Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1868-07-24

myself of il, rose and crept forward 0s |
quickly as my bruised limbs would allow. |
l had Travelled, as nearly as l could guess,
about a hundred yards, when again the |
rope began to move, and I stood and
waited. But this time had not the same |
chilling fear, for thought it unlikely that
two trains would again pass me at the
same time, and the danger had escaped
made me confident. Once more, the dis-
tant light appeared and grew in sizes but
now there was no light in the opposite OIL.
rection, and l crept down to the edge OF
the safe rails, and watched the engine
dropping cinders, and the brightly-llt car
riages as they approached, dashed past,
and disappeared. When they were gone,
| suddenly recollected my testing. instru-
ment, and remembered the use 1t might
have been to me butin my cropping had
dropped it, and now only held the dark
lamp. Still grasping 1t, l pushed for
ward.
How long played at this game of hide
and-seek with Death cannot tell. Train
after train came from the blocked-up lines
above and from the station below and as
each approached, slid down to the oppo-
site rails, and watched it until 1t had van
ished. Then 1 resumed my weary, weary
walk.
At last the sicldy daylight at the bottom
| of the ventilating shaft came into view.
! As had come, / had been glad to see this
place; but now hailed it as haven OF
rest and safety The light was dim, but
it was daylight which, never hoped to see
again. The walls were damp and dirty /;
| but they were far from the rails and ropes,
and near them l could be secure.
| Again the wheels were changing in their
sockets, as the ropes sped over them; but
now that could see, sprang over both,
and leaned myself against the sooty wall.
| In minute or two, heavy train shot out
into the light, and then again plunged into
the tunnel After that, there was long
pause. l expected that the ropes would
begin to run again, but they never stirred
| But although thoy were still, heard the
heavy painting of an engine slowly labor
ing UP the incline, and making the arched
roof echo, At length it crept out of the
gloom, and stopped before me. l was
saved .fjs .. ...l
Eager faces were looking over the side,
and ere the wheels had ceased to revolve,
the burly station-master sprang to the
ground. smiled as best could, and tried
to rise, but my bruises had become still,
and found it impossible.
"Don't STIR" exclaimed the station-mas
ter. "For Gods sake don't stir !"
Then he lifted me up in his arms, and
turned to the stoker.
"Bill. knock the head off that bottle OF
brandy, and give me some OF it in your
tin"
Bill did as he was bid, and the generous
LIQUOR quickly brought back my stagger
ing energies. Refreshed and strengthen
ed, was able to use my limbs somewhat
| 1loA 1o oi1 of /
soon seated on the foot plate of the engine
As we moved off, / heard the station-mas
, tier begin to tell me why l had been lost
, and how came to be found.
He had waited for me until he imagined
t, must either have left the tunnel by tn
I. upper end, or have gone home through tn
station unperceived. Then he had dis
7 patched his long delayed mail, and ha
: thought no more about me, until the guar
Z of the last down train had told him tha
!, there was ghastly man at the ventilatin
J shaft. In moment the true state of tn
y y case flashed upon him. He ran to the II
\ freshment room, got bottle of brandy
g unlocked the engine from train read
, to start and came in search of me. llH
| heard him say all this, and in sort {
4 way understood him but my thought
= were busy, and as his voice was browne
n III IuG IdJLlC VI bllC WuCClei \ puAhON -
= face in my hands, and poured out NJ
y whole soul in thanksgiving
, When we reached the station, the cal
:, men and porters gave me lusty cheer
= :, and the folks in the train started at IL
Il scared-looking man who was the object
n n their welcome, Many willing hands he'll
= = ed me to descend, and supported me to
. cab in which was sent home under Il
,o charge of ticket collector, who present(
T me, tattered and dirty, bruised and blee
y ing to the gaze of my astonished landlad
7 as the august sun was setting.
Of Jacob Voosh was very penitent WHIT
" he heard the story, and showed his pei
ne tence by being moderate in his libatio
for at least q whole week. but made
v. VOW that would never become an an
ie teur linesman, and have kept it. A SOU
rd sleep, and little subsequent nursing, so
Nv restored me to my usual health a
he serenity of nerve but to this day keep
ed Ear as / can from trains in motion, q
el, have horror Of tunnels. - Otdn1be
nd Journal.