The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-09-18

IL was timely warning t0r que,
without it, in the darkness Of the
dismal place she had entered, she
might have plunged headlong into the
pit that yawned almost under her feet
As il was shc checked herself Just in
tine to keep from falling. She held
on by one of the bushes and leaned
over the opening. She could SEQ
nothing but darkness.
"It's here" Reuben declared, COM
ing to the edge of the clump. 81 re-
member now, David. The chimney's
here, an not over yon where you
would have it,"
"For goodness sake, don't argue
any more about the chimneyp Sue
cried impatiently. "Wbat difference
does it make2 Maggie and Polly are
down in this hole, whether it's the
chimney or not. Now, how are we
going to get them outP That's the
question.
"No such haste, lass" said old Reu.
ben, solemnly. 'Its the chimney,
sure enough, they've fell into, an
theirs no way to get em from the bot.
tom o that but by diggin'. Rescue
parties must be brought from the
mines, An then doubt if we can get
to them in time, poor thingsl"
"Nonsense, Mr.. Jessupl"
The words came with startling force
and clearness from somewhere in the
chimney, and they seemed not to come
from the bottom of it, The voice was
Maggie's, and it was strong and in
good condition.
"Just bring the ladder from our
house, that's all you need" Maggie
went on. "The timbers and planks
have fallen in and lodged crosswise, so
as to make O sort of platform down
here. We're so far down thst we can't
climb out without help, that's all.
Neither of us is hurt q bit. Hurry
with the ladder, please, for we don't
find it pleasant here !"
eff the ladder will serve. then we'll
waste no time with ladders"
This was slew croaking old Reuben.
He seemed to have grown young and
active within the minute.
clay yourself down just there,
David" he commanded. "Put one
arm about the end o. that timber for
steadiness, an hold hold fast to me
with the other hand. So, recollect
now the lay O. these timbers after
they fell down the chimney. An you,
lass" to Sue, "you stand by to take
the baby from my hand when I lift
her up there"
Holding fast by the hand of his old
friend, the miner went slowly down
into the darkness of the pit. A mis-
step as he put his foot now on one and
then on another of the fallen timbers,
would have meant grave disaster to all
of them; but there was no misstep.
And there was no loosening of the
withered hand that held him. For
the rescue of the two imperiled chill
dren. the two old men were strong
again with the strength of their
prime. They knew, as Maggie never
knew, what peril there was in every
moment on that rickety platform OF
rotton wood.
Happily, as Maggie had said, the
platform was not for down. In few
minutes old Reuben climbed a little
way up again, and delivered little
Polly into the outstretched hands of
waiting Sue. Next he leaned far
down and caught the upreaching arms
of Maggie. He pulled her up to the
timber he stood upon, and from there
she nimblY made her way to safety
without further help.
Not too soon. Younger hands were
needed now for what had to be done.
David's old hand was trembling pitt
fully, and Reuben's weight was heavier
upon it than it had been. Maggie and
Sue caught the hand of Reuben and
pulled with all their strength. Very
slowly, and with feet that had lost all
the firm confidence they 80 recently
had, the old man came again to the
top of the chimney.
"They say we're no moro fit for
work, David" he chuckled, feebly,
as he sunk down upon the ground to
rest.
''It took but little time to prove
that q mistake" David remarked, as
he sat down beside him.
And the children sat with them aud
held their hands until the old men
were able to totter home. -Philadel.
phia Times.