Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-12-02

CROSSING Il rOdu anu L saw that a horse, at
tached to a box-wagOn, was running awav
and coming toward us at the top OF his
speed. L also saw that a very pretty young
lady held on to the reins as tightly as nos
sible and exerted all her strength to stop
the animal, which had got completely be-
yOnd her control.
What induced me to do it. 7 DONE
know; but, acting on the impulse of the
moment, [ sprang up and pulled the con-
Meeting line. Fortunately | was in the
last car, and we were not running fast at
the time. | remember hearing the whistle
from the locomotive, si~gnifying clown
brakes" and that one man, who seemed
to divine my intention, tried to stop me.
Hurrying to the rear platform | took nv
position on the step, and as soon as the
train slowed up jumped off. [ was none
too soon, and just had time to catch the
ta1l-board of the wagon as the horse, more
than ever frightened at the sight of the
train, tore across the track. 1t required
all my strength to hold on and, if 1 had
not been pretty quick and active, I should
have been thrown aside and killed. How
ever, | managed to get in at last, and tax
ing the reins, would, in all probability,
either have pulled the horse over into the
vehicle or my arms from the sockets 1.-THE
last you will agree with me being the
more likely thing Of the two to happen),
when suddenly the r%ight-hand line broke,
and, afraid that if [ pulled on the other
our unruly steed might turn and upset us,
[ was Obliged to throw it down and think
OF some plan to stop him.
"All this time the young lady had not
said a word, and sat perfectly still, al
though [ could see from the paIlor of her
face and a slight trembling of the lips
that she was fully alive to the danger of
our position. l knew that what [ did
| must do quickly, for we had nearly been
thrown out two or three times, and l had
shaken my head emphatically atmy fellow
sufferer in answer to her mute appeal for
permission to jump. [ knew that broken
limbs would be the consequence, and re-
solved to do all in my power to prevent
such a calamity. Seeing no other way |
leaned forward, and, grasping the back
strap, put a foot on each shaft and in this
manner worked my way on to the horses
back. A short distance ahead the road
took a sharp turn, and I made up my
mind that the horse must be stopped be-
fore we reached it; so | threw my arms
around his neck with the idea of choking
him, when the Whiffietree became de-
taChed from the shaft. Nothing that [
am aware Of is more likely to terrify a
horse than to have something knocking
against his heels, and | found that it re-
quired some skill to keep my seat. One
kick-the shafts were demolished and we
were free from the wagon, which ran
ahead by its own velocity, until one of the
front wheels struck a stone, turning the
carriage so that it ran into the bushes
which lined the road, and stopped. A
glance behind showed me all this, and I
was about looking out for my own safety
when the beast stumbled, throwing me
with great violence over his head. |
know that my temple struck something
pretty hard; | saw several flashes of light
before my eyes, and then all was still.
"The next thing that I remember is that
| was lying on a bed in a strange room
with mother bymy side. Ifelt very weak,
and wondered how [ came there, until |
saw the lady whom L had risked my life
to save standing at the foot of the bed
stead. | thought she seemed very much
! n1aocn1 +O coo that 7 LoI -~ol 49,
sciousness, and the smile she gave me
made me feel as happy as one in my con-
dition could.
"The doctor told me afterward that it
was only good nursing that brought me
through for besides having infamma-
ton of the brain / had several ugly
bruises, including a sprained ankle, and,
If l remember rightly, two or three broken
ribs. | had been sick five weeks, and
you may be sure | was glad when I was
strong enough to walk in the garden by
the help Of your mother and a cane"
"MOther ?"
l" Yes, Ida; it was your mother who was
the cause Of my broken ribs, and l have
~ 1CS1CtlCu II, 0Hu NOulu SU lIOuSu
the same thing again fit were necessary
or would do her any good. My business
had been very much neglected during my
illness and l found [ should lave to COM
mence over again; but that did not trouble
me much, for [ was young-scarcely
twenty-four-and your ma had promised
to wait for me until I was gray if neces-
sary."
mo, sir" said mother, who sat on the
other side of the hearth, not only until
you were gray, but forever"
"True, my dear, you did; but we did
not have to wait very long, for your father,
after letting me go ahead awhile on my
own hook as he expressed it, advanced
the necessary funds, and when l would
have paid him back said: You risked
your lite to save Nettie's; all I have is
hers, and she is yours; never talk to me
of payment again
$50 you see, Tom, that mine was not
such a commonplace courtship as you
imagined. But there's the supper bell i:
run and get ready. Come, mother.n-
RupUL Mem Worker.