The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-10-06
aROBBING THE PILLAPS.
A Peril of the Coal Mines.
By WALTER FENTON.

large masses OF coal, or pillars, are
left at intervals to support the roof,
and after q mine is worked out"
these pillars are minded away. The op.
Grafton OF removing them is technical
iy called 'trobbing the pillars" and it
Is the mcst dangerous work known to
the miner; for the roof caves in as the
sustaining columns are removed, not
unfrequertly burying the miner for
ever beneath a mountain Of rock and
earth. With this brief explanation of
our title re will proceed to narrate an
incident Of q thrilling nature that oc-
cured not lcng ago in Pennsylvania
eaal mine.
The night is bitterly cold. and the
stinging north wind howls and whis-
ties about q miners hut in the Penn
syivania coal regions. Ever and anon
. violent gust drives the drifting snow
beneath the door, and through the
many creyices Of the rudely construct
ed cot and each wild blast seems to
shriek In the ears CT those within that
aAode OF poverty the dread words:
Famine! famine! famine!"
A man and woman are crouching be-
side smoldering fire, and in a cradle
between them an infant Is sleeping.
Hunger and want have stamped their
dreadful signs upon them. Their faces
are thin and pale, their eyes are hol-
Low. and the wolfish glare Of starvation
flashes in their glance. The mans
head has sunk upon his breast, and
his attitude is that Of sullen despair;
his long, slender fingers. which he ey-
tends over the por fire. work ner'
vousiy, and q dark frown rests upon
his brow.
The woman rocks the cradle, and IN
q weak, plaintive voice chants a nur-
sery hymn: ynile, with look Of agony
and yearning such as only the devoted
mother can bestow, she gazes upon
the skeleton face CT her starving
ehila.
" The infant awakes from its troubled
sleep, and its cry Of hunger breaks
upon that poor mothers ears. and
vrings her heart with anguish, for she
has ne food to give 1t. Mechanically
she takes the baby to her breast. and
strives to give it the nourishment FOL
want Of which 1t Is perishing, but the
fount Is dry, and the little one looks
M into its mothers face with piteous
wondering eyes. Then that mothers
fortitude gives way, and she sobs
aloud in a despairing burst OF awfu
Srief. while to her breaking heart she
clasps the famishing babe.
In silence the man has looked upo-
the heartrending scene, but all the sa
cred emotions Of the husband and o'
the father are stirred within hisbreast
Can he calmly look upon the awfu
erief or the woman? No. he springs
70 his feet, and standing erect, n
sunites his clinched hand upon hi!
breast, and fercely cries:
'.By Heavens, I will have food fc'
.you tAis night! The good God neve
made man to starve In this land o
, plenty II he is willing to work. Wife
nm going forth to seek food, and II
sct Il Yes, I'll get 1t, and II In NJ
osher way then / will steal 1t! an
IesDerate: I am a wclf now, and
would tear the throat Of him VIII
dares 10 come between me and tn
food 1 seek for my starving family!
II he spoke he drew his thin ant
tattsrsd clothing mere closely aoou
his emaciated form, and strobe towar'
the sssr.
T. 1OA. John. John!" cried the woman
rising and following him. Where ar
yua going? What are you about to do
etay, DO not go forth into the storr
tonigAt Wait until morning comes.
'Wai:s tell you Mary. the babe /
starring. No, no, I must go now.
Z ..But, John. help may come tomol
row. / have written to my father
I have told him that THAT | an
my babe are starving. and he will nc
cannot refuse to help US now"
"AA, Mary, when you became m
wke he drove you from his hcme, dis
owned you. because I was poor. II
wished you to become the bride OF
wealthy man: he Is hard, crut
father, and your hopes will prov
sroundless. Mary, I would work ur
til 7 fell dead at my task, rather tina
aesept his charity. But there is n
work, the mines are idle, and day afte
day ] have sought in vain for some Il
bor By which could earn our bread
.uA, II my father does not aid u
thsn Ged help us! Oh, must my bah
dje?-must we starve-must "
starvef"
mo, no! By the God that made m
NO! Food I'll have, if 1t costs my III
ID get it," answered the man, an
there was desperate energy In n
Wild words that told he was terribl
In earnest.
He pressed hurried kiss upon IL
J brow Of her who for love had give
N q comfortable home to share n
a. 1o& .nd fbap no wont for