The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-01-19
A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY.
LOCKED IN Il FREIGHT CAR.
Strange and Perflous Adventure OF
Boy OF Eleven Years.
Correspondence Of the New York Times
BryGHAMToN, n. T., January 10.

Clarence Shanks, was made the involuntary
hero OF most remarkable adventure day or
two since. He lives with his parents here,
and was sent on an errand on Friday last with
instructions to return nome immedlately. BE-
1Dg good and obedlent boy, his parents nat
urally became alarmed when evening drew
near, and he had not yet returned. Me5sen-
gers were dispatched In every direction,
streams were dragged, and every means taken
to obtain trace Of the missing boy-all to no
purpose. The search was kept mp all night,
and then given up in despair by the relatives
and friends. The, mother OF the boy was
almost crazed at his disappearance, and her
situation was becoming alarming, when about
seven o'clock Saturday evening the boy made
bis appearance, In an almost exhausted condi-
tlon, and exhibiting unmistakable evidence of
having endured great hardship during his two
days ABSENCE As soon as he was able he told
his story, which is substantially as follows:
When he went down town on his errand he
saw through the open door Of freight car,
quantity OF corn lying about the floor. he
thought here would be q good chance to OBJ
tain q nice meal for some pet chickens of his
at home and he climbed into the car and
commenced filling his pockets. While thus
engaged the door of the car was suddenly
closed aud fastened. The boy at once began
to cry and shout to make his situation known.
but to no purpose, and soon the train moved
off. He SAYS he first thought OF the effect his
disappearance would have on his parents, and
then began to conjecture how far he would
nrobably be carried before he could make his
presence In the cor known. 1t was pitch dark
In his moving prison, and he was bumped
around on the floor ike ball at every Jerk
and lurch of the train, there being nothing to
hold to. At times. he saye, he would be
thrown, with considerable force, against the
sides of the car, and he has great bruises on
his shoulders and hips as the consequence.
Scratches on different parts oil his person, and
the presence Of ugly looking spllnters, also
testify to the character of his experience on
this part OF his journey. The train, ne says,
stopped once before 1t made the stop when he
was discovered, and he did all in his power to
attract the attention. of some one about the
station. He shouted, pounded on the sides OF
the car, and fairly shrleked for assistance,
but without the desired effect. and he was
soon once more rolling and humping about
the car, on his way he knew not where. The
train finally stopped again, and the young
prisoner ascertained from the movements
be switched out of the turn, and he
saws he prayed that his car might be one
of them. His car was one OF them, and
when 1t was placed on the switch he suc-
ceeded, after lying there abont an hour, 10
attracting the attention OF man who was
passing the car. BE opened the door, and,
upon seeing the poor boy covered with dust,
In which the tears had cut deep traces down
the boys cheeks, trutally demanded, "What
the HI you doin' here?' Choking with sobs
the little fellow told his story, only to be iu-
formed that she'd better dig out, d-n quick -
BE then went to the depot building and asked
boy what place he was In, and how far 1t
was from BinghamtoD. The boy eyed him
suspiciously moment, and then told him he
mil
BfpghamtGfl. 1t was otter dark, and the un-
fortunate Clarence was In an entirely strange
place, without cent 10 purchase morsel to
eat or pay his way back home. Moreover,
the cruel rebuff OF the lrackman had disheart-
ened him, and he; could not summon courage
to ask assistance of any one. He obtained
Information of the boy, who had told
him where he was as to- q road which went
in the direction of Bfughamton, and, at
been quietly sleeping In bed If home, he
started on his way to the city, where his ago.
nized parents were searcing In all directions
for him. He had no dinner or supper, and the
panps of hunger began 10 assail him. These
he satisfied as we'll as he could by eating OF
the corn which he put In his pockets 10 the
morning, which act had placed him IN his
present unenviable situation. After Walking
about two hours, and passing many houses
where he could see tho CHEEKY lights and
children playing within, bringing the burn.
Inc tears afresh 10 his eyes, his strength began
to fall him, and he knew he must lie down
somewhere and sleep. 1t was very cold. and he
was almost numb with exposure. Coming
to house where 1t seemed kind people must
live, he made up his mind to go In aud beg q
supper and bed for the night. His mana
Was on the gate-latch, when fierce watch
dog came bounding at him and frightened
him away About mile further on he came
to a farmhouse, near to which, along the
road. was a small enclosure, In which was o
haysiack. and about 1t cattle feeding. The al
most frozen boy crawled into the hay, and, al
though suffering from hunger, he soon fell
asleep. He was awakened once or Twice by
mice running across his face, and by cattle
rubbing and pushing against the haystack;
He awoke early on Saturday morning, ana
upon crawling 10 the ground he found that his
feet were frozen, and he was 80 sti6ened
that he could scarcely walk. No one
was stirring about the farmhouse. He
breakfasted on raw corn. He met wagons
ON the road, but was overtaken by
but two, aud these were heavily loaded
aud their drivers walking, go lie did
not ask for ride. He passed through many
villages, but, although almost ialntlng Win
a mouthful to eat. All day he journeyed
along, suffering Intense physical and mental
agony, until, Just after dark, the lights OF q
large town came In sight, and he felt 1t must
be Binphamton. 1t was Blnghamton; and
about O'Clock he reached his fathers house,
more dead than alive. The boy tells bis story
in q very touching manner. HIS extraorolna.
ry experience has prostrated MIN on O PED OF
sickness, but he is rapidly recovering. Did
David Commercials famous journey 10 his
Amt BETSY Trotwood's ever before find so
naar q narallel