Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-04-11

word; the signal WAS given, and they
went up toward the light aud air
above.
From those about the pits mouth
ringing cheer arose sthe cage
reached the surface. They knew thar
so many. at least, OF their mates We're
safe, and some of the women Went
away with hearts fun of joy and
thankfulness. The word went round
that Steve Armstrong had sent up
win eBnson instead of himself.
Pretty Jessie MeDavitt was there,
When she heard the whisper she uIi.
derstOod A woman's instinct is much
the same. after all. whether she he a
princess or only a rough miners lass.
Benson came toward her but she
seemed hardly to notice him. She MAS
waiting for scme one else.
The cage was let down again Some
anxious minutes followed. that seemed
like hours. Once more il appeared
with lis load of men. Jessie pressed
eagerly forward. Great heavens. lie
whom she sought was not therei Sew
eral voices asked after him Jessie
dared not trust herself to do sa--;tnd
then came the appalling answer:
.Choke-damp hi taken him, and bit
wall fallen over him.
He gave his life for one o We.
Aren't We men: Are non o. ye goin' To
save un: Then will"'
She pressed forward toward the pit.
but Il dozen strong arms restrained
her. and one old fellow said:
keep back. lass! It'll be death to
90 down there for nigh an hour yet.
This he no place for women fowk.'
She needed moi and, breaking away
from them. entered the cage Two or
three men followed her. ashamed To
think that girl should he Drawer than
they: and down they went. from the
light into darkness; down among the
noxious. deadly gases down to the I'M
known.
A long. long time now elapsed. or 50
ii seemed 10 the anxious watchers
Two or three cages full of miners came
up. but they We're not among them.
Great heavens, was Il possible that all
had persisted in that heroic attempt
The news that Jessie had gone down
below reached her mother: aud Mrs
MacDayitt- with her sleeves tucked
up. fresh from the washtub. her
cheeks pale as death. her eyes stream
ing-rushed wildly TO the spot.
Even at that very moment the cage
was coming up again. A deafening
cheer rang out. loud and long. upon
the mhrky air. 1t was they they. at
last; thank Godi But were they alive?
Two inanimate forms were laid down
upon the black. dusty bank-the forms
of Jessie MacDayitt and Steve Arm
strong.
Jessie MacDayitt sat alone at work
in the front parlor of her mothers cot
tage. She was quite well again. now.
but her recovery from the effects of
her adventure In the mine had been
slow and painful.
There was a knock at the door.
Come i'm In sweet CHEEKY tones. &c
was Steven Armstrong who entered
the apartment. She looked up. sur
prised. and colored up to her very
brow as she rose to greet him. She.
had not seen him since that fearful
day: perhaps this was the reason OF
her confusion. He didn't wear his
working. nor yet his s'shiftin :
clothes. but was habited in tweed
suit and wide-awake. How brave and
noble he looked albeit a trifie pale
now.
MFR. Armstrong; she said, Il am so
glad 10 see you fettle again. I haven't
seen you since
Not since then-no: 1t wur churlish
o me not to COON an thank thee
only-only there be nae thanks posi-
bic for sic things as that. oh. Jessie.
why didst do 1t? why didst risk tina
/ lifel''
Because You gave your chance o.
life to him." she answered. simply: but
/ with an unsteady tremor In her voice.
! Now | ha' COON TO bid thee good
bye, Armstrong said. like a man who
has an unpleasant duty to perform.
and wants to get over i quickly ~.
be goin' away
Coin away she echoed. "wheer
tor
Rect away-for iyer. TO America
or Australya' hardly know wheer
yet. A be tired o. life here. But n.
member. IL there be liver onything [
con do for thee, a wulI Tina slaI
know wheer / go 10. an If tina should
! iyYef want a friend or helpin hend.
all cGom TO thee. IL L were half across
T. world. If a. han't siad mooch re-
member n now that a. can niyvef
hipe TO pay my debt to thee
''Oh. dnnnOt talk about that; please,
duHnot talk about It'll hadn't an
idea YOU were thinkin' o. goin away
it's-ye'ye took me so sudden like :
| dunnot know what to Say
Say. Jess. ma lass! Just say good
bye and God bless thee. Steve Arm.
strong, or some sic words as all be
able to TAX wi me, an cherish l. mem.
DRY o. thee when a. be far away"