The free press., 1895-10-03

OF rock were shot up from the mouth
OF the shaft full fifty feet in the air.
1t was all very impressive, and gave
me lesson in the tremendous power
OF dynamite. l was much pleased,
and felt as if were learning.
"Following the explosion, Classy
and L again repaired to the bottom of
the shaft, and after clearing away the
the debris and sending it up and out
by the bucket, we completed another
hole, and were ready for another shot.
This was about noon.
''It was at this point that the mis-
creant, Classy, begun to put into ac-
ton q plot he had formed against
me; and to carry out which the muir
derer, Jim, lent ready aid. You
must remember that 1 had perfect
confidence in these two villains. The
story now begins to thicken.
"I never seed no tenderfoot git
along like you do at this business,
said Thompson to me. This was flat
terry. The criminal, Classy, was fat
tening me for sacrifice.
Looks like you was born to be
MINER he went on. Now, I'm goin'
to let you fire the next shot. Usual,
I wouldn't feel testified in allowin'
tenderfoot to fire shot for plumb
three months. But you has a genius
for mining; it comes as easy to you
as robbin' birds nest I'd be doin'
wrong to hold you back.
"Of course, felt naturally pleased.
To be allowed to fire dynamite shot
on my first visit in shaft felt and
knew to be an honor. I determined
to write home to my friends of this
triumph.
"Gassy said he'd put in the shot,
and he selected one of giant size. l
saw the herculean explosive placed in
the hole; then he attached the fuse
and thumbed the clay about it as be-
fore. He gave me few last words.
"'After I gets up. he said, 'an me
an Jim's all ready, you climb into
the bucket and light the fuse. Then
raise the long yell to me an Jim. an
we'll yank we out. But be shore an
light the fuse. Thar's nuthin more
discouragin' than for to wait half an
hour outside an no cartridge goin' off.
Especial when it goes off after you
goes back to see what's the matter
with her. SO, be shore an light the
fuse, an then me an Jim II run you
up the second follerin'. This oughter
be great day for you, young man,
frin' shot this away the first six
hours you're miner.
Jim and Classy were at the wind
lasss and yelled:
All ready below?'
"I was in the bucket, and at the
word scratched match and lit the
fuse. 1t sputtered with alarming
ardor and threw off shower OF
sparks.
"'Hoist away 1 called.
strUbo ,,;lIo;p, rop mo nm obout ION
feet and came to dead halt. AT this
crisis they seemed to get into an al
tercation. They both abandoned the
wlndlass, and could hear them ours
ing and threatening and shooting;
presumably at each other.
"Ill have your heart out, l heard
Classy say.
"My alarm was without a limit. I'd
seen one shot go off Here L was
swinging some ten feet over a still
heavier charge, and about to be blown
into eternity. Meanwhile the caitlff',
on whom my life depended, had
abandoned me to settle some accursed
feud of their own.
81 cannot tell you of my agony.
The fuse was splitting fire like forty
fiends; the narrow shaft was choked
with smoke. swung there helpless,
awaiting death, while the two rascals,
Classy and Jim, were trying to kill
each other above. Either from the
smoke or the excitement l tainted.
"When / came to myself | was out
side the shaft, safe and sound, while
Classy and his disreputable assistant
were laughing at their joke. There