Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-02-06
Jack said afterwards that when Whit

Jack said afterwards that when Whit
ford's girl lznelt down by his side, and
| in the somber stiffness of that deserted
mine, prayed for their rescue, he felt as
if he was Cumming with a blessed
angel; who might spread her wings an
fly at any moment"
''Does anyone know that you were
coming down here, Mr.. Wilders?" the
girl asked, presently.
'"Nary blamed SOUL" was the dole.
ful response, ''but tramp, who was
starting off for Ishpeming just before ]
come here"
Elsie's courage failed at this.
There was just the bare hope that a
book she had been reading and had
flung on the ground at the mouth OF
the mine before her hurried descent
might be found by her friends. who,
alarmed at her absence, would be sure
to search a spot she was SO well known
to frequent, and might suggest to them
the idea that she had fallen down the
shaft, which would induce them to
make an exploration which might lead
to their rescue. Beyond this frail
chance she had not hope.
Hank!
Surely there was a noise-a low
whine, as though from some animal.
Wilders half-raised his head, listened
acutely, and said:
ssThe dog. BY the Lord, that's Mel
son.
The idea to Elsie seemed preposter-
Gus. as how could any four-footed ami
mai reach that Dire adful depth?
THE Indians" Jack whispered. for
his strength was fast failing, worked
this mine years ago-always thought
long natural passage out to the foot
of the hill"
Selling the lantern the girl started
for the spot whence the sound came;
but her progress was barred by a
stream OF water whose depth or width
she knew not. Saturating her hand
kerchief in the precious fluid, she made
her way back to Wilders, whose brow
she laved with infinite tenderness.
Then again that whine and the sound
of something scratching the earth
away. How eagerly she listened.
Nelson! Nclson. Her tremulous
cry reechoed through the caverns.
A splash in the water, and the dog
for dog it was-came swimming to-
wards her, and in minute was stand
ing beside her, shaking the drops from
his long coat.
The Intelligent creature seemed to
understand it all a glance. Licking
his masters hand and wl1impering, he
first paid his tribute to the sufferer,
then came and gazed with sympathetic
brown eyes into Elsie's, saying as plain
as looks could speak: Il am ready to
help you-wl1at shall I do?"
She took the dogs head tendcrly on
her lap and kissed the honest face, then
drawing from her pocket an old envel.
ope she hastily scrubbed in pencil:
For Gods sake help. Rescue US quickly.
Jack W-ilders lies badly hurt in the third gal
lery OF the old New York mine.
ELSIE WuITFORD."
Wrapping this in her handkerchief
she tied it around the dogs neck.
Now. you dear, noble fellow, home!
home! home! 1 say" while she pointed
toward the way he had come.
But Nelson had other views; for
time her voice and gestures only served
to make him wag his tail and cringe
around her, but at last, when she had
despaired of making him understand,
flash of intelligence leaped TO his eyes
and he dashed off across the pool into
the darkness.
An hour of dull expectancy, and then
the girls heart leaped with joy, for
right over her head voices were heard,