Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-12-24

him from going over to where she sat
beside Howard Ford, and shaking hands
again, while he said:
miss Ella, me and the rest of yer
friends has been a-noticin' that you
and Frank Hobart's kinder geein' off
from aich other, and that you amt
danced together tonight Now the
supper'll be ready in half an hour, and
before that time, if you'd go up and ak
Frank to be yer pard for one round,
it'd please us very much"
Howard Ford looked shocked at this
proposition, and an expression of
doubt, then of pleasure, came into the
fine gray eyes of the sage brush
BELLE Bowing, by way of apology,
to the young man who had monopolized
he- that evening. she took Sam Brit
tons strong arm, and he led her to
where Frank stood.
"Mr. Hobart" she said, and her love-
ly face flushed and her eyes were
downcast, 'if you will not ask me to
dance with you, our friends think
should ask you to dance with me-"
$50 we do" said Sam Britton, before
Frank could recover his confusion.
| snow haul him out to the head of tie
kortillion, and everyone'll allow You
two's the handsomest Ripple at the
ball.
Like one in 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 the set, while other couples came
laughing TO the floor.
The band leader tapped his bow on
| his violin as 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
ly the music ceased, and the dancers
stood spellbound, with ashy faces.
"The mines on firel" came the hoarse
shout of men.
"There are eleven men still down.
shrieked woman.
There was no indecision about Frank
Hobart now. Without word he
sprang from Elias side, shouting as he
flew to the door: Follow me to the
mine, boys!''
Like a 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 a fountain of smoke was shoot
ing up.
Men followed with lanterns anC
torches. The festivities for that Christ
mas eve were over till it was knowr
that the men in the mine We're safe
The women, Ella at their head, rar
down to the canyon, their faces look
ing aged and white in the light of the
; torches.
make ready to lower me down.
shouted Frank Hobart as he leaped int
the bucket, land stand by to haul u
and answer signals!"
'lll go with your cried Sam Britton
"No; let some man como who has n,
wife or mother or loved one dcpenden
on him.
A tall young man in very red shir
sprang to Franks side. The engin
was started, and the bucket sank int
, the shaft, now vomiting forth ho
smoke like volcano.
; "Let me take you home, Miss Ella
5 This is no place for you," said Howar
. Ford. 4"
: Shaking his hand from her arm wit
an impatient gesture. she answered
, "Hcar him is my place, in life or i
g deathv'
5 Minutes of awful anxiety, then tn
t signal: Haul away' The chain fie,
about the drum, the bucket few Il
: through the shaft, and six men, all til
n bucket could hold-six burned an
: blackcned men, but still living, than
i God.--wore lifted out.