The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-02-23

step OF TWO he on MS knee. tie
found II dinicult TO breathe: sometblng
went out Of the air.
Now the thought OF Williams talk
came back aud brought the companion
thought Of Williams idea-that some
thing damp over the mouth would save
anyone from death by surocation In the
after-damp OF the explosion.
Il wish | had one OF them patent hei-
NETS. thought David.
Then came a notion: II he could wet
his calico cap and put IL over his mouth
that might do as well as a sponge.
Almost overcome, physically yet his
slow, stolid brain remained clear. Quite
r%esolutely he turned and staggered back
toward the place where lay his drink
ing can.
lie snatched at the drinking can
with both hands. II held at best
three pints.
lie turned his back upon the fire and
staggered away. Inside the jack, the
now remaining drop OF weak tea eurglei
unsteady With the violent shaking II
got.
He tore OF his little calico cap. pulled
the cork OUT OF his jack. poured some OF
the weak tea upon the cap and clappec
It over his mouth. Instantly he felt the
taste Of the air come back. His strength
came With ID, and he felt very hopeful
Then in real earnest be ran up the road
There was a lot in poor old Williams
idea after an" he said.
Then feeling the benefit Of william.
idea. he naturally thought OF william
himself And for the first time a sense
Of fear took hold OF David.
As David nearcd the big road from
which his own little road and Williams
branched he expected TO see Williams
light-either ahead or a little way 10.
hind In either case. II he saw a light
he would feel easy about William.
IF see a light, It will be Williams
said he. Because everybody in the els.
trict but US two went out at least an
hour ago.
But at the top Of the road which
David knew by the junction Of tram
lines under his foot-David could see NJ
light either ahead or behind.
David. with bis foot on the rail. turned
TO the left-toward the top Of Williams
road. He reached this in a few seconds
looked down. He saw no light. lie
felt the gas fumes stronger. and pene.
even the saturated cap over his
mouth. The choke-damp. as a matter OF
fact. grew more powerful every minute
and soon would be strong enough TO de.
stroy every live thing il touched.
Dash that old William and his inven.
and his carefulness," David said
III he didn't go potching with my lamp
shifting it from where | put it-this
explosion wouldn't happened"
But in spite Of this condemnation Of
he inventor and all his works. David
urned down Williams road.
Cropping cautiously now. because he
ather expected 70 come across William
either staggering or fallen-some.
where near, David went slowly down.
lis left foot-the right slid along the
ail-kicked against something yield.
ng.
He's down thought David, "suno-
He bent down. Just a glimmer OF red
hone upon a bare human body at his
eet. David touched ii with his HANDS.
Its him, said he.
He gave him a shake-rough and
A groan came back.
He jerked him upright. William
offered.
That's it," shouted David. Come
n. come onl'
He dragged him roughly along. WI.
Jam with every yard went more will.
ngly, until by the time they reached
he top OF the stall road he. in an alb.
dazed state, ran with David like
automaton.
In the main road the frmes OF gas and
moke choked them. But they struggled
trough. They reached the double
the distributing center Of the
Here the air. coming direct
the shaft. blew fresh and strong
The pure air strengthened the men.
Come on, roared David into vii. ,
ear.
William chung to his arm now. and
hey ran as human beings can run with
death behind them. The dusty
lamps in the archway at the pit
still remained allght. A few
certified colllers came rushing from F,
Their parts Of the pit as David and VII h,
am reached safety. ,
They all pounced into the pit carriage: ,
TO the engine-man above. and !
two minutes. at the pit-head in the ,
unshine, all congratulated one another :
Williams eyes blinked dazediy In n, !
nnlight. Consciousness returned. .
II was Just suffocated. !" he gasped. !
Where's your old helmet?" David !.
accusingly. Il thought that hel !
Jet was goin' to do wonders" ,
"Oh. jawchl" said William. rueful .
ut truthful. when ! saw the Ere.
Iean forgot to put the old thing on"
Protection of Wild Life. .
Is there any way Of accounting 70, Y
a nrnnauUffy psonfr.rY,4 -. Il