Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1872-10-19
ALEXANDRIA La SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 1872.

a passing train. There was heavy
freight train due from the west about
six O'clock, and resolved to wait ct
least until it came; and il. it passed
over in safety, there. could be, 1
thought, but little danger Of accident
to the lighter passenger train.
"In due time it came thundering
along, and passed safely over the
bridge. But, though it might have
been owing to my excited imagination,
it seemed to me that the bridge bent
and shook beneath the weight of the
train in manner highly suggestive
of danger. At all events, I resolved
to wait while longer, and see if the
stream, which was still rising,
would have any apparent effect upon
the bridge. / took with me a lantern,
and also thick blanket to protect
me from the damp air.
"Shortly after sunset, as was sit
ting a few rods from the stream, /
heard a loud splash, and, hurrying to
the bridge, I saw that a portion of the
bank, ON the opposite side, had broken
away, and also that the action of the
water, Or some other cause, had weak
ened the foundations of the bridge, in
such a manner that a portion of the
track was bent and lowered enough
to make it impossible for train to
cross. l Immediately crossed the
bridge, resolved to stop the train if
possible, before it reached the bridge,
and certain destruction.
swell, to make long story shprt,
1 went on in the direction from which
the train was to come, and soon found
a place which commanded a good
view of the track for q considerable
distance. I lit my lantern, wrapped
my blanket closely. around me, and
sat down to my wearisome vigil of
two hours. The night was clear, but
not very dark, though no moon was
shining. 1 suffered none from cold,
as 1t was remarkably warm, even for
the climate of Virginia, and I-succeed-
ed in keeping awake, though the task
was difficult one.
"Slowly the moments passed by,
but at last 1 saw by my watch thatth
time had nearly expired, and few
minutes would decide the fate of the
train and its human freight. Soon
saw a light, far away and very small
at first, but rapidly growing larger
and brighter. i arose, trembling with
excitement, and commenced swinging
the lantern above my head; and, as
the train drew near, redoubled my
exertions, and shouted loud as could.
"Onward came the train at a rapid
speed. 1t was a time of terrible sus.
pense to me. Should the engineer fail
to see my signal, or not see it in time
to stop the train before going few
rods past me, I knew that no human
power could save it. On it came, and
Q, Joy tinspeakable ! just as I gave up
my exertions, and stepped from the
track, my frantic signals were observ-
ed, and the whistle was sounded,
arousing the sleepy brakemen like an
electric shock, who few quickly to
their stations.
"The train was quickly stopped, and
l then informed the engineer and con-
ductor Of the danger ahead, while the
frightened passengers left the cars and
gathered around me. Many a brave
man grew pale when he learned what
a fearful death he had so narrowly es-
capped.
"Amohg the passengers I found my
wife, not mangled and lifeless. but
alive and well, though somewhat
frightened, and good deal surprised
st seeing me. The conductor took me
on board, and then had the train back
ed to the station it had just left, from
which kilograms were sent to warn all
other trains of the danger.
ain tie morning my wife and took
the stage for home. / have but little
more to add, except that the company
insisted upon making me handsome
present, and also gave me a free pass
over the road. do not pretend to be
able to explain this dream, which was
certainly a remarkable one, though
doubtless no more so than others conId