The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-02-14
FOOT OF THE SHAFT.

I was paying a visit to one or the
largest coal-mining districts In the
kingdom.
AS the friend with whom was
staying was engaged at business dur
ing the day, l was thrown on my
own resources until the evening. One
afternoon I was walking in the fields
outside the town, smoking a cigar,
and Illuminating about things in gen.
eral, and the gloomy appearance OF
the whole district in particular
I leaned against wooden fence,
and looked about Inc. On every side
the chimneyS, giant scatfoldlngs, and
mighty wheels showed the where
abouts of the pit shafts The grass
was dull, dirty, grayish green, the
air was thick and smoke laden.
There were a number Of jerry-bullt
brick houses-small, mean-looklng,
and griny.
l was startled from my reverie by
the sound Of grutf voice, saying,
Eth, mister, have you got match?'
Hooked around and saw an old col
lier standing by me, pressing down
the tobacco in a dirty clay pipe, with
an equally dirty finger:
He seemed to be man OF about
sixty years Of age, With hair fasS
turning white, and a weary, toll
stained, careworn face. HIS clothes
were covered with coal dust, aud he
carried in his left hand a basin
wrapped in a handkerchief, which
had evidently contained his dinner.
1 handed him my match box, and
he lighted his pipe in silence, and
commenced to puff it contentedly.
Presently he asked, abruptly
stranger 'ere, sir?"
swell, yes" ! replied. 81 am STAY
ing in the neighborhood for a week
or two. You are a native, l sup
pose," I added.
"Ay," he answered. II was born
close BY, and I've worked i tn pts
since I was babby, most"
dangerous work it must be some
times" said.
Gay, you're right It is dangerous
work. Th' most risky all occupation,
and one of tn hardest worked and
worst paid. I've 'ad one or two mar
rer escapes myself, and one or two
creepy experiences. There's one Of
them will live in my memory as long
as l can remember anything.
"Poor Jack Wood! It's sad
little tale. sir, as sad as any I ever
read in book, but it's true, every
word Of it.
sYou see Jack was lad that I'd
known ever since he was a nipper,
and when he grew to he man, and
came to work in tn old pit, we was
neighborS; and he used to call around
at night, and smoke a pipe with me-
"At first, I thought it was my
company as he came for, but soon I
found that he was taken with my
lass Lucy; and she seemed to like
him. He was a fine, straightforward,
steady young chap, and Lucy-though
I say twas pretty and as good a
lass as you'd see anywhere; so tn old
woman and me was pleased to find
them two taking to one another.
'tFor couple Of years or so they
went on courtin', walking out to-
eether, and readln' to each other,
and quarrelin' and maxim it up
again. as young folks will, till one
night Jack ups and says, Father,
Pm wantin' to be married to Lucy
next month. Are you willin',"
"Nell.' saws ], winkin' at tn old
woman, and lookin' at Lucy, who
was hidin' her blushin' face in her
apron, well what does Lucy say?"
and Lucy didn't say nothin'-she
lust ran to me and threw her arms
round my neck, and buried her head
on my shoulder and laughed and cried
altogether.
HLucy's willin',' said l, with an
other solemn wink at tn OLD woman,
and so are we. Goi bless ye BOTH!
Jack seized hold Of my hand and
shook it like a pump-handle, and
Lucy gave me very sweet and lovin'
| kiss; and then she gave tb' old wo-
man one; and then she went to Jack,
blushin' more than ever, and he got
one ditto, of extra strength. All! we
was all very happy that night.
well, tn time soon passed, until
th' day grew near as they'd fixed for
| the weddin'. Jack had picked out s
little house, near US, for them to live
in, and he and Lucy had looked after
the furnishin' and beautifyin' of it.
Two days before tn weddin',
| when I went home at night I found
| the whole place in an upset. Th'
misses and Lucy was busy, trYin' on
tn marryin' dress and hadn't given
20 thought to gettin' my tea ready.
| However, tn kettle was always nearly
hnilln' on tn hob, so it didn't take
iu.lg to make me a pot.
BY AID by, in comes Jack, and it
was pretty to see Lucy, in her new
white frock. stuck all over with pins
and things, run up to him and kiss
| him so lovingly! It brought tn tears
into my eyes then, and it has done
90 every time I've thought on it since.
u remember l was jokin' Jack, as
he went out tellin' him that he'd
have to stick to his work when he
was married, and not spend all his
time kissing and huggin'.
" Don't" bother yourself, father, ,
SAYS he: 'Lucy'll see that I don't get
10 more kissin' than is good Tor me
after the weddin'.'
THE next daY-th' day afore the
! Neddin'-I went down tn pit as
usual All tn day worked hard
pick! Dick. pick! It's not th' pleas