Poetry.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 37, 9 December 1893, Page 3

Poetry.

PENNARBY MINE. (By A. Conan Doyle ) narby Shaft is dark and deep, ]Eight foot broad, eight hundred deep, 3Jougb the bucket and tough the cord. Strong as the arm of Wmchman Ford. Never look down : Stick to the line ! That was the saying at Pennarby Mine. A stranger came to Pennarby Shaft : lord ! to see how the miners laughed ! White in the collar and stiff in the hat, his shining boots and his silk cravat, Picking bis way. Dainty and fine, Stepping on tiptoe to Pennarby Mine. Touring from London —so he said ; Was it copper they dug for, or tin, cr lead f "Where did they find it ? How did it come ? JLf he tried with a shovel might he get seme ? Stooping so much Was bad for the spine ; And wasn’t it wainnish in Pennarby Mine ? 3 Twas like two worlds that met that day— The world of work and the world of play ; And the grimy lads from the reeking shaft Nudged each other, and'grinned and chaffed. “ Got ’em all out!” “ A cousin of mine ! Bo ran the banter at Pe: n irby M’ne. And Carnbrae Bob, the Pennarby wit, Told him the lacts about the pit: .How they bored the shaft till the brimstone smell Warned them off from tapping—well. He wouldn’t say what, But they took it as a sign To dig no deeper in Pennarby Mine. Then, leaning over and peering in. He was pointing out what he said was tin in the ten-foot lode—a crash, a jar, A grasping hand and a splintered bar : Gone in hit strength, With the lips that laughed ! Oh, the pale faces at Pennarby Shaft ! Tar down on a i arrow ledge They saw ,Idm cling to the crumbling edge. Wait for the bucket! Hi, man, stay! That rope ain’t safe ; it’s worn away ! He’s taking his chance! Slack out the line ! Sweet Lord be with them ! ” cried Pennarby Mine. “He’s got him ! He has him ! Pull with a will! Thank God ! He’s over and breathing still, And he Lord sakes, now ! What’s that ? Well, Blowed if it ain’t our London swell! Your heart is right If your coat is Sue ; Give us your hand !” cried Pennarby Mine.