The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-19

land was plying "Coxey" with all
kinds of questions. Suddenly q deaf.
enng crash rent the air, and then an
omlnous rumble followed. The noise
came from the region of the mouth OF
the mine, and the entire party was
much frightened. The chaperone pre-
pared to go into Mysteries, and Miss
Holland clung to her companions arm
ard uttered q faint scream.
VIII Halburton turned shade paler,
but he sought to reassure the ladies
that nothing was amiss. II guess
they're taking down some pillars or
top coal" he said; but even while he
was speaking the horrible din Increased
In frlghtful crescendo until, with the
fnal crash came u blast of air, allied
with coal and other missiles, that threw
them to the ground
Then there was comparative silence,
varied only by an occasional gnashing
sound that was even more trying than
the louder crash.
The ladies We're praying and sobbing
aloud.and VIII Halburton was staunch-
ing the blood from wound in his head
THAT one of the flying missiles had
made. 1t was "Coxey" who collected
his wits the first, and relit his lamp.
Games up and roofs down" he
chirped. Might as well admit 1t; we're
in bad fix. Never felt much like
praying. but derned if I don't feel like
1t now"
What's to be done?" asked VIII.
Find out what's wrong first" said
Coxey. THE fun seems all toward the
mouth. so l reckon we can't get out
Ty,,t a.
ladies', I'll go and see. Nothn' short OF
such an emergency could tear me away.
And if you don't mind, I'll sing a little
| song on the way:
| Down in coal mine, underneath the ground,
| Disgn dusky diamonds all the year around.
He started away, singing as cheerily
| as If danger was unknown to him, but
| VIII shouted after him:
| Hold on, CoXey! Don't so out there.
Why. you're walking right into danger!
The roof has not caved, but the bottom
falling into the old mine has pulled our
roof with it. It's working towards us
even now. It's folly to venture toward
the mouth: We'll be safe here for
| awhile
And them" said Miss Holland.
And then" he answered. may God
| nave mercy on our SOulS.'' Saying this,
! he drew the girl toward him and kissed
| her on the cheek.
Beloved" he whispered. with death
so near to both Of us, cannot forbear
to tell you of my love for you. There
| is a chance that one of us may escape
and. God permitting. that one shall be
you. Know then that died"
mo. no." she sobbed; II cannot bear
| hnnr fn1lS tbiS
beside me- death will not seem so hard.
And / will face it gladly in return for
what you have told me-
"Children." said Coxey, II must go:
it's got to be did, and hain't got no
one to cry after me like you. So good
bye!"
He started off, and they could hear
his CHEEKY voice singing: ooh, there's
| nothing half so sweet in life as loves
young dream" as he passed into the
darkness.
In little while he came back, smil-
ing from ear to ear. Making a cere-
monious bow in front of the chaperone,
who was just recovering from another
| faintins spell, he said:
Madam, if you will condescend to
| take my humble arm 1 will have the
honor of leading this august assem-
blage to a haven of safety. Forward
march,
"Where is it?" asked viii. as they
started.
Just little ways from here. You
remember the air-hole?"
True said Will. "nhere's a chance
| there. Hurry up"
| They ran along the damp cavern un-
til they saw, in the distance, faint
CLEAN of light. 1t came from hole,
with steep smooth sides, that ventilat-
ed the mine.
| "Opening outside is right near the
| carpenter shop, you know" said
"CoXey." "Bein' somewhat NV a climb
| er I'll crawl up and get some ropes and
| help. I'll come back in a few minutes
Sorry to lose the pleasure of your COM
pany. Adieur'
In a few moments he was half way up
the shaft and then a little later he
| crawled safely out on top. Five min
utes passed, and then, to the strained
ears of the party underneath came the
shouts of the rescuers. Next rope
was lowered and "CoXey" climbed
down hand over hand.
Got to tie the sailor knots for ye,"
he said. '"rhe ladies tirst-the ladies.
God bless emf
Miss Holland was hauled up and
then the chaperone. Next "CoXey"
proceeded to fasten the ropes around
Will.
"No," said the young man; "you so
first"
"No back talk 'on board Ship" said |
"CoXey." "Cap'n must be obeyed. So |
here goes.
He fastened the rope around the |
young man and the men on top began |
to pull. When Will was half way up'a |
terrific crash was heard. and the res
cuers paused for an instant to learn |
if "CoXey" was still safe.
Cant lose me-" came the cry from |
beneath. And then as they hauled Will |
to the surface, they heard the familiar |
cracked voice singing:
Just tell them that you saw me,
And then they'll know the rest
Just tell them that I'm ookin well We know
Lower away again-quick," shout |
ed the foreman of the rescuing party. |
ITS falling all around the air-shaft. |
Hurry up!'
But before they could obey; another |
terrific crash came from the earth be-
meath them and "Coxey's" voice was
heard singing family:
"Just tell them that you saw me-
And then his song was drowned in the
noise of the gnashing walls of coal.
After while a man was lowered and |
found that the foot of the air. shaft |
was blocked with a mass of rock |
Somewhere, far beneath, lay "Coxey,"
n, mo plan h,,t ,,,tth th,l