Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-07-05
HIS BRAVE DEED.

with excitemont Mr.. Hilton, the owner
of half the mines and more than half the
village was to give ball in honor of his
son Carl's 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-
como selfish and tyrannical. His father
ldolized him and was blind to his faults.
AS Mr.. Hilton had been out of health for
more than year Carl had attended to
most of the business, and he had SO 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 81
lence the abuse of tholson.
1t fell to the lot of Fred Chase, one of
the 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.
~ intend to visit the mines tomorrow, 1"
said the girl in tones loud enough to be
heard by her brother. II want to descend
the new shaft.
II shall be very happy to conduct you
through the mines, but you must not de-
scend the new shaft, for it is not safe.
have warned your brother that the roof Of
the mine is in danger of falling, but he
only laughs at me, 0nd l fear some terri
BILE accident will be the result of his neg
lect"
"You are a fool, Fred Chase The shaft
is safe enough. l shall take Nina there
myself tomorrow, said Carl angrily.
81 spoke the truth. The shaft is not
safe, and unless moro timber is put in to
support the roof you will soon have proof
that l am right"
"Pooh You are a coward. l will show
you tomorrow how little faith l put in
your words"
The following morning Carl started for
the new shaft alone. Nina refused to ac-
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 few minutes he was lowered to the
bottom of the shaft. In the distance he
could see the lights Of the two miners. By
the light Of his own lantern he saw that
some of the beams were bent. All seemed
weighted to their utmost capacity and he
shuddered as in passing one large post, a
slight cracking sound was heard.
II am going on II short distance to look
at the ore You may wait for me at the
foot of the shaft, and we will all be drawn
up at once" said Carl
He strollcd on, while Fred and his COM
panion returned to the entrance. They
had barely reached it when they heard a
loud report behind, cry of fear mingled
with the noise Of falling rocks; then all
was still.
Only an instant did they stand motion
less. Then Fred graspcd the rope and gave
the signal to be hoisted to the top.
Soon the entrance to the shaft was a
scene of wild excitement The father offer
ed large rewards to any who would at
tempt the rescue of his son, but not man
would volunteer.
Fred had stood silent, with his eyes bent
on the ground, until the old man, in sheer
despair cried out:
81 will give half Of my fortune-and it
is large one-to the men who will help
me reach my boyl"
Fred came forward with look of re-
solve on his face.
"NIr. Hilton, not for your entire for
tune would enter that mine to save your
son, but for humanity's sake 1 will do my
best to rescue him."
A cheer from the miners greeted these
brave words. With n wave of his hand
Fred commanded silence, and running his
eye over the crowd said slowly:
81 must have three mon to help me.
Who will go?"
Charles Gray, Fred's chosen companion,
stepped to his side. Two moro men quick
ly followed, and they were lowered into
the shaft.
The first act Of the workers was to place
extra beams, which were lowered down
the shaft for the purpose, as near as they
could to the fallen roof, to bear any strain
that might be resting on those already
there.
At the end of three hours of cautious
digging they came to the car which Fred
and his companion had staid behind to fill,
and they stopped for few moments rest.
In half an hour they had reached an
opening caused by two large rocks which
had fallen together in such manner as
to leave space between them. In tha5
space lay Carl, with one arm doubled I'M
der him and one foot pinioned by stone.
The poor fellow was terribly bruised and
cut, but conscious.
God bless you, Fred, and your brave
companions, " said Mr.. Hilton huskily as
he grasped the young man by the hand.
From my heart thank you"
The crowd soon dispersed, and Carl was
conveyed to his home. After many weeks
of suffering he recovered, but the crushed
foot was useless-ho was a cripple for life
AS soon as he was able to do so Carl semi
for Fred.
Forgive me, Fred" he said frankly.
IT was wrong, but my punishment has
been great"
About a 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 one Of the
owners of the mine.-London Spare No
mentS.
One of the 600 an international Rogue.
In the rogues gallery Of the secret serv-
To- 4