Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-09-17

! The boy was doing all that could be
done. He had done some mighty quick
thinking, too. The rope az once to sup-
port her. She could cling to that til
the ladder came. Then II the internal
wen that had trapped her was not too
deep the long ladder and the rope COM
bined would get her to the surface.
I Michael Clark knew ali about those
I old country wells which were such a
menace to the region. Wells dug per-
/ maps 100 years ago, then boarded over
! when water was piped into the farm,
and long since forgotten. Covered with
earth and sod there was nothing 20
] suggest their presence TIL the stout
boards rotted away and the cavein oc-
/ CURED. Five years ago woman neigh
! Dor OF the Clark's had been drowned
IN Just such a trap Michael thought
/ Of that now and brought out strang-
/ led groan.
Suddenly he heard from the rear OF
/ the house the sound Of the megaphone
I that summoned the men from the
+ fields. The boy again. He had stopped
I just long enough to take 1t from its
/ place on the back veranda and blow
/ 1t res0undingly. But why didn't he
bring the cook and the dairy maid?
Mentally Clark answered his own
question. 1t was four In the afternoon
NAAC &AQQA NA4LAA Alt4A HOtA2@4A WEEE I'D
stairs IN their rooms, taking their little
breathing spell before the supper rush.
Just the same that horn would bring
Them sending out it's frantic summons
at this unusual hour.
But why. why didn't the boy come
with the ladder? Clark himself was
still choking and gaSping In his efforts
to shout. It was all he could have done,
yet he couldn't do even that
There were no sounds now from that
CHASTITY pit Would the boy never
conner But he was coming now, breath
less and painting. dragging the long,
light ladder after him . FranticaIly,
vainly, Michael Clark struggled to rise
and sank back with another groan
Then he saw the cook and dairy maid
hurrying after the boy and heard the
youngsters voice again.
Here's the ladder, Mrs. CLARK, and
three Of us to help you. I'm going to
put 1t right down awful slow and care
ful so I won't hurt you. Look out for
It. Perhaps you can push 1t with one |
hand and keep 1t away from you. Per-
haps you can help me to get 1t firm
We're going to get you out Of there
quick. Ellen and Katie are here and |
the men are coming"
Ellen and Katie were hurrying
toward the pit, eager 10 help but look
ing TO the boy for guidance. The foolsl |
In the despair of the moment Michael +
Clark found his voice at last.
Keep away. Don't get too close, or
you'll all go down."
The boy had forgotten that cne point.
The women fell back to a safe distance.
Terry held the ladder upright on the
ground and slowly edged IL forward,
cautiously advancing with It, testing
every inch OF progress. Near the edge
he stopped, edged the ladder forward
with the greatest care, got It over the
edge and inch by inch let it down.
by God, the fellows q wonder"
CLARK reflected. II couldn't do It better
myself" The young voice came TO him
again.
IAN right, Mrs. Clarke"
Hollow sounds came from below. The
boy was lying fiat now, as near the
edge as he dared go. Only about six
feet of the long ladder was left above
she surface. Michaels heart stopped
again. If that ladder wasn't long
enough 1. If that well was 80 or 40
Ieet deep as the Johnson's well had
The boy was thinking Of that too.
Ilowly, and for the first time the young
'oice shook.
Can you feel the bottom with it,
.drS. CLARKE Keep back, Ellen and Kate.
How about it, Mrs. Clarke Ellen, run
IND get another piece Of clotheslfne
md make slip moose at one end. Make
t strong. Katie, go and see II the men
re coming? Blow the horn again.
1urryl"
So the ladder wasn't long enoughl Or
vas It? Anyway, the boy was doing all
hat could be done, God bless him. He
vas getting some response from Mary,
- from the old wen II was pretty
lear that the ladder wasn't long
nough Still, the men would be
ere In another minute or two, and
Hen and Katie were running fun
peed toward the house
Michael Clark set his teeth and lived
through the most terrible eight seconds
his life. Then Ellen was back with
lore rope, and the sound Of heavy run
ing feet and gasping breaths came
round the house as Nolan and Ander-
IN appeared. The last thing Michael
smembered was Terry's caution to
lem to slow up and mind their steps
they came toward the edge Of the
'sBurkes or no Burkes," Michael told
Is wife the next day, that lads the
nd we need around farm. Use your
Ill, Mary. What's the use OF being q
ember Of the board If you can't adopt
I orphan prodigy when you find one?
Ell give that kid the best education
oEey can buy along farming and
ock Lines, and in about 10 years he'll
} ready 70 run the farm. How about =
old girl2"
Seated IN an arm chair beside him
ID wrapped IN q rug, @the old girl"
ailed wanly. She had been ia That
III only six minutes and so seconds
together, but the doctor predicted
at Il would take her several weeks
get over the nervous shock. Just the
me, some Of her pep was already
ming back.
Wen get him." she said, and her
8 set. Sister Veronica is devoted to
m. She'll want him to have his
Anc@"
lchael grinned. When Mary looked
e that she usually had her way.
Terry came out ON the vexanda car
4