Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-03-21

bWOnard's was IN progress Ffetty
Ann Swoifard was boiling the sorghum
and whom the kettle was ready to be
taken from the fire the girls two
lovers stood ready to assist her. one
on either side. zeke Pondley was
big, broad.shouldere handsome fel.
low, but there was Just little some
thing wanting in his character. Lige
Burton was awkward. honest and
ugly. Ann was deeply agltated over
the situation. She glanced quickly
from one to the other Of the rivals,
then hesitatingly turned toward Zeke.
Lige's eyes fell. and he felt sudden
sickness at heart. But he arose and
his frame grew wonderfully erect for
a moment. as zeke removed the kettle
from the fire.
After the contents Of the kettle had
been distributed, then men began to
choose partners for the pulling. Ann
was trembling. She feared a repeti-
ton Of the thing which had happened
at the fireplace, and she dreaded It.
She was not ready to make so pointed
a decision; for she had learned to rely
upon Lige Burton's friendship, though
she admired Zeke Psndley's good
looks. But fate was q guest Of the
candy breakin', and before Ann could
realize how 1t had happened again she
was standing between zeke and Lige
land both were asking her favor at
the same time. Ann was ready to
burst into tears: but biting her lip
hard TO suppress its Quivering, she
gave her hand to Zeke.
WAS 1t YOU that spoke irstf she
asked.
But It was Lige who answered her
question, as he thrust his hands into
his pockets and sadly turned away.
Eyes, Ann" he said, Il reckon zeke
was ahead O me-"
The moon had climbed far over the
mountain when Lige left Amos Swof-
fard's. He was the first Of the guests
to depart, and he crept along up the
trail in no hurry to get home.
Lige Burton and zeke Rendiey were
foremen at the Clay Hill mines, and
vhey had to use considerable argument
to induce some members Of their re-
spective squads to follow them into
the old Hellshole tunnel which had
been reopened on the morning after
the candy bealking at Amos Swoffard's.
This tunnel had been abandoned two
years before on account Of its flooding
from an underground stream which
had been tapped But the company
had Installed powerful pump which
had the capacity Of relieving the tun-
mel Of over 5000 gallons Of water per
minute. Az long as this pump was
working the stream could be turned
up through the deep shaft and out
upon the side OF the mountain, leav-
ing the men to work in safety.
Only a few days after the opening
Q sudden thrush Of water submerged
the feet Of the miners, and q great
shout came down the shaft: ALI hands
out Of the Hellshole!"
The big new pump. for some unac-
countable reason, had stopped work
ing, and the mine was fast becoming
flooded. The ore bucket came rafting
down the shaft and the men, three at
time, began to ascend. The two
foremen brought up the rear Of the
procession.
Up went the bucket second time
and when It descended again the
water had reached the mems waists.
At the third descent Zeke Pendley
made movement to crowd through
the other miners toward the tub but
Lige seized his arm.
I'VE go up last, Zeke." he said; i
don't reckon ye ever hyeard Of a cap
tain q Quittin' his sinkin' ship till
every man was of, did YET"
Zeke fell back and the tub arose
and descended once more. Again and
again the ore bucket rose with it's hui
man freight, and descended empty; |
and in the meantime those still walt
ing had been swept on Of their feet
at the bottom Of the shaft and were
struggling hard to keep their heads
above water. And the cramp was
slowly stealing upon their limbs.
"The man at stays here much
longer will have to be lshed out
zeke, as once more he made
an effort TO reach the bucket ahead
Of some Of his fellows.
@Well, we're goin' to risk IT," said
Iige, again restraining his fellow fore
man, while sustaining himself in the
water.
Like drowning rats In rain barrel
ave men at the bottom Of the shaft
struggled almost hopelessly and wait
ID for another descent Of the tub. The
dragged and presently one
head sank beneath the water with
yurgls In the throat Ldge Burton fol-
owed. But he rose asaiA supporting |
III fellow, thus sharing the little
strength remaining to Inn
7 persuaded ye in here. little 'un."
le murmured. ~an' I'm goin' 10 glve
re the MT n ! car"
The tub descendsd. Liee managed
o catch the rim. and, pullins q down.
one Of the last struggling
nluers 70 gst into Il This the man
~ ...sth llaa...if~ froron ana ntln a