The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-03-22
HIS FRIENDS CRIME.

village In Glamorganshire.
The girl was known by young and old
in the colliery district as "Our Milly"
and "Our Lassie," and she was looked
upon almost as the property Of the va
rious pits.
That she had many suitors was not
to be wondered at, but only two out Of
them all received any encouragement
from her. One was the local preacher,
the other was the young man who
played the harmonium at the chapel,
and who was looked upon as a musical
genius in the district.
1t was Milly's 18th birthday and it
happened to be a Monday day on
which most GOLFERS do not work. Milly
had received numerous little presents
from her various admirers, which she
had strewn on the kitchen table, before
which she sat contemplating them with
a beaming face
A man was coming toward the cot
tage-it was the miner preacher.
Milly received him with signs Of
pleasure. She showed him the various
articles on the table, expatiating on the
kindness of those from whom she had
received them
81, too, have a present for you, Mil
ly," the young man said presently, as
he took out of his pocket little mo-
rocco case, and out of it ring, He
took Milly's hand and placed the ring
upon her engagement finger.
you and | have loved each other a
long time now, Milly," he continued. 81
should have asked you to allow me to
do this before, but it was only this
morning l heard that l was to be made
an overseer So now we shall be able
to keep house"
Milly tried to stop him more than
once, but he paid no attention to her.
Morgan" she said at last, you are
good fellow. and l like you, and am
glad to hear you have got the rise at
the pit. I hope we shall always be
friends; but I cannot marry you--Da-
vid is to be my husband-that was set
tied last night between him and my
father"
For a whole month Morgan kept
away from the pit, in consequence OF
which he lost his preferment.
One day, few hours after the pits
had commenced work, Morgan came to
Milly looking very pale.
"Do not be frightened" he said, but
David has met with an Academia
slight accident. He had been exploring
a used-up pit where he thought there
was a seam of coal that could be got
at. He had uncovered a lot of stuff
and found the seam. He took me down
this morning to see it.
while stripping some of the surplus
a lump of coal fell across his leg. He
has lost little blood, and is resting.
He thought if you would bring down
bandage or two we might set him right
between us. You see he does not want
any one to know of his discovery just
yet, so you must not hint to any one
of it,"
Milly went with Morgan immediate
ly. He led her to the pit, which was in
a very out of the way place
Milly entered. Morgan Immediately
followed and closed a door behind him
"a door rudely made, but strong Then
he told Milly that David was not hurt
at all, and that he had brought her to
this place in order to tell her that he
could not live without her, and that he
might make her promise to marry him.
He tried persuasion and threats in
vain, and at last left her, telling her
that he would call each day with food
and for her reply.
He went back to his work in the pit
at once, making excuses for his alb
sence. He had hardly commenced to
ply his pick when a tremendous explo-
sion took place. All the outlets from
the mine were completely blocked.
Morgan found himself in the dark ly-
ing PROSTATE on his back, with guam
tity of coal upon him. Each hour
seemed as though it were day. What
would she do for food? Again and
again he shrieked, his mind overcome
with horror. At last voice answered
his cries. 1t was the voice of David.
1t did not take him long to remove
some of the fallen coal and eXtricate
Morgan.
And then for FIVE dreary days they
remained prisoners in the darkness.
At last the time came when Morgan
was so faint that he could hardly move.
Davids strength, meanwhile, had kept
up wonderfully, and he did all he could
to cheer Morgan. The latter, who used
to pray and preach so much, had now
not one prayer to offer. David could
not comprehend this.
why don't you pray, Morgan?" he
asked.
Il can't" came family from Morgans
dying lips.
is there anything on your mind?"
There is--Milly."
In spasmodic tones, with long pauses,
constantly interrupted by EXPLANATIONS
of horror from David, Morgan told how
he had inveigled Milly into the old pit
and had imprisoned her so that she
could not possibly escape, and left her
| only food enough for one day.
1t was a terrible story to hear in that
dark vault, without CLEAN of light or
clear hope Of escape. The story was
hardly finished when, with a shout as
savage as that of a wild beast deprived