Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-13

Wibu l uhu Oue OI tucm potcut uei' mets," thought David. I Then came notion; if he could wet
 his calico cap and put 1t over his mouth that might do as well as a sponge. 1 Almost overcome. physically, yet his slow, stolid brain remained clear. Quite
 resolutely he turned and staggered back toward the place where lay his drink ing can
 He snatched at the drinking can with both hands. It held at best three pints
 He turned his back upon the fire and staggered away. Inside the jack, the now remaining drop of weak tea gurgled unsteady with the violent shaking it 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 clapped 1t over his mouth. Instantly he felt the taste of the air come back His strength came with it, and he felt very hopeful. Then in real earnest he ran up the road.
 There was lot in poor old Williams s idea after all" he said.
 Then feeling the benefit of Williams idea, he naturally thought of William himself. And for the first time sense of fear took hold of David
 As David neared the big road from which his own little road and Williams branched. he expected to see Williams light-either ahead or little way be- hind. In either case, if he saw light, he would feel easy about William
 If see light, it will be Williams" said he. Because everybody in the dis 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 10 light either ahead or behind.
 David, with his foot on the rail, turned to the left-toward the top of Williams road. He reached this in a few seconds. He looked down. He saw no light. He felt the gas fumes stronger. and pene- trating even the saturated cap over his mouth. The choke-damp. as matter of fact. grew more powerful every minute and soon would be strong enough to de- stroy every live thing it touched
 Dash that old William and his inven- tions and his carefulness!" David said. If 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 the inventor and all his works, David turned down Williams road.
 Cropping cautiously now, because he rather expected to come across William -either staggering or fallen-some- where near, David went slowly down. His left foot-the right slid along the rail-kicked against something yield ing
 Hes down." thought David, "suffo- csting"
 He bent down. Just a glimmer of red shone upon bare human body at his feet David touched it with his hands.
 Its him." said he.
 He gave him a shake-rough and fierce. A groan came back.
 He jerked him upright. William tottered.
 That's it." shouted David. Come on. come on!"
 He dragged him roughly along. Will liam with every yard went more will ingly, until by the time they reached the top of the stall road he, in an ab- solutely dazed state, ran with David like an automaton.
 In the main road the fumes of gas and | smoke choked them. But they struggled | through They reached the double l parting, the distributing center of the | district Here the air. coming direct | from the shaft. blew fresh and strong.
 The pure air strengthened the men.
 Come on," roared David into Will liam's ear.
 William clung to his arm now, and they ran as human beings can run with | certain death behind them. The dusty electric lamps in the archway at the pit | bottom still remained alight. A few terrified colliers came rushing from other parts of the pit as David and Will liam reached safety.
 They all bounced into the pit carriage; signaled to the engine-man above. and in two minutes. at the pit-head in the all congratulated one another.
 Williams eyes blinked dazedly in the sunlight Consciousness returned.
 q was just suffocated," he gasped.
 Where's your old helmet?" David asked, accusingly. T thought that hel- net was goin' to do wonders"
 "oh. jawch!" said William. rueful. put truthful. when I saw the fire. clean forgot to put the old thing on."