The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-10-06

The wife pressed her face against the
pane, and strove to pierce the gloom
in which he vanished, while he
struggled onward onward through the
snow toward light that glimmered
like a beacon in the distance.
The way was rugged and huge drifts
obstructed the pathway, but he brave
ly breasted them, and at last, painting
and exhausted, he reached large brick
dwelling, that by contrast with the
miserable miners huts around 1t
seemed a mansion. This was the res
idence of Hugh Ashton, the proprietor
of the colliery, and he was the man
upon whose employment all the min
ers Of that little hamlet depended for
q livelihood.
John Fayne, such was the starving
miners name, rang the doorbell, and
was admitted to the presence OF the
king.
"Mr. Ashton" said he. as he con-
fronted the wealthy operator, my wife
and child are starving; will you give
me some food for them tonight? l
have worked for you in the mines until
compelled by sickness to give up, and
although am now able tc work again,
the mines are idle, and ! can find no
employment. l am willing to work,
If l only had chance. l would brave.
the dangers of any honest toll, endure
Lar 20
family"
Mr.. Ashton was at heart kindly
man. but he had never experienced the
awful meaning Of the word starvation.
He regarded John Fayne closely for
a moment, and then called to a SER
want.
Put up a basket of provisions for
this man at once"
Thank you! thank you!" said John
Fayne, and the tears started from his
eyes; for this was the first kindly act
that had gladdened his heart for many
a day. When the food was produced
he was about to hasten home with 1t,
when Mr.. Ashton said:
Stay. You say you are willing to
work, and although the mines are Idle,
1 think can give you work II you
dare ndertake it. You know the Old
North Mountain mine that has not
been worked for several years?'
John Fayne answered afirmatiVely.
Every WE'LL" continued Mr.. Ashton,
81 will give you the job OF robbing the
pillars from it.
What" cried Payne, in surprise.
''Would you send me there? The
North Mountain mine was deserted be-
because the roof was unsafe, and there
were so many lives lost by the fall OF
top coal that no one would longer
work in it. And to rob the pillars, too,
Mr.. Ashton, if I went there to wcrk,
ther are 10 chances to / that l would
come forth only as a crushed and
mangled corpse. No, / cannot do It."
every WE'LL" answered Mr.. Ashton.
.sThe pay would enable you to support
| your family in comfort, and I thought
| would mention it to you. You POSI-
lively refuse my offer, then?"
John Fayne hesitated. He thought
of his loved ones. and the brave, no
ble-hearted man determined to take
the fearful risk for their sakes. he
was placed in a terrible situation, and
could any true man have done other
wise? On the one hand was starva-
ton for his wife and child, on the
other an awful danger for himself. He
chose the last.
81 will accept your offer, and tomor-
row I will begin the work OF robbins
the pillars from the old North Noun
tain mine," he said.
It is early morning, but John Fayne
has already entered the gloomy cav
erns Of the deserted mine. He had "a
ken the food to his house last night
and told his wife of the work he had
obtained. She had tried to persuade
T, him to abandon the dangerous project
but in vain.
The gloomy subterranean place Is
silent and deserted. Overhead the
black. chasm-seamed rocks extend, an6
seem ready to descend upon him al
any moment; the water drips from nu
merous crevices, and falling upon thu
hard floor gives forth a weird, unnat
ural sound. 1t seems TO the lone min
er that those strange noises are made
BY the nails being driven into CONN
and he shudders. Slime oozes from th'
sides of the old "gangway," and th'
iron mine rails are rusted. and de
cayed by the action Of sulphur water
J Deeper. and yet deeper he makes hi
way into the mine, and the cold, DAM
air strikes upon him like chill breatl
from the grave.
The mine lamp upon his hat sheds
J ftful light upon the uncanny place
and the miner sees that here and ther
the wooden props that were to sustain
, the roof from where there were n