The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-06

| Sd1u fNlCndTu WIN " SIRn,
| Here, Jack, come over here and
| show this fellow how to work" said
the boss to one of the boys near
| Richard.
| Jack came over and picked slate for
several minutes by Richards side while
| Richard watched him in silence. At
last Richard found out the secret and
worked earnestly till dinner hour came;
thin the gong sounded all over for dim
ner. Richard took his lunch to a COR
ner where he hoped to escape from the
boys but such was not to be, for they
soon saw him and started to tease him.
Oh, the trials of that first days work
can not be described by the pen.
The gong sounded to start to work it
was hard for the new recruit. His
arms ached and he was very tired.
Your name is Dick Belmont, is II
not?" asked the foreman.
Yes sir"
We'll my boy I need youngster in
the mine and guess you will do"
But. sir interrupted Richard,
"what is the work."
"Why. nlpping, You know what that
is, don't you?"
mo sir"
well. boy that opens and shuts
a door and let's the cars out. Now get
ready for your new work" said he.
II will have to see mamma first" pro-
tested Richard.
We'll, hurry then. and report for duty
in an hour. Tell her it isn't dangerous
work" shouted the foreman as Rich
lard hurried away.
Richard Went home and told his
mother of the employment and request
ed her consent. After thinking the
matter over she gave it.
| Richard returned to the office and
reported for duty and was soon taken
into the mine, put at his new post of
duty and given the necessary orders.
He had no experience at this work but
managed to perform his duties in a
satisfactory manner Day after day
he went to and from the mines and
worked at this. Five months from the
day he was put at this work the fore
man stopped him when on his way to
work.
wait a minute Dick" said he. II
want to speak TO you"
Richard waited and was told to 60
and get mule at the barn and bring
} 1t to the foot, that is where the car
: riage stops and the cars are put on
and off. This he did bringing little
! white mule named Jennie He was first
put to helping at the foot but after a
, few days he was put to doing drivers
, duties.
, Now a new experience commenced
Day after day he worked earnestly
bringing car after car to and from the
different chambers with the valuable
; aid of faithful old Jennie, who now
loved her young master.
1t was on the % of June when the
Bellmonts were eating their breakfast
, The sun was throwing her sunbeams
? in the window and Richard said to his
2 mother, mamma, this is my 14th birth.
! day"
YES, dear know it and | have
D nothing for you" said Mrs. Belmont.
Yes you have" said Richard as HI
/ tenderly kissed his mother and hurried
s off to work.
2 He was going to the barn when ole
= Ned a miner whom the boys disliked
stopped him and offered him a quarter
y If he would bring him some extra car:
r and leave the other miners to do with
, out. This the boys called pocketing.
0 Richard stood erect and proudly an
y swered, mo sir, I'm no cheat" and re
|
t rived at the barn he found Jennie al
n ready for work and good it was, fo
: just then the gong sounded for worl
I and Richard had to hurry off to hi
u duty. This was the friendly act of tn,
o barn boss. for Richard was the frienC
u of every man in the mines.
I When Richard was taking some car
I to a chamber he heard Michael Grimes
e one of the miners, say to one or tn,
o laborers: II believe there Is going t,
r be trouble today. because the rats ar
!. running toward the foot and that is
i sure sign"
o Richard continued to drive Jennie
d 1t was on one of his empty trips that H.
s noticed the roof in dangerous con
y ditiOn Just beore him, near a chambe
d where some rock had fallen. He stop
e ped to think what he had better DO
d We'll if ! go back to the foot withou
|. telling the men they will be killed o
d entombed and if to | go to them | ma,
II never get out alive" thought he
g II will go" said he at last. 81 CUES
d | will put Jenne in front of the car s.
a as to be ready To start if we get back
/ Soon he had told the men of thci
r danger and in few moments they wer
II out to the car
It Nov" said Michael Grimes, ever
y man blow out his lamp and win kcc
It mine lit" The men did not seem t
n obey so he said to Richard:
Ir boy. don't leave that nag stir Ill
X they do as | told them for if thcr
'r would be cave the gas would b
'r ignited and then it woul be all owe
a with us"
It Richard obcycd his orders becaus
1t he knew that Mr.. Grimes was the old
is est miner in the mine and knew wha
W TO do in such a case,
ID After the men knew that order
n would have to be obeycd they did a
le instructed. Then they started on thei
q way toward safety. Jennie ran as fas
,r as she could but not fast enough I
n please some Of the men for one of ther
II said give her a touch of the whip.
Richard did not heed him but continue
IN to urge Jennie along. They were jus
10 passing ths corner and the men though
st there was a crash in the rear and tn
ther was crash I'm the rear and tn
a, light was Immediately put out. Jenni
stopped but Richard urged her on. Sh
Dr unwillingly started 10 run once NOR,
D. AT last Richard was successful in get
" ting Jennie To run very fast but III
In faithful old mule kept looking ahea
as in a very unpleasant manner, an
in finally she jumped from the track an
I'd then the men saw a dark object /
at front of them, but il was too late, fC
to the car plunged into a great mass
st coal and rock that had fallen SON
Is time before, and the men found then
ie selves on top of IL. They soon realize
ne whore they were. Richard had bee
4 L.. ~