Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-06-20
HIS BRAVE DEED.

village, was to give ball in honor of his
son Carls twenty first birthday, and also
to celebrate the return Of his only daugh-
ter from the English school to which she
had been sent when but 10 years old.
Carl Hilton was an only son, and be-
cause Of his parents indulgence had be-
come selfish and tyrannical His father
idolized him and was blind to his faults.
AS Mr.. Hilton had been out of health for
more than 2 year Carl had attended to
most Of the business and he had 50 tyran-
niZed over the miners that they one and
all hated him, but they loved and respect
ed his father, and for his sake bore in ST.
lence the abuse Of the son.
1t fell to the lot Of Fred Chase, ono of
tho foremen in the mine, to escort the
beautiful Nina to dinner, and so deeply did
they become engaged in conversation that
it was some minutes before Fred noticed
that Carl sat directly opposite and was
watching them closely.
81 intend to visit the mines tomorrow, -
said the girl in tones loud enough to be
heard by her brother. Il want to descend
the new shaft. :"
81 shall be very happy to conduct you
through the mines, but you must not de-
scend tho new shaft, for it is not safe. l
have warned your brother that the roof Of
the mine is In danger Of falling, but he
only laughs at me, and l fear some terri
bio accident will be the result of his neg
lect"
you arc fool, Fred Chase The shaft
is safe enough. l shall take Nina there
myself tomorrow, said Carl angrily.
81 spoke tho truth The shaft is not
safe, and unless more timber is put in to
support the roof you will soon have proof
that l am right"
"Pooh! You are u coward. | will show
you tomorrow how little faith / put in
your words.
Tho following morning Carl started for
the now shaft alone. Nina refused to nc
company him and begged him to delay his
visit until the roof was made secure.
Carl reached the shaft just as half a
dozen miners came from it, and in answer
to his inquiries was told that Fred Chase
and another man had remained behind to
finish filling the last car with ore.
In "a few minutes no was lowered to the
bottom of ths shaft. In the distance he
could see tho lights of the two miners. BY
tho light of his own lantern he saw that
some of tho beams were bent. All seemed
weighted to their utmost capacity, and he
shuddered as, in passing ono large post, u
slight cracking sound was heard.
81 am going on u short distance to look
at the ore. You may wait for me at tho
foot of the shaft, and We will all be drawn
up Mt once" said Carl.
Ho strollcd on, whilo Fred and his COM
panion returned to tho entrance. They
had barely reached it when they heard
loud report liehnd, a cry Of fear mingled
with the noise of falling rocks; then all
was still.
Only an instant did they stand motion
less. Then Fred grasped the rope and gave
tho signal to be hoisted to the top.
Soon the entrance to the shaft was q
scene of wild excitement. The father offer
cd large rewards to any who would Mt
tempt tho rescue of his son, but not II man
would volunteer.
Fred had stood silent, with his eyes bent
on tho ground, until the old man, in sheer
despair, cried out:
81 will give half of my fortune-and it
Is large one-to tho men who will help
mo reach my boy!'
Fred camo forward with u look of re-
solve on his face.
"Mr. Hilton, not for your entire for.
tuno would enter that minc to save your
son, but for humanity's sake L will do my
best to rescue him.
A cheer from the miners greeted these
bravo words. With u wave of his hand
Fred commanded silence, and running his
eye over the crowd said slowly:
II must have three men to help me.
Who will go?"
Charles Gray, Frcd's chosen companion,
stepped to his side. Two moro men quick
ly followed, and they wero lowered into
tho shaft.
Tho first act of the workers was to place
extra beams, which wero lowered down
tho shaft for the purpose, rs near as they
could to the fallen roof to bear any strain
that might DO resting on those already
there.
AT tho end of three hours of cautious
digging they came to the Car which Fred
and his companion had staid behind to ill,
and they stopped for u few moments rest.
In half an hour they had reached an
opening caused by two largo rocks which
had fallen together in such n manner rs
to leave n space between them. In that
space lay Carl, with ono arm doubled un-
dor him and ono foot pinioncd by stone.
Tho poor fellow was terribly bruised and
cut, but conscious.
Suu plcSS YOU, EFcu, anu Sour Draw
companions, said Mr.. Hilton hushily as
no graspcd tho young man by tho hand.
"From my heart thank you.
Tho crowd soon dispersed, and Carl was
conveyed to his home. After many weeks
of suffering he recovered, but tho crushed
foot was useless-he was cripple for life
As soon as he was able to do SO Carl sent
for Fred.
Forgive mo, Fred, no said frankly.
II was wrong, but my punishment has
been great.
About year afterward Mr.. Hilton be-
slowed his daughter hand upon the Young
man who had saved his sons life, and on
his wedding day Fred became ono of the
owners Of tho minc.-London Spare Mo
ments
One of tho 600 an International Rogue.
In tho rogucs' gallery Of the secret serv
ice bureau of tho treasury department is
the card photograph Of once famous
countcrfeiter who was arrested by the
treasury agents and made to serve u long
t., Ia l.,