Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-11-25


The old Beury shaft opens into this
drift. / walked in here this afternoon
myself. Here is where | heard you
shout for help. There. Don't you feel
that breeze blowing through the drift!
Stuart turned his face and felt the
passing Of n cool wave Of air. And
then IL flashed across his memory that
several years before, when a boy, he
had himself climbed down into the old
Bcury shaft. which opened up on the
side of the hill, and made his way to
the level Of the Davis mine where he
now stood. The mines were ONE
times connected in this way. though
the abandoned passage would often be-
come choked and blocked up by falling
masses Of ore.
But there was no time TO lose, even
with this unexpected avenue of escape.
The two men caught up Eric and bur
ried as fast as their burden would al
low up the passage connecting the
main with the deserted shaft. After
walking with their burden about 200
feet the drift turne abruptly TO the
right and began to ascend sharply. 1t
grew more difficult TO carry Eric, but
the danger from the water was now
over. The old passage was really a
tunnel let into the side of the hill at a
sharp incline instead of a shaft sunk
down vertically from above. When
they had reached n point above the i'm
mediate reach of the water. they sank
down exhausted again, and by the
Pickering light Stuart first noticed who
his rescuer was.
81 haven't any cards with me. but I'll
Introduce myself" he said in a tone
that made Stuar smile, and yet there
was nothing fiippant or lacking in seri-
business about the man. Il am the new
minister at the church with the clock
in the tOwer-St. Johns. | arrived in
champion two days ago. My name is
Andrew Burke. You are Mr.. Duncan,
The mine owner? am glad to meet
you"
He reached out his hand. and Stuart
took it. clasping it over the body of
Eric. He felt a strange thrill as he did
so. Somehow the peculiar formality of
the mans speech struck him as a token
of n special kin of strength. He
seemed to feel hat here was a man
who. whatever his oddities, was pos
sessed of qualities that were really
very rare and valuable.
Il owe you my life and that Of my
friend here" he aid 1T all seems
very strange TO me, your appearance.
i had given myself up for lost. |
should certainly have drowned if you
had not appeared"
YES: | think you would-that is, I'M
less you had left the body of your
friend here, end you don't look like the
kind OF man to do that But we ought
to move on. We need to get him to the
doctor as soon as possible. My ppear-
lance here is very simple. and l can tell
that afterward. Shall we move n?'
Stuart eagerly aSsented. and they
on up the tunnel. Their prog
|ress was very slow, for S,ric was en-
|tirely n dead weight, anu neither Stu
Rart nor his companion was n powerful!
man physically. They had gone bur a
Short distance. however, when lishtE
appeared farther up the shaft, anS
Soon they were surrounded by I, F-our
pf miners. accompanied by DR.. Sa-on
There was no time for more than the
" AtAtSl GADAdLldlIOllS- II DdllN lb0h
Eric from Stuart and the minister, aad
boon they We're standing out on The
side of the hill in the starlight. The
kOOl night air blew about Stuart, ard
Dc thanked God for his life. Farther
PIP on the hill a heap of blazing ruins
narked the place where the enFiDe
house had stood. while at n diStan-e
he ladder hole smoked and famed like
small volcano, showing that the tim
bers were blazing fiercely below.
Take Eric to my house. We are not
LhT from it," said Stuart.
Yes, and hurry up. men, added the
|poctor. I'll go on ahead with them,
|ftuart. Eric needs attention as soon
s possible"
The doctor and the miners with Eric
hurried down the hill. while Stuart
Followed with the minister as fast as
e could. But now that the strain was
bver he felt weak and faint.
You must come in and stop with me
4pnight, Mr.. Burke. l want to know
he story of your appearance in the
hine. And, besides, l have not had
lime TO thank you"
Il shall be glad to accept your invita-
ion. In fact, l feel the need of wash
u up before l go back to the town. 1
i'm stopping at the hotel replied
Burke.
As the two walked along. picking
heir way slowly down the narrow
pth. a peculiar noise came waited up
them from the town. Stuart paused
5nd listened.
Whats that?' he asked.
Troops. They arrived this after
bon. That must be the drumbeat TO
rarters."
i supposed the troops would not
BART until the last of the week. l had