Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-01

up, and again we slackeued for few Sc
conds; but, all clear once more, and we were
dashing on, and fast getting into full swing
as rose up, and opening the door, stood
with the guard of the train.
Pooh nonsense !" he said. you're mad
shan't stop the train"
"Then shall" shouted, making towards
the wheel connected with the gong upon
the engine.
Not if 1 know it, you WON'T" he said,
stopping me.
l was too weak and done up to scuflle
with him.
"Will you come with me to the next car.
rage, then z" said. He only shook his
head.
"Wil you lend me your key 2" said for
had dropped my own when fell.
He shook his head again, and then it
struck me that perhaps he mi ght stop me,
seeing how rough and wild and excited |
looked. backed slowly towards the door,
facing him all the time. He told me after
wards, If he had not felt afraid he would
have pinned me while turned my back.
But didn't turn my back, and the next
moment was outside on the long step,
clinging to the door handle, and with the
guard leaning out and watching me.
Come back !" he shouted as we dashed
along at full speed now, rushing through
the. darkness ahead, and giving wild shrek
as we passed station, the lights looking
like one streak. There were the carriages
shaking and the wind tearing at me as if to
beat me off; but was recovering myself
fast and in few moments was at the end
of the guards van, leaning towards the car
riage / wanted to reach.
So far my task had been easy, though of
course, very dangerous, with the train dash
ing along at fifty miles an hour; but now
there was gap to pass between the van and
the carriage, for the buffers keep the carriages
at some distance apart. For few moments
stopped in dread, but, as / got my breath
more and more, courage and the recollection
of her wild appealing face came to me, and,
clinging to the buffers, contrived to get
one foot on to the 80 of the carriage, and,
still holding on by the iron, tried to get the
other there.
just then the train gave jerk, and
thought it was all over, but the next mo-
ment was on the step and had hold of the
door handle
"At last" muttered, ms drew myself up
on to the next step and tried the door, which
was, as expected, fast. Then looked back.
There was the guard, with half his body out,
and his hand screening his eyes, trying to
follow my motions but, with the darkness
all round, the snow cutting by like knives
and points, and the dense fog clouds we
kept entering, felt sure he could not see
me, though / could make him out from the
! light in his compartment. Then listened,
and my heart seemed to stand still; ; for ]
fancied could hear the sound of struggle
going on inside, though was not sure, from
the rattlipg made by the train. was rot
wasting time, for had tried to look in at
the window; and, after opening my knife
with my teeth, was trying to open the door.
But the interior of the carriage was dark as
pitch, and my knife was useless, while now
| was sure there was struggle going on in
side. Directly after, one of the little side
pancs of glass was broken, and heard a
faint cry.
dashed in the door window in an instant
cutting my hands with the thick glass, and
then, beating out the loose pieces, made @
place for entrance, and had half my body in
before felt myself seized by some one who
tried to force me back.
Two hands held me by the throat, while
grasped the door with one hand, half in anC
half out of the carriage. My blood was up
| had hold of my unseen enemy by the col
lar, and dug my knuckles into his neck "a
l held on for life like bull dog.
l had the advantage of him there, for
while had on stiff collar and buttoned- -uI
uniform coat, he had only thin dress shirt
collar, and one of those black wisps of ties
1t was struggle for life and death with me
but l got further and further in. At last,
suppose, feeling half choked he started bacl
and drew me with him, 80 tha: fell heavil,
on the floor.
Here, though, l lost my hold, and he hat
me again at disadvantage. For wha
seemed good five minutes, it was an VI
and down struggle, while more than once
felt myself dashed against somebody wh'
was crouching in a corner of the carriage.
Sometimes got the better and sometime
the worst off After the struggle had beer
going on some time, it seemed that the ia
door was open, and that there was no ont
else in the carriage but us two, hanging OF
to one another like pair of wild beasts
Then came such horrible reaction that m,
strength seemed to leave me, for felt tina
in her fear and dread the poor girl haC
leaped out
But she had not, for she was outside cling
ing for life to the handles, as in one brie
glance saw by the end light of the trail
flashing upon her In last fierce struggl
my foot tripped, and l and the man | wa
struggling with tell headlong out of tn
door. There was flash of light, the soun,
of rushing wind, and then seemed to b
dashed with fearful violence upon tn
ground.
The next thing recollect is the sound O
voices and the Kissing of the steam of a
engine close by me, while some two or thre
people were moving about with lanterns.
found some one supporting my head an
then gave a shldder, for there were horr
BILE red patches and marks on the whit
| ground. AS the men spoke in whisper,
could see they were collecting together SOM
t thing horrible, that steamed in the cold al
A mist came over me, and tainted dea
t away.
, When could think again, found that
2 had been some time in London hospi.a
| and was lying there in ward, looking at
pair of soft white hands that didn't seem
| belong to me, while my head felt coo
, through my hair being cut OF.
b But got stronger every day, and soon
|. had visitors to see me, and one face tha
s came, and used to lean over my poor Lar
c pallet, was, as it were, the face OF an ang.
/. $50 sweet, SO loving, and so tender IN II
!. compassionate look and once, whiie IN
e old lady stood back, two tiny, sol, hanu
a smoothed my pillow, and tear ieii Oh !"