DIGGING A HOLE TO HE AVEN COAL MINER BOYS S D Nelson A ABRAMS BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS NEW YORK
Millions of years ago during a time called the Car boniferous Period lush forests grew in tropical wetlands Over time the trees and other plant life died and collapsed oventually becoming covered by layers of mud Gradually the buildup of earth pushed the dead plants downward and slowly the plant matter was compressed into coal Humans first burned coal for warmth and for cooling Today coal is used to fire the furnaces that produce electricity and power factories The most economical way to mine coal is on the surface using a technique called open pit mining But in this story coal is mined underground by shaft mining Fossil of Pecopteris a fern from approximately 300 million years
Clomp clack clomp clack The mule pulled the coal cars down the track into the yawning darkness Her worn cars like fingers brushed the low ceiling as she felt her way ahead Conall his face black with soot rode on the front bumper of the empty car The only light came from the yellow flame of his oil headlamp The twelve year old boy kept a sharp eye out and ducked whenever an overhang loomed out of the darkness The stout timbers that supported the tunnel groaned and sometimes shifted The massive mountain seemed alive forever leaning in upon
