The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-08-31

opposite direction, and which might no
see in time to avoid. | had, however
taken the precauton to ascertain Nat n,
train was expected to pass along the u
line, over which | was proceeding, for a
bout two hours but was aware tha
that could not be depended upon; ant
therefore | resolved to keep a good look
out ahead. Along the doUn line, knew
thata passenger train was shortly to pass
indeed, it was now even due but by
keeping the opposite line of rails felt ]
was safe, so far as that was concerned.
= q had never been in tunnel of sucl
length as this before, and | confess fell
somewhat dismaycd when the light which
had accompanied me so far into the en-.
trance, began to grow fainter and fainter
After walking for short distance, l pro-
ceeded on in almost total darkness. Be.
hind me there was the distant light stream.
ing in at the tunnel mouth before me al
most impenetrable darkness. But, by
walking in a straight line, knew that l
could mt miss my way, and the rails be-
tween which walked, and which occa-
sionally touched with my feet, served to
keep me in the road. In short time |
was able to discern a seeming spot of
light, which gradually swelled into a
broader gleam, though still at great dis.
tance before me and | knew it to be the
opening of the nearest shaft. 1t was a
mere gllmmer amid the thick and almost
palpabIe darkness which enveloped me.
AS | walked on, | heard my little dog
painting at my heels, and the sound of my
tread re echoed from the vaulted roof
Save these sounds perfect silence reigned.
When stood still to listen, heard dis
tinctly the loud beating of my heart.
A startling thought suddenly occurred
to me What if a goods train should
suddenly shoot through the tunnel, along
the line on which was proceeding, while
the passenger train, now due, came on in
the opposite direction. Ihad not thought
OF this before and yet l was aware that
the number of casual trains on well-fre-
quented railway is very considerable at
particular seasons Should l turn back?
reach the mouth of the tunnel again, and
wait until the passenger train had passed,
when | could then follow along the DOZEN
line of rails-knowing that no other train
was likely to follow it for at least full
quarter of an hour?
But the shaft, down which the light
now family Streamed, was nearer to me
than the mouth of the tunnel, and re-
solved, therefore, to make for that point,
where there was, knew, ample room
outside of both lines of raj! to enable me
to stand in safety until the down train had
passed. So | strobe on. But low hol-
low murmur, as ifof remote thunder, and
and then distant scream, which seemed
to reverberate along the tunnel, fell upon
our ears-doubtless the passenger train
which had been expecting entering the
tunnel mouth. But looking ahead at the
same time, discened through the CLEAN
of daylight, at the bottom of the shaft to-
wards which l was approaching, what
seemed spark of fire. 1t moved could
it be one of the laborers of whom I was
in search ItincreaSed! For an instant
| lost it. Again This time it looked
brighter. A moaning, tinkling noise
crept along the floor of the vault. IStood
still with fear, for the noise of the train
behind me was rapidly increasing; and
turning for an instant in that direction, l
observed that in was in full sight. lcould
no longer disguise from myself that |
stood full in the way of another train, ad-
vancing from the opposite direction, The
light before me was the engine lamp. 1T
was now brilliant as a glowing star-and
the roar of the wheels of the the train
was now fully heard amidst the gloom
it came on with velocity which seemed
to me terrific.
"A thousand thoughts coursed through
my brain on the instant. | was in the
way of the monster, and the next moment
might be crushed into bleeding fragments
The engine was almost upon me ! l saw
the cleaning face of the driver, and the
glow of the furnace flashing its lurid light
far along the lower edge of the dense vol
umes of steam blown from the engine
chimney. In an instant prostrated my.
self on my face, and lay there, without
the power of breathing as | felt the en-
gine and train laundering over me. The
Iow.hung ash-box swept across my back;
felt the heat of the furnace as it flashed
over me, and a glowing cinder was drop
ped near my hand but l burst not move.
| felt as if the train was crushing over me.
The earth yibrated and shook, and the
roar of the wagon-wheels smote into my
ears with a thunder which made me fear
their drums would crack. clutched the
earth, and would have covered and shrunk
into it if could. There was not a fibre
of my body that did not feel the horrors
of the moment and the dreadfuneSs of
the situation. But it passed. With a
swoop and roar the break-van, the last
in the train, flew over me. The noise of
the train was still in my ears, and the aw-
full terror of my situation lay still heavy
on me. When raised my head and
looked behind, the red light at the tail Of
the train was already far in the distance.
As for the passenger train, it had also
passed but had not needed it, though
| It had doubtless added 10 the terrific noise
which for some time stunned me.