The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-26
EBENsBURG. PA, THURSDAY. OCTOBER 26, L

was when sister died how pleasant she was
all along until this city fellow came
But l cannot think she really likes him,
such mincing, sour-milk chap"
Suddenly a bell rang out aad disturbed
Johns meditations; then low, grating
sound, and the immense iron chain in the
centre of the track creaked, frightened,
and began to ascend slowly, while down
at the canal the heavy, broad car entered
the tunnel and came rumbling up the
tramway, slowly, but surely, drawn by the
omnipotent power of steam. On it came,
filling up almost entirely the narrow pas
sage, the sharp grating of its loaded
wheels striking horror to the souls of the
little group when the conviction of their
desperate situation flashed upon them.
With one accord they raised piercing
cry of distress, in the hope os reaching
the ears of the workmen above. All in
vain no sound was heard in reply but
the harsh grating of the iron chain with
its heavy load. Then they turned and
ran upwards, until gaspiug breath forced
them to pause and see, oh sight of hor-
ror! that the iron monster had gained on
them. The experience of John told him
could never reach the top before the heavy
wheels had ground them to pieces, and
tears of agony fell from his eyes as he saw
Lalla resign herself to such death with
that fearless composure which the weakest
of her sex often exhibit III the hour of
peril. Mr.. Davenport had sunk pale and
haggard to the floor, gazing with au idiot
lc stare al the approaching car, while
John glared wildly around, below, and
above. Suddenly he cried out
"Thank God, we are saved Daven-
port, do you see that rafter above? If
you can climb hand over hand to it, will
try to climb up the beam and raise Lalla
with me, and, together, with all our
strength, we may be able to hold her un-
til the car has passed by. 1t is cur only
chance. Hurry, man up with you p
With bound the lawyer sprang to the
beam, and, putting forth all his strength,
commenced crawling, clinging, hand over
hand, while great drops of perspiration
came dripping down on those beneath,
who stood waiting his allow progress with
breashless hope. For, with the words of
John, hope had again visited the despair
ing girl. and ali her bright young life rose
before her with glowing sweetness In
those dread moments all little disguises
slipped away, and her own true woman
hood shone out. Stealing up to John,
she STOOD close by his side, while he called
out to the climber above
THAT'S it ! up at last thank God =
Now, get up on that raiter and brace your
self twine your legs firmly around, and
be ready to hold Lalla when lif5 her up.
Why, where are you going, man? That's
the oest place; there is no time to lose !!
Here, Lalla, darling, tie your shawl around
your waist and give me the ends Now,
then, Davenport, are you ready!
And, looking up, they saw the man of
at the other side OF the building, climbing
still higher. and leaving his companions
to their fate.
"Man-devil," shouted John, twill you
leave us here to die 2"
No answer but a muttered curse. The
car was very near them now
81 could die bravely but for the thought
of you, my own darling" gaspei John,
claspiny Lalla in his arms.
Dropping her pale face on his broad
breast, Lalla whispered
81 always loved you, John. We will
die together!'
The bliss of those long coveted words
seemed to throw new life into Johns soul.
Placing Lalla behind him, he tied her by
her shawl to his shoulders, and bidding
her, in a hoarse whisper, to hold tight, he
commenced the ascent of that God-sent
BEAM Clinging with arms and legs. kis
hands all raw and bleeding, the blood
ringing and seething in his brain until his
ewes seemed starting from their sockets,
still he went on-inch by inch, with knot
ted muscles and unyielding sinews, slowly,
slowly-while ne0rer aud nearer came the
iron Juggernaut.
The blood ran off in great drops from
his lacerated body, and his nails turned
blue he could not stop to look down ;
only the loud, dreadful roll of the iron
wheels sounded like thunder in his ears.
LaIla's lips touched his neck as if in last
goodbye, and with one superhumau strain
he gained the rafter above. Dragging
himself higher by the strength of his
arms, Lalla, more dead than alive, was
able to seat herself partially on the beam
and slip off the knotted shawl, when the
car, passing underneath, struck heavily
against Johns hanging fee:, while with a
| piercing shrek Lalla threw her arms
around the ghastly face and bleeding
! shoulders raised above the rafter
An awful second passed, seeming like
hours to the straining muscles above, and
then tAe car passed on its dreadful way,
and John fell heavily to the floor, drag
ging 9alla with him. Falling upon her
preserver, she was only stunned, and, re-
/ onuerinu she rnshed down the tramHaV