Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-22

The peg lay on the wheat n few feet
from the bottom of the ladder. Matt
had often had occasion to cross the
wheat in the bin. and so he waded out
without any hesitation, his feet sink
ing in a few inches Mt every step.
Already the air was full of dust caus-
ed by the agitation of the wheat in the
chute below. and Matt choked as he
stopped TO pick up the peg. Just as
he turned. one of his feet sunk down
suddenly as is something deep in the
bin had seized il. The next instant the
whole center of the wheat in the bin
sunk suddenly. and Matt found himself
slipping slowly downward. With n
startled cry he tried TO reach the lad
der But the wheat below him was
like quickSand. The harder he strug-
gled the more the wheat shelved off
and slipped under his feet. and the
more ii seemed 10 him that an awful
something deep in the bin had fastened
to his feet and was dragging him down.
The consciousness of having disobeyed
his uncle lent terror 10 the situation.
and the dust was becoming more and
more choking. In that moment Matt re-
called stories he had heard of men who
had been suffOcated in elevators, and
he grew suddenly hopeless.
He had sunk almost 10 his waist
when Laura appeared in answer to
his repeated calls.
Help he cOughed.
Laura peered for moment into the
dark bin and then she seemed trans
fixed with terror.
Run for help" cried Matt.
Without word Laura disappeared,
flying down the tramway with flying
hair.
Reaching the office she suddenly real
lied that Matt might sink and be killed
before she could get the men from the
boat up the hill
What shall l do" and she wrung
her hands.
Her eye fell upon an empty barrel
in the corner of the office. The next
moment she was spinning it along the
tramway to the elevator.
Here, Matt. Matt" she called.
The boy, who was now waist-deep In
the wheat and had almost given up the
struggle, hardly looked up. But when
the barrel came humping against him
he seemed to recover.
Hold ON till 1 come back" cried
Laura.
Then she sped along the tramway
l.:rr
choking voice she told the captain Of
her trouble. There was no way of shut
ting off the sucking of the wheat
through the chute below. but a half
dozen men with ropes and poles were
soon speeding up the hill. Laura led
them to the bin, but when she peered
down she cried out in despair. Only
the top of the barrel was visible in the
sinking wheat.
There. there. child: don't be fright
ened yet" said the captain.
In a moment two men with ropes
around under their arms were wading
in the wheat. while two others had sue
ceeded in closing the chute. This pre-
vented further sinking of the wheat,
but the dust was still suffocating
With poles and shovels they pried
up the barrel, and when they lifted it
out they found that it covered Mats
head and shoulders. But Matt was
unconscious
"If it hadn't been for the barrel he'd
have died." said the captain.
At last they lifted him out and he
opened his eyes just as Uncle Burritt
came into the office.
When Uncle Burritt heard the story
he did not say word to Matt, but he
turned and laid his hand on Laura's
head. Laura was still fearful
MY brave, obedient girl" he said.