The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-07-13

to have our lives There's one chance
for US, and I'm going TO try it. If can
reach the locomotive, and choke the life
out of him, we may be saved yet !"
Ii was a desperate risk. If | hadn't
had an old mother, and there had been no
Belle to think of, l don't believe j SHOULD
have had the courage to take il. To get
the engine, l had TO climb TO the top of
the caboose, cross q corner of the roof, GO
down the ladder in front, and jump over
the couplings. 1t was easy enough tc get
to the top Of the car. in spite of its violent
motion, of the fierce wind shd binding
snow, because there were rungs for the
purpose; but crossing the roof was another
matter.
i threw myself on my stomach, and
crawled forward, sliding this way and
that with the fearful swnying. If ever
prayed in my life, l did then, you bet, for
/ had nothing TO take hold of but the
Lords mercy, till made desperate clutch
! at the brake, and caught il, Just as the
caboose gave a jump that threw me boldly
off the roof Then swung myself over,
and went down the ladder.
Leaping on the tender vas another
sickening risk but it was matter of life
aud death, and dared not hesitate. so
jumped blindy forward, and caught the
/ knob ofthe cab-doOr by the nerest chance.
Joe had his back turned toward me.
Hs was watching the indicator, and whist
ling like mad. j hoped TO spring on him
| unawaIes but he heard me open the
door, and turned with a wild howl, that
rings in my ears yet. got one blow at
him that covered his face with blood, and
then we closed.
You say that I am q strong man, | am
strong-stronger than any man ! ever
| compared arms wiuh-but needed all my
strength in that tussel He was no chicken
| himself, and he had madness TO help him.
My only chance was to stun OF kill
him, and / had only few seconds to do
it in. The worst of it was, | had uo
weapon. He carried an unopened clasp
knife in his hand. | wrenched this from
him, aud struck him on the temple with
the butt end of it The blow partially
stunned BIN, and l followed it with
d, zen more, that laid him senseless in the
corner.
w NeA NP JON' H''''o '''~N a.
wasn't long before choked off the throt~
tle-valve, and reversed the steam, As
soon as that was done, | got a good kick
at Joe's head. to make sure Of him and
then | shouted to the men, to let them
know that we were saved
1t seemed an age before the speed di-
minished, but sensibly slower it became,
at last and the men recovering their
courage, swarmed out, and put the brakes
on, just as we came 10 the trest tle-work
They wanted to Kill Joe but ! was
cool blooded as soon as the danger was
over, and wouldn't let them. We bound
him, and carried him over to Smiths office,
as soon as we got to Decatur. He was
raving mad, foamcd at the mouth, and
talked the widest stuff.
There was trial, and he was sent to
the asylum at jackson.
The company and the Decatur papers
complimented me highly. l sent the pa
pers to my old mother, and if you'll be
lieve me, she spells out the compliments
every night of her life after supper, and
cries over them with pride.
But the compliment was most proud
of myself, were these got from Bellies
lips. She's my wife now That's my
story, cir Chimney Corner.