The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-05-01
DOWN IN A COAL MINE.
ny Il. It. MINTURN.

John Barton and Hiram Adams lived
In the small village of Kingston. They
were inseparable friends, having been
schoolmates together for some years,
and when, few months before my
story opens, they were both made
orphans on the same day by terrible
accident in the mines, each found a
family depending on him for support.
Neither shirked this burden of re-
sponsibility. Manfully and well, dur
ing the long summer months, they
worked side by side in the gloomy cav
erns of the earth.
One bright day in the latter part of
April, an incident occurred which
neither of the two friends will be likely
to forget, though they live to be cente
narians.
A new shaft, some 70 feet in depth,
had been sunk during the preceding
summer, and a great many miners
John Barton and Hiram Adams among
the number-were still employed in
making excavations.
Blasting by powder is by no means I'M
usual in mines; or, in fact, in any work
requiring the speedy removal of masses
of earth and rock.
On this particular occasion blast OF
more than ordinary proportions had
been prepared only few yards from
the bottom of the shaft.
To the barrels of powder was at
tached a fuse, by means of which it
would be fired when the proper time
arrived.
The miners in the groups were drawn
up to the sunlight above, until only
few remained in the dusky, half-illu
mined recesses underground.
John Barton had been the first to vol
unteer, and, therefore, was appointed
as the person whose duty it would be
TO ignite the slow match.
"Let me take your place." Hiram
pleaded. think of your mother and
sister, if any accident should happen,
John, you know it is dangerous"
"Yes; and l think that very good
reason why l should not let you. take my
place."
"Then let me stay with you," Hiram
urged, an expression of anxiety on his
countenance, as he thought Of his
friends peril.
"A very sensible ideal" John ex-
claimed, laughingly. IF you stay with
me, the danger will be increased, be-
cause the bucket will go up more slow
" with two than with one. Now, no
more arguments. You know how OBJ
stinate l am, and Hello! That's
the signal! Good-by, old fellow I'll
be with you up above in few mo-
ments."
Remember, John; be careful" were
IIiram's last words, as he and the few
remaining miners assembled in the
bucket, leaving John Barton far below,
every instant growing more indistinct,
until only the light in his hat could be
distinguished glimmering family in the
darkness.
Soon even that disappeared, and Hi
ram Adams, looking very anxious and
disconnected, found himself in the
glaring sunshine, and stepped out OF
the bucket on terra firna.
He was bewildered by the sudden
transition from gloom to light Then
his eyes rested on the pale, agitated
face of pretty Annie Barton, who had
brought her brothers midday lunch, as
usual.
lie went over to her and spoke reas-
suringly, and tried to convince her
that there was no cause for alarm.
"They have lowered the bucket" he
said, presently. watch. and you will
see the rope jerk twice, the signal from
John that it is ready to be drawn up
The girl endeavored to be calm, but
she trembled violently.
An indefinite fear, strange feel
ing of apprehension. weighed on Hi
rams heart.
q The group of swarthy-visaged
miners, who were chatting with wives
and sweethearts around the opening of
the shaft, suddenly grew silent
1t was moment of suspense, for tho
boy in the gloomy Governs, 10 feet under
ground, was then engaged in lighting
the slow match.
The men who were To turn the crank
grasped the handles firmly, and no
one spoke.
"Ah!"
1t was with a sigh Of relief that An
ME Barton, Hiram Adams and every
person in the crowd saw the rope jerked
twice.
The match had been applied, John
would be with them in few moments,
and all would hear the mufiled, rum
bling sound of the great explosion in
the depths Of the earth.
A flush of color rose 10 Annie Bar
toms cheek ard Hiram Adams felt his
heart beating rapidly and his breath
coming in short gasps.
The men at the crank worked with =