Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-06-07

Williams. John, put on your coat. Mary
Ellen, wrap the baby up warmly and stop
crying"
Grandma Williams had her way. The
baby went down the deep shaft, and in the
low, black gangway breathed the gaseous
mine air, day after day, and grew strong
and lusty again. 1t was on one of these
visits that the baby and Jerry made each
others acquaintance. On the day they
first met, Jerry stood near the bottom Of
the shaft.
The baby's father had put the baby, who
was growing heavy, down on the track and
was talking to some miners. The baby
seeing light few yards away-it was on
Jerry's head-went toward it and found
Jerry. He was half doing when rudely
awakened by something grasping one Of
his forelegs. A vicious CLEAN shone from
his eyes, and his ears were laid fiat along
his head as he prepared to repulse the dar-
Ing person who was taking such liberty
with him. Then he looked down and saw
a little, laughing, rosy face grasping tight
ly round his muscular leg. The next min
ute, when the miners and the baby's IA
ther turned, and with G&ry of horror saw
| the light of the vicious mules lamp shin
ing on the baby's head, Jerry's ears were
| pointed downward and he was whinnying
softly.
The men sprang forward, one snatched
the baby back, another drove the mule
back, but the baby began to cry and
stretch out her tiny hands toward Jerry,
while he, still whinnying, gazed at her
with such look of intelligent curiosity
that his driver said II don't believe that
brute 'ud hurt her, and a moment later
that baby, in her fathers arms was strok-
ing Jerry's SCARED and rough head, while
row Of miners stood at the animals side,
ready to drive him back with blows and
| kicks if he attempted to bite. But Jerry
was as quiet and gentle as the baby herself.
Ever after that day they were firm
friends. Every time the baby came down
to the mine visit she insisted on making
every week or two, she would see Jerry
and stroke and play with him, and give
him sugar and apples to eat, until it was
said among the miners that she came
down expressly to see Jerry, and so, before
long, she became known as Jerry's baby.
Jerrys driver had henceforth an easy
task. The mule which was formerly so
vicious and stubborn was now tho most
gentle and docile in the mine, and he was
always pointed out to the visitors as "the
mule that was tanned by John Williams
baby"
The baby had been away for three weeks
on visit. On the day of her return home
she said, "Papa, take baby down mine;
baby wants to see jerry" and Mr.. Will
liams obeyed.
AS the inside foreman told the footman,
the visit was to be made when the shifts
changed; consequently when the baby and
her father reached the foot Of the shaft the
day men had finished their work and the
mules were In their stables, but the stable
boss considered 1t no trouble to bring Jerry
out to where the baby was sitting In the
middle Of the track upon an armful Of
straw, brought for her by one of the driver
boys.
After the three weeks separation the
greeting between Jerry and the baby was
most affectionate The baby clapped her
hands and rubbed her soft white cheek
against Jerry's rough nose, while he whin-
MED to express his delight. JeEy had be-
come so gentle that Mr. Williams and the
stable boys had complete trust in him, and
knew that he would not harm a hair of
the baby's head, so after Watching them
minute or two, and hanging lamp on
timber near the pair, they walked few
yards up side gangway to inspect some
brattice work.
The baby had couple Of apples which
she gave to Jerry, laughing at his efforts
to take each piece with his lips, SO as not
to endanger the tiny hand by his teeth.
Suddenly Jerry lifted his head. A dull
boom, a sound long drawn out echoed
along the gangway. 1t was followed al
most immediately by rush of cir. which