The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-06-26

days to complete the idea, and when 1t
was done Js.ck Grigsby squared his
handsome shoulders, set his teeth firm
ly on the amber stem of his pipe and
said: There, by gum! I'd like to see
a snowslide harm thatr'
The oldest inhabitant, who stood by
Jacks side, grinned.
you've put lot Of work on that
thing" he said.
"Well, It's worth it," replied Jack.
Huh" answered the old miner, 81
could "a told you something that
wouldn't "a been any work at all and
would "a been just as effective az
thatP
"a nice time to be telling me thatF
exclaimed Jack 'Well, what is itT'
The old man pulled detected look
ing envelope out of his pocket after a
long search found stubby pencil and
made a few marks on the envelope
back, then walked over to a tree and
tackled the paper up on the trunk.
Grigsby followed him curiously. On
the envelope was written:
"Avalanches are requested not to
trespass here"
Jack roared. well. you're a great
joker"
The old man grinned, but shook his
head. Just as good as your wedge"
he answered You amt seen a real
slide yet You want to move your
mine, that's what you want to do"
Grigsby looked little troubled. 1.-THE
president of the company and his
daughter are due here this afternoon,
but the weather has been SO snappy
lately l guess we are safe"
Then to himself as he walked away,
"Td give the world and all to see
Madge, but Then he looked at the V
shaped rampant "Gee, that would
stand anything" he said.
The visitors were not expected until
late iii the afternoon, but it was only /
o'clock when the short, fat millionaire
and his dainty, slender daughter dis
mounted from their horses and left
them at the group Of shacks ON the
mountain side. Then they descended
into the gulch, where the shaft opened.
Now, remember, Madge, no nom
sense" the president was putting
These young engineers are all right In
their places. But their places are not
as sons-in-law OF mine. Seems to me
you've been showing rather lively in
terest in young Grigsby."
Madge shifted, but made no reply to
her fathers admonitions. They were
an old tale, whose moral did not in the
least interest her. Her father took the
chaperonage of his pretty daughter
very seriously.
Jack Grigsby ran toward them with
barred head and outstretched hand. but
the president had little time to waste
on greetings
What In thunder is that mountain
OF rubbish built around the plant for 2"
he demanded.
Jack explained the mission Of his
cherished idea, but the president shook
his head.
Pooh, poohp' he scoffed. Fearful
looking mess. Better tear 1t out. Don't
need that to keep off little snow and
Ice"
Madge interposed tactfully. "Oh,
come on" she cried. 81 want to see
everything"
The three walked slowly over toward
the engine house, Jack explaining ca
gerly.
Where are all the men?" asked
Madge.
I'm the mine, even the engineer. We
are having some
The Oldest inhabitant grasped Jacks
arm.
For heavens sake" he gasped, "ring
the bell It's comm"
The three followed his gaze. Far up
the mountain, at the beginning of the
valley, a roar, and with the roar It
seemed as II the whole side of the
mountain was sliding down into the
valley-a great, gray mass. that gath
cred to itself all that barred its path,
huge trees, cabin-big stones, and al
ways with roar, increasing In volume
to the din of thousand trains.
1.-THE men are safest In the mines"
Jack cried.
He grasped Madge's arm, but the
Oldest inhabitant thrust him one side.
Manage the old man." he said; 'I1l
take the girl"
Then with his arm about Madge hs
ran with all his strength up the noun
tain side. Grigsby seized the presi-
dents arm.
Gomez be cried.
The president started out bravely,
but his weight told, and with the third
step he stumbled and fell. With each
heart throb the speed of the snowslide
was lessening their chances. Jack
tugged at the heavy old man. Now he
could see the powders that brldged the
front of the avalanche and now 1t had
taken the very tree to which was
pinned the fiuttering trespass warning.
With a superhuman effort Jack flung
the president out Of harms way. Then
he sprang himself, scarcely noticing a
heavy blow from a whixzing tree top.
In another moment the avalanche
was thing OF the past, and q great
swathe down the center Of the valley
was polished smooth as a macadam
road. With single glance to see that
Madge was safe, he called to the two
men and ran to the shaft opening. over
which the slide had passed. 1t was
choked with mass Of logs and Ice.
Find ropes" Grigsby cried-"any-
thing! The Lord knows how many
were In the shaftw
1t was an hour Of terrible toll, but
somehow the three accomplished me
task. With hands torn and bleeding,
painting and half crazed with fear for
those below, they toiled increasingly
the oldest inhabitant, with the strength
of a man twenty years his junior, his
white hair wet with perspiration; Grigs-
by, with pale, drawn face. and the
president peeled down to vest and
trousers, painting with the best OF
them.
Grigsby called down through the
opening, and the answer came back
faint but cheerfullyi