National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-12-24

NOu, III HIS Iuuilllc IHtTCN, uiu
given to me the means of escape
from that living tomb. My hand
was grasping the short iron bar
which the boys had dropped into
the boiler! 1t was lying across some
of the stray rods which traversed
the boiler in all directions.
used it as a hammer against the
cast iron plate which covered the
man hole, one sharp blow, crack,
and a stream of binding light tell
upon my eyes. 1t was the rising
sun, for the back part of the boiler
looked toward the east. Two more
blows and the broken plate fell with
a splash into the water and left the
apperature open and clear for my
escape.
It is yet wonder to me that the
intense JOY that | experienced did
not kill me. With difficulty | crawl
ed through the opening, | staggered
toward the engineers room and
opened the door. The apartment
was trnantless; James had gone to
his breakfast. looked at the clock !;
it still lacked fifteen minutes to siX.
A strange thought flashed across
my mind. What if | should take
the spare man hole plate from the
storeroom and fix it into the apper
azure. have yet ten minutes time
Would not James think chat | was
still within the boiler?
| ran to the StOrerOOm and took
the plate from the shelf. 1t seemed
very heavy to me as carried it to
the back of the boiler; there | laid
it down and closely examined the
lead gasget which was around its
rim. Everything was complete with
the exception of putting on some
red lead. went back to the store.
room, got the little cask Of lead and
put some of it around the tow that
James had wound round the gasket
Then ! fastened the plate 10 the
lead apperature by means ofa clamp
and nut. While at work | heard
the voice Of the fireman. He was
/ swearing at the neglect of the watch
man III not lighting the fire. There
was no danger of my being detected.
1 He thought, as he afterwards told
me, that it was James making some
repairs. for he had heard the clank-
ng Of iron while he was employed
| ahnut hn tpruurn
1t was near six. and in q minute
more James would return from the
boarding house.that stood some dis
! tauce from the saw mill. | looked
about me. Near the boiler and close
to the steam guage was high shell
concealed by "A large beam. BY
/ jumping upon the boiler | could
reach the shelf ] was not min
ute too late. Scarcely was con-
cealed behind the beam before | saw
James enter the engine room. lie
looked very pale, and large black
circles were around his eyes, as If he
had passed a sleepleSs night.
There were no partitions between
the boiler and engine room. One
glance at the steam guage told hin
that the watchman had neglected
his duty. He rushed down the few
front steps in front of the furnace
and shouted 10 the fireman:
Quick Jim, throw more pitch pin'
slabs into the fire. Mr.. Smith vii
give us fits. Look lie is comm;
now to find out why haven't blow
the whistle
'Watchman's fault.grumblcd Jim
opening the doors and showing int,
the furnace a huge pile of shavingS
Mr.. smith then entered the fir
room, and lance explained 10 mn
why the steam was not high enough
to start the engine
George ought TO have fred up a
five, but he must have been slcepin!
at his post continued he.
Well said Minnc's iather,'I vii
tell Louis to pay him his wages an'
discharge him
When James heard my name men
toned, could see that he trem
bled from head to foot.
.By the way, where is Louis II
has not been here to breakfast, AN
he did not sleep III his room las
night said Mr.. Smith.
IL don't know, filtcrcd tn
guilty wretch turning away.
'lic said to the second sawyc
that he was going to S--upo
some business said jim, looking
up.
IAN right. Now Mr.. Alton, d
your best to get up steam as 500
~ possible, Tor every hour lost
money Olt of the companNS treas
ury,' said Mr.. Smith, leaving Tia
fire room.
felt faint and weary, yet | n
mained at my post. James wa
passing To and with rrstlcs
! steps. Once he ST. and LITE
! the safety valve from which no.
2 came "a sound like u sigh. Quickl
, he cropped the cord connected wit
! the lcver,and something like u groa
,, escaped from his half open moutI
lie then lit his pipe, but after ol
or two pulis he threw it upon
bench. Then again he resumed ii
! rapid walk. looked ut the stcal
! guagc. II indicated ten pound
7 pressure To the square incl. and VA
: rapidly rising. james stopped
j. his walk aud began to oiI the iou
nails of the engine. The ilrema
X had gone out OF the room. 'Now