The San Francisco call., 1896-07-05

an opening in the shed wall, where a
board had been broken out, talking to
some one inside. At least that's what he
told his mother aud sister on his return to
the house.
Il don't believe donkey can talk" said
Elsie. "You can't fool me-"
"Shl' said Mrs. Ellis, ''let Willy go on"
ou needn't believe me if you don't
want to, said Willy, the color rising to
his cheeks; but / guess ought to know.
Wasn't l there? got in through another
opening in the shed and heard the whole
thing. The outside donkey was talking to
another donkey inside. The inside one
was big fellow and looked terribly sad.
he was leaning up against the wall, look
ing awful weak in the knees, and he was
crying, too. Yes, sir. Tears were drop
ping from his eyes and little sparks from
the end of his tail, where it was burned"
THAT was the same donkey we saw on
the hill" interrupted Elsie, her eyes as
big as saucers.
IL know both of EN-" continued Willy.
1.-THE outside donkey was old McQuaid's
Jenny. and the one inside was big Jack,
that's worked in the mine for ten years.
And this is what they said.
ou're looking pretty rocky this morn
ing,' said Jenny, poking her head into
the shed. What's the matter?'
"Jack gave big snorting sigh and shook
his tail sadly.
Well, guess you'd feel rocky. I got
burned out, that's what's the matter. My
tail caught fire, and had to run like the
deuce to put it out. tried water first; 1
ducked my head in a barrel in the tun-
nell
"'You put your head in to put your tail
out. That's funny-haI hap And Jenny
laughed great coarse mule laugh.
4" 1 don't see anything funny about it,
said Jack. And, besides, nearly got
killed with gas. But saved the mine
How was that2'
"'Well, it was this way. You see, there
was no watchman underground, and they
left me hooked up to a car way down in
the mine Toward morning began to
smell smoke. Then the air got thicker
and l couldn't see the light from the
lantern hanging around my neck. Finally
heard cracking noise, and thought it
was about time to get out and give the
alarm. 1 made one big lunge and
upset the car, which got unlocked from
my harness. Then 1 ran straight into
some burning timbers."
Foolish thing to do said Jenny.
We'll, couldn't see where the smoke
was coming from, and didn't know where
l was going. While Twas plunging around
In the dark felt my tail burning, and I
knew the only thing to do was to run as
fast as could to keep the fire from spread
ing over the rest OF my body. So 1 started
out in the other direction. twas terrible.
couldn't see anything. But Just kept
shouting, 1.-THE mines afire the mines
afireP' and ran as fast as ever could.
Finally got through the smoke
saw little speck of light in the distance
and knew it was the mouth of the tunnel.
But kept right on running through the
town and over the hill, shaking nv burn
ing tail and calling out louder and louder,
1.-THE mines afire." Then lay down to
rest myself. By and by some boys came
and patted me and said: "Jack, why don't
you put your tail out2" told them was
too tired. They said, "Poor Jack!" and
stamped little on my tail and put it out.
Then they led me back here and tied
me up. Oh, I tel you l. m tired of work.
ing in that dark old mine, cropping around
in the dim light of candles, humping nv
head on the roof of tunnels and wearing
my ears out, and getting my feet wet
besides. And nobody pays any attention
to me, or gives me any thanks. l Just get
pushed away into odd corners, and have to
wait there patiently till the cars fill up