The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-11-09

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died away, he had set the big engines in
motion and the first load of men We're on
their way to the surface. Only few mo-
ments elapsed before the top man could see
the lights on the heads of the miners who
rode the bumper, coming nearer and
nearer still, with each revolution of the
huge drum until at last amid loud shouts
and cheers for brave Jim Travers, they
were safely landed on top.
The last of the ten men had hardly got
out of car when the signal sounded again,
and at the same instant Jim reversed his
engines and the second load had left the
bottom and, like the one before it, reached
the top in safety.
"My God! muttered Jim, the place is be-
coming unbearable and only two loads up
yet" And then he made up his mind in an
instant, to see the last man hoisted, he
cried out at the top Of his voice, ''direct
your streams this way boys, its getting hot,
and there's i've loads at the bottom yet"
Then reversing his engines again with the
sound Of the bell, the third load OF human
freight began to ascend the Slope, and at
the same time pieces of charred wood from
the roof and other parts Of the building
began to fall all about him, which caused a
cold chill to creep up the spectators spine,
for they knew from the oily nature of his
surroundings, that the fire until now was
confined to the outside, would soon compel
their hero to abandon his post in order to
save his life. But Jim wash made OF that
MATERIAL so he stayed right there until we
seen his oil soaked clothing take fire
Then, those handling the hose were ordered
to direct the steam just above his head in
such a manner as to leave the water fall on
and about him like a shower bath. In this
way Jim was thoroughly drenched and
though he was painfully burned, he was at
his post, and anXiously awaiting the signal
to hoist for the last time, when bark it
came, and with it came a cry OF despair for
those standing around. The drums caught
the drums on fire; was heard on every side,
and loud above the rest the voice of Jim
Travers rang out clear and strong, for
Gods sake play your hose on the drum,
and don't mind me- My what confagra-
ton scene it would make in drama.
The old engine house, both exterior and
interior, with all its machinery one solid
mass of flame, and the hero at the lever
praying to God to give him strength to
land the last load safely. And well for the
poor fellows who made up that last load,
that they were ignorant OF the terrible
doom that momentarialy threatened them.
But see; listen; the last load is up, and in
their wild JOY the crowd had forgotten jim.
My heavens! why does he remain there
now?
Through force of habit he waited to
secure the brake. 1t was but the work OF
a moment, but it nearly cost him his life
This done, he tuIns and runs toward the
nearest door, where he falls senseless at
the feet of those waiting to receive him.
He is tenderly raised and borne quickly
away, and not a moment too soon, for with
deafening crash the entire building col
lapsed setting fire to the slope, and damag-
ing it to such an extent that it was nearly
two years before coal was hoisted from it
again. But there was not life lost, thanks
to brave Jim TraveIs who was himself the
only one injured. Here, he's coming
toward us now so I'll say no more about it,
for like the true hero he is, he does not
bore one with the story OF his daring ad
venture.
Good morning, jim; been kept pretty
busy since we came in?' eyes, little
that way, Tom; hain't you workings
"Well, no, not to-day; going down now
for my tools. Pm about to try a place
over in No. o. This is a gentleman met
on the miners this morning. He's from
the city and would like you to enliehten
him little on this winding machine OF
yours" 'Why certainly, sir, I'll be
pleased to do so. 'Thank you, Mr..
Travers, very much. 80, forgot, Jim, our
friends name is Mr. Ashton, MIR. Ashton,
Mr.. T:aveIs. After a hearty shake of the
stranger s hand Jim invites him to step up
closer to the engines and he will explain
them. care you machinist, Mr.. AshtoH ?"
askes jim. mo; Pm entirely unfamiliar
with machinery of any kind, hence my
anxiety to learn"
Very well, sir. These are what we call
a pair of first motion engines. The cyin-
ders are 80 inches in diameter with i foot
stroke, and as you see jacketed in the usual
way. The valves are balanced by ring
inserted in the back of each, and working
steam-tight against the covers. The bed
plates are OF the Corfiss type and very rigid
The main shaft is 16 inches in diameter
The cranks are of the disk pattern, with
the crank pins set at right angles to each
other as is usual in this class of engines.
The link motion, you see, is of the usual
locomotive pattern, and is operated by a
hand and steam reverse-that is, it can he
worked by hand alone or by steam, as de-
sired, and can be regulated by the engineer
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