In the Mine

Will and his friend were looking for work. They saw an ad in the paper. It said, “Good jobs! Good pay! Work in the mines of Montana! Apply today!”

Will and his friend called the mine. The mine said they had work if the boys wanted to work.

They each packed a small bag. They got into Will’s car and drove to Montana. Will got a job driving a train in the mine. Billy got a job loading sand.

Every night they started working at 6 P.M. They went down into the mine. They rode in a small box with no windows. Each boy brought a lunch. They each wore a helmet and a jacket.

Will had to work with Billy. Will drove the train. Billy put the sand on the cars that Will pulled with the engine.

Billy opened the chute and filled each car with sand.

Will drove the train to the spot that had been dug out. The ore was gone. The miners had sent it to the top of the mine. He poured the sand in the hole, and he added water. He and Billy packed the sand. They packed it so the mine would not cave in. The sand would keep the city from sinking into the ground.

It was a cold job. The tunnels had no light. Will used the light on his helmet to see where to drive. Billy zipped up his jacket. They worked hard and fast.

Billy opened and closed the chute. He put sand in the cars. Will drove the train. All night they worked. When the sand was gone, it was time to go home for the night.