University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-11

81 Liltic lOu. Dut pity Is always
Igreater force than ridicule. and pigm!
size saved him. He was forgotten il
the rush to the cage, which drops eigh
men 155 feet and makes them feel tha
they are bounced back a part of the
distance
The two brothers stayed together
and got a safe place in the center o
the cage. They left the silvery twi
light for iEky blackness, darkness in
tensified by the stiffness of the falling
and suspended cage. The sensation Ol
falling a. imagined in sleep became
real. Breatnlessness, heart flutters
and a peculiar thrill that fascinates
and frightens caused an instructive
clutch for the older brothers arm. The
speed increased, and Little Toms
feet seemed to spread from under him.
Dazzling points of flittering light from
moving pit lamps were seen as soon as
the "sunp" was reached.
They were pushed aside in the rush
for ride TO the rooms" mile away.
Lamps were lighted, giving a wierd,
animal-like appearance to the receding
forms as they disappeared in the entry.
A waiting string of miniature cars
stood short distance away on the
main track, The brothers stepped in
to car, seated themselves on the pro-
jecting edge. and bended forward to
prevent contact with the crossbeams
overhead and the electric motor start
ed with Jerk which threw them back
ward. Lights were put ou. or placed
in the bottom of the car. Blue and
green electric flashes cracked from the
trolley and showed an occasional
glimpse of miners huddled behind
props at the side of the track, safe
from a horrible death under the
wheels of this mile-a-minute speed
demon.
Here was none of the monotOny
which Tom loathed. Here were men
riSking their lives minutely, yes, sec
Ondly for a chance to work; men who
had once become imbued with the in
dependence of working without the in
reference OF foremen, who never be-
came satisfied with anything else. The
danger seemed to make them think
more of life itself. They enjoyed life
because of the danger of losing it.
The end Of the run came also with
a jerk. Lamps were lighted, and min
ers were swallowed by the different
sub-entrieS. Tom. white-faced and
trembling, ignored the jibes of the nip
per boys and mule drivers and fol-
lowed his brother down a lower entry
of irregular sides and overhanging
drawslate. A hard bump with the
head, and a ton of the waiting roof
might crush him. The air was cool
and soothing. but cold perspiration
and shivers were not caused by the
air. Had he been able to talk CO.
herently, he would have admitted that
ne vas cOnstitutionally scared.
The silenr brother led him on over
gummy, muddy track which ran past
the room. They came to their switch
on which two empties stood, and en-
tered. Everything was in disorder
from the shots of the night before
Props were scattered, chunks of "gob"
or drawslate lay on the coal, boulders
of coal as large as four men had been
thrown fifteen or twenty feet toward
the entrance OF the room. By tapping
about with q pick, his brother in
learned that the roof was
not safe. An experienced miner in a
majority of cases loses his life in
replacing props. Tom didn't know
this. but he knew every detail of his
mornings experience. His instincts
were working overtime Bending at
an angle Of about forty degrees does
mt help reserve nerve either. He
dropped to chunk of coal by the
side of the empty car, drew a troubled
breath, and tried to keep back his
Il was as difficult as pre-
venting eruption from cigar sickness.
He blurred:
Say, I'm not feeling well today and |
i thought these walls were higher
It's long ways out here. and I'm |
not used to such fast joy ridin'. and |
well, believe there's more in print
ng anyway"
The older brother was not listen
ng His head was turned away. He /
aid smilingly:
"All right, Tommy. bein' as got
| visitors permit for you, you can
tay today and watch me, and go back
o the print shop in the morning"
c. A. b.
TT NJ n I Il