The Monitor-register. [volume] (Woodstown, Salem Co., N.J.) 1892-1972, 1896-11-13
BECAME FAST FRIENDS.

oh"n nou tuo VHidkos WED W BNo O0AA
in honor of his son CARTS twenty 6rst
birthday, and also TO celebrate the return
OF his only daughter from an English
school, to which she had been sent when
but ten years old.
Carl Hilton was an only son, and
because of his parents' indulgence had
become selfish and tyraunical. His
father idolized him, and was blind to his
faulta. He was to become a partner 10
the mines on attaining bis majority. Al
MIR. Hilton had been out OF health for
more than year, Carl had attended to
mast of the business, and he had 30
tyrannized over the miners that they one
and all hated him; but they loved and
respected his father. and for his sake
bore in silence the abuse of the son.
To this birthday ball all the miners and
their families had been invited, and the
rumors of the great beauty of Nina Hill.
ton only added to the excitement aud
anticipation.
hpp NOhiy tbo ny
description If the affair, as no event OF
interest occurred until. dinner. was an
nonnced. 1t fell to the lot of Fred
Chase, one of she foremen 10 the mine,
to escort the beautiful Nina, and sc
deeply did they become engaged in con.
versation that it was some minutes before
he noticed that Carl sat directly opposite
and was Watching them closely. With
an effort the young man CONCEALED bis
annoyance and continued his attentions tc
Nina.
Il intend to visit the miues to- morrow, y
said the girl. in tones loud enough to abe
heard by ber brother, II want to descend
the new4shsft. = -. -. Sss.s S.
+ II shall be happy to conduct you
through the; mines, bat you must not
descend the new shaft, for it; Ia. not safe
have warned your brotheE that the roof
of The mine is in danger of falling, and be
only laughs at me, and | fear some
terrible accident will be the result of bis
EupegIeot, :" :+
You are fool, Fred. Chase! The
shaft is safe enough; If you talk like, this
the men will all be afraid Of it aud refuse
|toswork. Ishsas assks Nina there myself
to:uorrow," said Carl. angrily. r
The young man's faoe flushed, but he
cootroalsd himself and ans wered coldlyi
II spoke the truth, the shaft Is not
safe. and unless more tim Der is put in to
support the roof you will soon have proof
that am right. Ioply hope that no live.
VIII Be lost .a +
Pooh! You are coward. will
show you to-morrow how little faith he
put in yout words.'' 81. 4;.
The eyes of all present were drawn to
the two by Carl's excited tore. q and
Ffed's reply was plainly heard.
| 9Cali ms a coward If you will, &but
time will prove the truth of my asser ton
Neglect for twenty four hours to order
more timber placed in the new shaft for
support OF tts roof and yuu alone will be
responsible for what follows"
Carl did NOT answer, but glared angrily
at Fred, who, after moments pause
turned to Nina again and changed the
,sahisst Of cehyersatiop.
fPhs.folaowing morning Carl started for
the new shaft alene. Nina refused to
taocnmpAny. him. and begged him to delay
bis sisisSpnti sthssseof.i~as mades secure:
Nonsense, sir! r is safe enough.
ThattooL, Fred Chase. v anted toimpress
yon"
Carl believed what he said. He has
not visited the shaft for several weeks,
and had not, seem the. tim ers bend
beneath the weight of earth above them.
He reached the shaft jaatss half dozen
miners came from il, sod in auswer to
his Inquiries Was told that Fred Chase
and smother man had remained behind to
flash filing the last car with ore.
4 am going down. be said, and in a
few MINUTES was lowered to the bottom
of the shaft. In the dlstasaa he could
sec the lights of the 5two miners, He
advanced toward them. By the light OF
bis own lantern he saw That some Of the
beams were bent; all seemed weighted TO
their utmost capacity, aud he could not
but own to himself that Fred Chase " az
right he involuntarily shaddefed as, in
passing one large post, slight cracking
sonnd was head; bot it was not repeated,
and he vent on, determined to again
make light IF the matter. ,.,....,..5,.s.sss. !
you see l am not afraid Of your
shaft, "'te said, sneeringly, as he reached
the spot where the two men we're stard-
Ing with the now loaded car beside them.
"Only towards need boast of theif
bravery" said Fred, sternly.
Il am going on short distance to look
at the ore; you may wait for me at the
foot of the sha It and We will all be drawn
mp at onee," continued Carl.
He strolled on, while Fred and his
companion retarned, as directed, to the
entrance. They had barely reached ii
when they heard loud report behind
them;a cry of fear mingled with the
noiss of falling rocks. then all was still.
With paid faces the men locked at
each other. f1r each knew what had hap
pehed The roof had fallen, and Carl
!, y ileon as either crushed beueath the
ROCKS or imprisoned in the opening be
You'd.
ouly al Instant did they stand motion
lest; then Fred grasped the rope and gave
the signal to be hoisted to the top.
They told their sad story, and a mes
senger was despatched TO Mr. Bilton's
residence. Soon the entrance to the shaft
was a scene OF wild excitement. The
stricken relatives of the buried man had
reached the spot As soon as possible The
father offered large rev ards to apy who
would attempt the rescue of his son: but
not man would volunteer, for the
mile's knew 1t was risking their lives to
approach the spot where the roof had
fallen. az the jar must have severely tried
the adjoining beams, and at any moment
more of the roof is likely to fall.
Mr. Hilton doubled and trebied his
reward, but to no avail; to his entreaties
we're added the frantic pleading of the
mother xn1 N,aa1s