Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

Page 33 text:

There's nothing I can do, Lucille. They haven't broken through yet. His face was drawn, and his eyes were heavy. The dawn brought new courage, and Mrs. Martin fixed breakfast for her father and Joan. She tried to be cheerful as she spoke to her father. Surely they've found them now, Dad. Mr. Andrews shook his head slowly. I don't think so. They would have 'phonedf' Little Joan watched her mother's worried face, not quite sure what was happening. Mr. Andrews finished his breakfast, and then prepared to leave. Goodbye, dear, and be patient. Remember that you must not come out there. No matter what happens. As soon as he reached the mines, Mr. Andrews telephoned his daughter. They've broken through, Lucille, but they haven't found John yet. Oh, please let me come out there! You must stay there, Lucille. The ones being brought up now are badly hurt, but they were buried under the rocks. John's only danger is from the gas. When Mrs. Martin went out on the porch, she saw some friends at the house next door, crying and watching her. Fear clutched her heart as she whispered to herself, He's dead. I know he is. They know it too and they're afraid to tell me. Oh, dear God! Why don't they do something? Why do they just stand there? When the phone rang, she hurried inside and, lifting the receiver with shaking hands, waited breathlessly for her father to tell her what she already knew. His voice sounded miles away as he spoke slowly. Twenty-nine

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Mrs. Martin spoke with a trembling voice. Dad, I want to come out there. I can't stand just sitting here. No, you mustn't, Mr. Andrews said quickly. He knew only too well that his daughter could never bear up under the pitiful sight that had met his eyes: wives, mothers, children, all crowded around the cage. Some were crying hysterically, while others stood silently, their faces tense and white, waiting, waiting. Why don't you go over to Mary's? No, I don't want to talk to anyone. Promise me you'l1 let me know as soon as they find him? Of course, dear. Goodbye. Mrs. Martin turned slowly from the telephone, the words her father had spoken drumming through her brain. Gas! Men trapped! Haven't found them yet! When she reached the porch. Joan was curled up in the swing asleep. She's so young. How can I help her if anything happens to John? Brushing a curl from Joan's forehead, she settled back in the fast dimming twilight to wait. Hours passed. Why didn't they phone? Joan moved slightly, and then sat up rubbing her eyes. Hasn't Daddy come home yet? No, dear, but he will be here soon. Are you hungry? Yes, but I want to wait till Daddy comes. All right, Joany. We'll wait. At eight o'clock Mr. Andrews telephoned again. He said the men were still working to remove the rocks that were blocking the passage. At nine Mrs. Martin put Joan to bed. Twice the telephone rang, but both times it was only friends calling to see if John had been found yet. Finally Mr. Andrews came home. Twenty-eight

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They've found him, Lucille. Death beat them to the rescue. He's going to be all right now. Mrs. Martin dropped the receiver in its place and put her arm around Joan, who was standing by her. Daddy-. Joan knew instinctively that something had happened to her father. He has gone away for awhile. Isn't he ever coming back, Mommy? No, dear. But some day, if we're good, we'l1 see him again. Thirty