The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1899-12-14
MS sio'p interrupted.

Sbu, up 10 al old steam boiler With =
bear and rattle tnske. That wss the eI
trience OF J axe Aidrich = few days ago,
aud he sys 1t is tue tightest box be ever
got Into, snd be has been 10 good many.
Jike is prospector who for over . yesr
has been working out,in the mountains .
lev i0iIes from Diamond Springs. III Dora
do county. Near where Jake has been
working lie an abandoned engine, With eli
the machinery. including the boiler, Tue
house that enclosed the machinery hss eli
been blown down.so that the boiler stands
the old fashioned kind, without haes.
Early 10 the year IL struck Jake that
boiler would be a pretty good place to
sleep 10 as 1t was warm aud dry and per
fectly impei vious TO the heavy rains that
fall 10 the vicinity, 30 be took out the
nsnhole gssket, which wss q big one, 10
Gated at the end OF the boiler, close to the
bottom, aud moved 10.
He found that it was jlst what be had
been looking for. Dark, Of course, bat as
warm as house BY knocking oil a steam
pipe connection q. the other end OF the
boiler the veotilstion was perfect and no
danger OF getting wet For months jake
enjoyed his sleeping apartment 10 the
boiler, and was the envy OF oil the miners
for miles round But last Monday night
there was trouble. That's when the bear
and tie snake got 10. At least that's when
the bear got iu. When the snake got in
is a mystery. 1t mey Lave been nnder
Jake's blankets all winter for sll be knows
but be does know il was there last Mon
day hight.
Jake went to bed at bis usual time
about dark and as the night was little
warm concluded to leave the manhole
open. He vert to sleep instantly, but
some bours later was awakened by q queer
sonnd ut the end OF the boiler. Rising in
bis blankets. JAKE rescbed for bis miners
matches These are a kind that will burn
several minutes. Striking one he was for
a NIT ute blinded by the glare, Then it
and went out. Before he could
strike another. Jake became conscious OF
80 fling down at the far end OF the boiler
Then he got frightened. and when be reach |
ed for bis match box be couldn't fnd it.
He felt here and there, all the time con
scious that the shifting was coming his
way. Gold sweat came ont sll over him
md fretzy seized him. He wanted to
make o rush for the manhole. but fear
leld him to the spot,
Then he felt ir bis matches again, and
his time he put his hand right on them.
striking one his horror was increased BE
ore him stood big bear. At The sight OF
be light the beer became frightened and
vent back TO the end ct the boiler. Jske's
irst impulse was TO draw bis revolver snd
re, but he had fear be might miss the
esr or not bit the vital spot, and so be
urning 10 order to keep the bear at bay I
ntl be could think cut plan OF flight
While this situation was at it's most strain
d point. Jske's blood sln oct frcz' for the
Ihirr OF rattle snake struck bis esr. II
as 10 the boiler, right in front OF him,
nd between him and the bear. The first q
rove was made by the bear for the 0
lsnhole.
Tbis aroused JAKE to bis terses. The
laich had almost burned his fingers when I
is nerve came back, aud be took careful
Im over the sights OF his revolver and 8
lev the head CA the rattle snake Iust ss :
was poised 10 strike.
Victory nov aroused Jske's sportsman
lood be wanted the bear. 9
Climbing ont rs qnickley as be could, Q
9 ssv Bruin sitting on bis hsnnches 3 b
~ icel .lom the boiler. AT sight Of jake b
e turned TO run. bat pistol ball caught
i'm bdween the shoulders and stopped y
I'm. He concluded TO 6gbt Jake and s
sde force attack, m adiensd IS be was Q
: the pain Of bis wound. But Bruin wac 9
one for.