L Str2 Li6o hAy
eyes ihto the darkness, anu Iahcled as
cerhed, Tar Ocneath, something IKE the
CLEAN OF dashing water! Then shouted
but my shout was drowned III the SuOtPrTa-
mean tumult
On the central platform was WlndlaSS,
with portion Of an old disuScd crane.
Round this l passed one of the ropes, in
Structing the men to hold one end and grad
uaIiy give way or draw in as L should direct.
Then took the other end, and fastened it
securely under my arm-pits.
1t be nav use, MeaSter Hugh" cried
Michael. "Dawn't 'ee go. 1t be gawing to
your deathH'
But finding that was not to be persuaded,
the brave fellow Wrung my hand, and PROM
iSed to do his best to help me; nor were the
others less kindly and sympathetic. AS they
lowered me over tue platform, L partially
supported myself against the Shiny rocks;
but the next moment | was suspended in air.
Slowly, carefully, they lowered me down,
the candles on my person Pickering and
flaming, and lighting up the damp ana oozy
walls. AT last some twenty yards down any
foot rested on ladder, descending when L
reached the lowest platform OF all
Looking up saw lar above me, as IN
narrow frame, the faces OF the men. L shout
ed to them, but they could not hear; but L
waved a signal to them, and they answered
back. Then l released myself from the rope,
and prepared to look around.