The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-05-03
4 ~LiME-BURNERS EX-
PERIENCE.

fAueuAAus IchLeyAfAAAa-
1t was the day before Christmas. I told
the hands over whom I had charge, that in
-onsequenc of the approaching holiday.
our employer would excuse them from Ia
Dor chat afternoon that l would return to
The kilns and myself finish a little neces-
sary work we had left upon going to our
midday meal.
Accordingly, alone, l set of to attend to
this duty. while my subordinates went re-
ioicingly to their homes. The kilns were
situate2 on a lonely road in a remote part
Of the yillags-a road that was seldom
travelled. reached the spot and com-
menced my labor. 1t occupied me longer
than | had Supposed it would. so that day
wore well AWAY. aud | had not yet finished.
December afternoons, it must be remem-
bered, are very brief. l had yet to cover
one kiln of burnt stone before / could leave.
The weather was very mild for the time of
the year. and rain was threatened instead
Vi the more seasonable Christmas snow.
1t would never do to leave the kiln exposed
us its contents might thereby be " slaked. "
and thus greatly damaged for sale.
In passing near the brink Of the open
kiln, ! inadvertently stepped upon a loose
stone that lay upon it, and, in my haste.
Was somewhat awkwardly p~recipated upon
the mass below. / fell in such u manner
as to fracture my leg. and on attempt
ing to regain the top Of the kiln. found /
was unable TO do so. An instantaneous
chill of horror struck me. What if my leg
was broken. AMI I conld no. extricate my
self? l was in n lonely place the workmen
were all away; and my whereabouts might
not be guessed until too late. For. in my
helpless condition. | was exposed TO d dou-
Bile danger rain might fan and cause the
burnt stone beneath me to slake." and
thus consume me in the heat generated in
consequence or the wind might change
and blow upon me the deadly oarbonic
gases from the adjoining kilns. which were
in full blast, My situation WAS most serious.
I made repeated efforts to drag myself to
the top of what was now my prison but
the pain was so exquisite, upon my making
the least movement, that / was forced to
give UP the attempt. The distance to the
brink of the kiln was very short, and yet,
in my disabled condition, it was q fearful
one to me.
l shouted for assistance, but had little
hope Of any but a chance passer hearing
me. Nevertheless, / repeated my cries
until / became hoarse and almost ex-
hausted. A cold sweat broke out upon my
forehead. and my fractured limb began to
swell and pain me exceedingly. The early
winter twilight came on. The clouds grew
boay,ar md tho Mind hou1a1 1iop,o1ly
through the bare branches OF the adjoining
forest If rain fell. and l remained ~inextri-
Gated, I was lost. Great Heavens was l
to be burnt alive ?-was / to perish in this
miserable manner ? TIL thought was
dreadful.
l reflected that my men were now safe in
their homes, enjoying by their firesides the
joyful Christmas Eve. Ny absence by
this time was, of course, remarked but
my family would doubtlessly suppose that
l stopped at an adjacent village on bust
ness, as was frequently my custom on re-
turning home.
Again and again | shouted for help. The
moaning wind was my only answer.
An hour of agony went by-a long. dark
hour it was and then. to my increased
horror. l felt the gentle tip tap of rain
drops upon my brow and hands. God help
me if that timid fall grew to be a steady
shower
Anothcrhour-though omeit seemed like
al e~ternity-went by, and none had heard
me, nor CHANGED to come to my assistance.
l was about TO yield myself to despair. for
the rain was now descending steadily, when
l fancied l detected q human footstep near.
l raised my now feeble voice to a pitch of
pain. and implored assistance. A startled
exclamation was the response to my agon-
lied call. Again | cried for help, hopeful
now of aid
Who's thcre?' demanded a voice, which
thought was surely that OF a woman.
: Yet how strange for such to be present Mt
that hour! Perhaps it was only a p hantasy
of my over-tried brain. Wa 1 going mad
with the terrors of my situation
"Help help y I shouted in tones that
must have been terrifying in their pleading
earnestness. Help, for Gods sake IL
am perishing!"
who are your" asked the person from
above.
Mr.. Eastmans superintendent" | re-
piled. 81 have fallen into the lime-pit.
and fractured my leg Hasten for help, !
pray Of you."
81 will do So" was the answer from NY
%rescuer, bending over the brink.
i recognized the voice. II was that O.
Madge Barker, an Incorporate and Gban.
dorea creature of the village. She set of
at once for aid, which in due time came. aud
l was saved. Thankful for my rescre, ]
was conveyed to my home, reaching it JUS;
as my wife. alarmed at my n~on-appear-
ance, was about to go to the cottages of my
men TO make inquiries concerning me.
But how came poor Madge Barker there
that dreary night? She told me afterwards,
when again expressed to her my gratitude
for her aid. She seemed strangely af,
fected ms | spoke. as. indeed, abe had been
before.
1T was Gods work. not mine" said tho
poor creature. "You know what a wretch
l have been-how everybody despised and
hooted me. 1 could get no drink that
night, 1 was tired of living, and folks were
tired Of having me live; and SO ! Just thought
T-~.,15 - - kba 1:ro-l:lnL l:x