The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-02-19
A. BfaZin0 Volcano That Has Cost the
COMPANY Over 100000.

which have fallen at the base of the
shriveled trees
Along the top of the hill the steam
bursts from a score of openings We are
standing over a rift in the earth from
which it puffs in our faces. Around the
aperture the ground is moist and warm,
and a sulphurous odor rises. Here the
moss takes on a deeper green. 1t is the
only vegetation which seems to flourish
| in the Gulf Stream-like temperature
/ There is q vividness in its hue which sug-
geSts the dyers vat. Over the hilltop the
grass is dry and dead, except in one spot,
where the shell of earth is thick and it
is hard for the volcano-like heat to force
its way.
1t seems as though the pressure of the
steam below varies. The stokers must be
slow at times, for the steam comes in
puffs; then it issues in a steady stream,
as though a group of locomotives far be-
meath were blowing off steam.
You notice as you go toward that stray
Cling bit of track that there is percepti-
BILE warmth beneath your feet. In front of
you several inches of earth fall into
a seam. Beneath the railroad tracks ap-
pears a red streak. We are standing over
a chophouse grill on the top of a Penn
sylvania mountain. The hot air rises and
the breath of a sirocco hangs over the
place. The sun is shining brightly, and
in the light the rays of heat are plainly
visible as they rise in quivering, break
ing lines. It is not safe to wander in this
neighborhood. Under other conditions
there would be a genial and comforting
glow about the fire which sends its rays
into our faces. There are no patches of
snow to give a cooling aspect to the
landscape here The air along the edge
of the cliff is hot and dry and harsh. The
narrow track will be obliteratad one of
these days apd the ties will go up in
smoke.
There is q fascination about that glow
ing CRATE on the mountain top. Almost
before I realize it I take from my pocket
a cigar and stoop over the red seam, sup
porting myself by holding to railroad
tie A hot blast of air strikes my face.
It is a longer reach to the glowing Goals
than l thought. The heat almost blisters
the outstretched hand It is only half
an inch more. The end of the Havana
strikes the bed of Goals.
Behind me the earth gives away. One
foot almost slips toward the red Goals.
The earth falls and covers the furnace
glare. Did ever spadeful of earth more
opportunely fall? The cold perspiration
is standing on my forehead as 1 scramble
away from the grill set. The cigar is
lighted. We hurry away from the spot.
And yet 1t was only a few days ago that
we wondered why the French actress
went so close to the crater that she
snged her eyebrows.
But what of the janitor? From around
the edge of a cliff of red rock he comes.
His cap is drawn over hisSeyes and the
plate used as the backing of his miners
lamp shines in the sun. Here is the man
whose hair has grown gray in the service
of colliery No. 2.
'Win I show you through the miner
he asked. THAT I will; andgi glad I
am to see you"
He leads the way to the entrance of
the burning mine. The life of a mole
has agreed with Frank McGovern. Still
it has not been SO void of excitement that
it is in all respects to be compared to the
existence of the creature which burrows
in the earth
There's a genial twinkle in the eyes
which shine from beneath the shaggy
eyebrows.
ITS glad am to see you" he said,
"for once in a while It's a bit lonely down
in the mine.
we have reached a ragged, irregular
opening beneath the hill.
AS we walk toward the red rock a
miserable, half starved dog follows at
our heels. Man has not been over friendly
to him In the hope of getting something
10 eat. perhaps, he goes with US into the
mouth Of the opening. This entrance
does not look much like that Of the
tabled inferno. Here is a broad entrance
TO the mine. The living rock makes a
roof high over our heads. The floor of
the tunnel is strewn with rock and piled
up timbers. From the rock above US
icicles hang-stalactites formed by the
cold winds which sweep in at the open
ing of the tunnel The half light shines
1pon them giving the effect of a dimly
lighted subterranean gallery such as are
found in Virginia and Kentucky. To the
right of US are solid pillars of coal, thirty
feet wide-the supports of the hill above.
Now the light fades at our backs. Nc
Govern stoops over pile of debris, turns
over a stone or two and draws out two
miners lamps. He has stored them away
from the sight of graceless youth to
whom findings Is keepings." We have
two diminutive torches a moment later,
and like a campaign procession of two,
we begin our mareh through the lane
which leads around the acres of fire.
Cool air blows through the long gallery
for a while, and then a gentle warmth
takes away the chilli