Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18

two's the handsomest Ripple at tho
ball"
Like one in q dream, Frank Hobart
felt the thrilling touch of Elias hand
on his arm, and. quite sure that he was
about to disgrace himself in her eyes,
he took his place beside her at the head
of tho cot. while other couples came
laughing 20 tho floor
The band leader tapped his bow on
his violin IS signal to the musicians
and the dancers. The salute was given,
and the quick first bars of Haste to
the Wedding" swelled out; but sudden
~ the music ceased, and the dancers
stood spellbound. with ashy faces.
THE mines on firev came the hoarse
shout of mon.
There are eleven men still down."
shrieked q woman.
There was no indecision about Frank
Hobart now. Without . word he
sprang from Elias side, shouting as he
few to the door: Follow me to the
mine, boys!"
Like q mountain lion he leaped
ahead and dashed down the winding
steps cut in the precipitous side of the
canyon. at the bottom of which was
the opening Of the mine shaft, from
which fountain Of smoke was shoot
ing up.
Men followed with lanterns and
torches. The festivities for that Christ
mas eve were over till it was known
that the men in the mine were safe.
The women, Ella at their head, ran
down to the canyon. their faces look.
ing aged and white in the light of the
torches.
Make ready 70 lower me down."
shouted Frank Hobart as he leaped into
the bucket, land stand by to haul up
and answer signals"
'1ll go with you" cried Sam Britton.
''No; let some man come who has no
wife or mother or loved one dependent
on him."
A tall young man in . very red shirt
sprang to Franks side. The engine
was started. and the bucket sank into
the shaft, now vomiting forth hot
smoke like volcano.
Let me take you home, Miss Ella;
This is no place for you," said Howard
| Ford
Shaking his hand from her arm with
an impatient gesture. she answered:
Near him is my place, in life or in
death"
Minutes Of awful anxiety, then the
signal: Haul away" The chain fie wv
about the drum. the bucket few up
through the shaft, and six men. all the
/ bucket could hold--six burned and
blackened men. but. still living, thank
God.-were lifted out
"Lower sway--quick" Raspsd one Of
| the rescued
: Down through the SHAFT the bucket
| ratified again. A few minutes. that
seemed like hours of awful anxiety.
and once more the signal came mp:
! Haul away"
| Up, up; six men, blacker and more
burned. were lifted out
Where ia Frank Hobart9' shouted
Ella
The ca would only hold six. He
I he made rs get in. said the man who
had gone down with the young snpcr-
! intendent
| groau OF horror rang through the
/ crowd aud Ella tottered towards the
bucket. a. IL 10 get in.
''God helping me. III bring him url
I Lower away. bows sam Briston. with
bis wifes shavl about his head and
face and her cry ringing In his ears,
irarrd INTO the bucket and IL vanished
into the furnace ~ II by force Of
t gravity
4 More minutes. that seemed Hike
hours. and ths sigma. faint one this
I time. for the Ere vas gaining. ws-
/ givenl "iiaul away
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/ whispered
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