The Penn's Grove record., 1894-02-02
FOOT OF THE SHAFT

I was paying a visit to n of the
largest coal-mining districts in the
kingdom.
As the friend with whom l was
staying was engaged at business dur
Ing the day, l was thrown on my
own resources until the evening. One
afternoon 1 was walking in the fields
outside the town, smoking a cigar,
and Illuminating about things in gen.
eral, and the gloomy appearance OF
the whole district in particular.
/ leaned against a wooden fence,
and looked about Inc. On every side
the chlmueys, giant scatfoldings, and
mighty wheels showed the where
abouts of the pit shafts. The grass
was a dull, dirty, grayish green, the
air was thick and smoke laden.
There were a number of jerry-built
brick. houses-small, mean-looking,
and grimy.
l was startled from my reverie by
the sound of a grulf voice, saying,
"Eh, mister, have you got a match?"
looked around and saw an old col
lier standing by me, pressing down
the tobacco in a dirty clay pipe, with
an equally dirty finger.
He seemed to be a man OF about
sixty years of age, with hair fasa
turning white, and a weary, toll
stained, careworn face. his clothes
were covered with coal dust, aud he
carried in his left hand a basin
wrapped in a handkerchief, which
had evidently contained his dinner.
1 handed him my match box, and
he lighted his pipe in silence, and
commenced to puff it ~contentedly.
Presently he asked, abruptly,
"Stranger ERE, sir?"
swell, yes" ] replied. ~ am Say
ing in the neighborhood for a week
or two. You are a native, / sup
pose" / added.
SAY" he answered. ~ was born
close by, and I've worked i tn pits
since l was a baby, most"
Dangerous work it must be some
times" 1 said.
cay, you're right. 1t is dangerous
work. TIL most risky all occupation,
and one of tn hardest worked and
worst paid. I've lad n or W mar
rer escapes myself, and n Oh two
creepy experiences. There's n Of
them will live in my memory as long
as 1 can remember anything.
stPoor Jack Wood It's a sad
little tale, sir, as sad as any l ever
read in a book, but it's true, every
word of it.
''You see Jack was a lad that I'd
known ever since he was a nipper,
and when he grew to be a man, and
came to work in TIL old pit, VIC was
neighbours; and he used to call around
at night, and smoke a pipe with me.
sat first, | thought it was my
company as he came for, but soon l
found that he was taken with my
lass Lucy; and she seemed to like
him He was a fine, Straightforward,
steady young chap and Lucy-though
I say twas a pretty and as good d
lass as you'd see anywhere; so tn old
woman and me was pleased to n
them two taking to one another.
"For a couple of years or so they
went on courtin', walking out to-
gether, and readIn' to each other,
and auarrelin' and maxim it up
again, as young folks will, till one
night Jack ups and says, Father,
Pm wantin' to be married to Lucy
next month. Are you willin',"
"Well.' saws !, wiukin' at tn old
woman, and lookin' at Lucy, who
was hidin' her blushin' face in her
apron, well what does Lucy say?:"
land Lucy didn't say nothin'-she
lust ran to me and threw her arms
lround my neck, and buried her head
on my shoulder and laughed and cried
altogether.
",Lucy's willin',' said l, with an
other solemn wink at tn old woman,
and so are we Col bless ye both!'
Jack seized hold of my hand and
shook it like a pump-handie, and
Lucy gave me a very sweet and loyin'
kiss; and then she gave th' old wo'
man one; and then she went to Jack,
blushin' more than ever, and ne got
one ditto, of extra strength. All! we
was all very happy that night.
"Well tn time soon passed, until
tn, day grew near as they'd fixed for
, the weddin'. Jack had picked out a
little house, near us, for them to live
. in. and he and Lucy had looked after
the furnishin' and beautIfyin' Of 1t.
{ 1.-Two days before tn weddin',
, when 1 went home at night, / found
the whole place in an upset. Tn
/ misses aud Lucy was busy, tryin' on
TIL marryin' dress, and hadn't given
no thought to gettin' my tea ready.
However, tn kettle was always nearly
. boilIn' on tn hob, 80 it didn't take
llong to make me a pot.
BY and by, in comes Jack, n IT
was pretty to see Lucy, in her new
white frock, stuck all over with pins
l and things, run up to him and kiss
him so lovinglYl 1t brought tn tears
into my eyes then, and it has done
20 every time I've thought on it siucc.
:. II remember / was iokin' Jack, as
The went out tellln' him that hed
rave to stick to his work when he
was married, and not spend all MS
, time kissing and huggin'. t..
Don't bother yourself father
says be; 'Lucy'll see that l don't get
|, 40 more kissin' than is gool for me
e after the weddin'.'
'Tas next day-th' day atore the