Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-11-06


Ing million times Il second. WA,
numb, tortured, deliriouS w.. fever
shaking with n chill.
| saw Jack ut Intervals. In thlt
awful first instant he Il 'd r..tiIGuiShcl
the gas, but the moon and the dawn
shonc dmly. in which his face half
showed. Here and there the shadows
shifted, rose ana fcll-wAvc shadows.
From above, from below. from every
side came a grinding, shattering, roar
ing, like Il hundred trains crossing il
hundred bridges. Then followed the sill
very rattle of breaking glass, the thun-
derous crash of walls, wild screams
that grew feeble, ceased, then silence.
ran to a window, but could see
nothing but dust, dust. 1t shut out the
day and the moon. | groped back into
the room. Jack was standing in the
open door, twisting and untwisting his
soft felt hat
Earthquake. My Cod he cried in
a hoarse whisper
tried to speak. but my tongue was
frozen. | reached out my hand and
touched his coat felt the warmth of
his body and laughed like n child that
feels the pressure of its mothers kiss
in the dark.
He clutched my arm. Come he
cried. Come! 1t was savage cry.
yet trembling with agony.
"Wherc:' | asked. I was frightened
at my own voice.
Amy" he cried. "Merciful God.
Amy"
We went down the stairs -Stagger-
ing, falling, struggling, we went down
the stairs lie was the first In the
street, | after him. He led the way.
and | followed Over piles of brick
and iron, through dust that chokcl
and blinded. we ran. The streets were
full of people, running like we We're.
But there was no word spoken, save
only the cry Of some one under wall
or the grooming Of n mother to a child
in her arms.
| was beginning to breathe once
more and to get a new grip on life
when again came the rumble and roar,
and the earth trcmbled In its agony.
Tall buildings leaned till they all but
touched could see but a narrow
line of sky between. I thought they
would fall and crush me. but | didn't
care didn't care for anything. |
wanted to laugh. thought if didn't
laugh I'd die But | didn't ran. l
could hardly keep on my feet. l
seemed to be stumbling over ridges OF
earth that sank ont of sight when
stepped on them.
Jack kept right ahead of me- but
presently he stopped so suddenly that
ran into him.
"Oh," he said. Il can't leave them
there" His face was pale as death.
Anxiety burned in his eyes, but
great pity tremblcd in his voice.
Cant leave whom?' | gaSped. but
already he had turned back.
/ followed, and we came to frail
woman sitting on the curbStone. In
her arms was a baby. At her knee
was a little girl The girl was crying.
On the womans face was the paleneSs
of utter exhaustion, on her lips was
n prayer, and in her eyes, resting on
her children. the deep pain with which
love embitters despair.
Madam" he said, you will let US
help YOU"
She looked at him, in her eyes
blessing worlds could not purchase.
He clasped the baby in his arms and
motioned for me to take the girl.
Then, with his strong hand grasping
the woman's arm we hurried away.
Three blocks distant a man bolted
into us-a large, broad shouldered man
with CRIME on his hands and grease
and dirt on his face that shone pale
beneath. The woman threw her arms
about the mans neck and sobbed, and
the man took Jacks hand and held 1t
for an instant, then reached forth his
arms for the babe. Jack kissed the
child and handed 1t to him and stood
looking at ii wistfully until they were
swallowed by the throng.
We passed a church. The door was
open. A few candles burned dimly.
Without on the stone steps a black
robed priest stood, crucifix in air,
chanting. About him few OF the
1dltn1ul kllel. Ills Dldck locks were
blowing in the rising breeze. His eyes
were upturned. Upon his calm face
was written, Peace, be still"
So we came to corner, where Jack
paused and caught my arm. His face
was without color, ghastly in the
weird light OF the new day. His voice
was scarcely more than n whisper.
His eyes shone like those of one who
has staked his last cent upon the turn
of wheel and knows the issue is life
or death.
Tom" he cried. "look. | cannot!
/ cannot" He covered his face with
his hands. He was trembling. A child
ran past crying for its mother.
Look where?" | asked
He glanced at me dumbly and raised
his hand to his head, then lowered it,
! 4 red blotch CLEANED duly on his
brow at the edge of his hair. His fin
gers were red.
"Tom"-he was OH his knees, grip