Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-11-09
HIS BRAVE DEED


half the village, was to cir a ball in
honor of his son Carts twenty first
birthday and also TO celebrate the re-
turn Of his only daughter from the Eng
lish school to which she had been sent
when but ten years old
( Carl Hilton was an CRY SOC. and be-
cause of his parents indulgence had
become selfish and tyrannieaL His ia
Their tdolized him and was blind to his
faults. AS Mr.. Hilton had been out
of health for more than q year, Carl
had attended TO most of the business,
and he had so tyrannized over the min
ers that they one and all hated him,
but they loved and respected his father
and, for his sake bore in silence the
| abuse of the son.
1t fell to the lot Of Fred Chase, one
of the foremen in the mine, to escort
the beautiful Nina to dinner and so
deeply did they become engaged In con.
YersatiOn that it was some minutes be.
Fore Fred noticed that Carl sat directly
opposite and was watching them close
ly.
Il intend to visit the mines tomor-
row." said the girl in tones loud enough
to be heard by her brother Il want
to descend the new shaft"
Il shall be very happy to conduct you
through the mines, but you must not
descend the new shaft, for it is not
safe. have warned your brother that
the roof Of the mine is in danger of
falling, but he only laughs at me, and
1 fear some terrible accident will be'the
result of his neglect"
'You are Il fool, Fred Chase! The
shaft is safe enough shall take
Nina there myself tomorrow" said
Carl angriIy.
The following morning Carl started
TO- the new shaft alone. Ninairefused
to accompany him and begged him to
delay his visit until the roof was made
secure.
Carl reached the shaft tugt as half a
dozen miners came from it, and in an
swer to his inquiries was told that
Fred Chase and another man had re-
manned behind to finish fillingfthe last
car with ore.
In a few minutes he was lowered to
the bottom of the shaft In the dis
lance he could see the lights Of the
two miners. BY the light Of his own
lantern he saw that some of the beams
were bent. All seemed weighted to
their utmost capacity. and he shud-
dered as, in passing one large post, q
slight cracking sound was heard
Il am going ON a short dist zee to
look at the ore. You maywait for me
at the foot of the shaft, and we viii
all be drawn up at once" said Carl.
He strolled on, while Fred and his
companion returned to the entrance.
They had barely reached it when they
heard loud report behind, cry Of
fear mingled with the noise Of falling
rocks; then all was still.
Only an instant did they stand mo-
tionless. Then Fred grasped the rope
and gave the signal to be hoisted to the
top.
Soon the entrance to the shaftwas q
scene Of wild excitement The father
offered large rewards to any who
would attempt the rescue Of his .son,
bat not a man would volunteer.
Il will give half OF my fortune--and
it is a large One-to the men whoSwill
help me reach my boy!"
Fred came forward with a look, OF re-
solve on his face
'Mr. Hilton, not for your entire for
tune would enter that mine to save
your son, but for humanity'sl sake I
VIII 90 my best to,rescue him"
a cheer from the miners greeted
these words. With a wave Of his hand,
fred commanded silence and, running
his eye over the,crowd, said,sNowly:
81 must have three men to help me.
Who win go?"
Charles Gray, Bred's chosen. compan-
ion, stepped to his side. Two more
men quickly followed, and they were
lowered into the shaft The first act
Of the workers was to place extra
beams, which were lowered down the
shaft for theSpurpose, as near as they
could to the fallen roof, to bear any
strain that might be resting on those
already there. AT the end of three
hours Of cautious digging they came to
the car which Fred and his companion
had stayed behind to fill, and they stop
ped for a few moments rest.
In half an hour they had reached an
opening caused by two large rocks
which had fallen together in such a
manner as to leave q space between
them. In that spaceglay Carl, with one
arm doubled under him and one foot
pinloned by stone The posr fellow
was terribly deutschland cut, but con-
scious.
God blessyou, Fired. and your brave
companions, said Mr.. Hilton huskily as
he grasped the y0ung by the hand.
From ny heart I thank you
The crowd soon dispersed, and Carl
was conveyed to his home. After
many weeks Of suffering he recovered,
but the crushed foot was useless-he
was a cripple forslife.
As soon, as he was able toxic so Carl
sent for Fred.
Forgive meg Fred" he said frankly
Il was wrong,%but my punishment has
been great
About q year afterward Mr. Hilton
bestowed his, daughters hand, upon the
young man who had saved his sons
life, and on1his wedding day Fred be-
came one of the5owners, OF the mine
London Spare Moments,
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