The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-01-19
Romance of a Boot Heel.

An Omaha man found a boot heel
sticking in the frog of a railroad switch,
and it reminded him of story:
was then young man, but it isn't
likely that will ever forget it, and be
cast rueful look at the empty leg of
his pants. "The story is soon told" he
went on, turning the boot heel over in
his hand, as if to find inscribed upon it
a story similar to his own. II was
walking on the track near St. Joe. in
Missouri 1t was terrible dark night |
in February, and heavy snowstorm
was prevailing at the time. The snow
and wind beating in my face were al
most sufficient to have blinded me in
midday. was walking briskly along,
not dreaming of any harm-in fact,
was then returning from visit to my
sweetheart, who hads that very evening
promised to be my wife-when sudden
ly l found my foot fastened in the
frog where side track joined the main
track, just as this heel was fastened
there between these rails. At that mo-
ment heard the shrill whistle of To-
comotive, and looking up the track l
saw through the binding snow a light
cleaning down upon me. 1t was an
unusual hour for train, and the idea of
meeting one had not occurred to me be-
fore, but now the awful truth flashed
upon me. | made desperate effort to
wrench my foot from the vice-like grip
Of the rails, and the horror of my posi-
tion was increased hundred fold when
found that my greatest strength was
powerless to release me. The light was
SO closely upon ME that its reflection
upon the newly fallen snow blinded me-
AS man will in such positions, I
thought of a thousand things in an in
slant; of my aged parents, of the events
of my life and of my promised bride;
and the thought that I should be torn
from her or be MANNED for life, was in
| nLIte1y lsIore ,IoilibIo than tbo threat
ened death. But I1l not trouble you
long with this painful narrative. The
headlight was blazing like the fires Of
hell right in my face. 1t was this leg
that was fastened" he said, swinging
the stump back and forth
eyes, yes" interrupted his compan
ion, with pale cheeks, "you just threw
/ yourself to one side and the engine jus
: severed your leg from your body"
5 "Not exactly" returned the story tel
E Ter, smiling blandly upon his victim
"The truth is, sir, am almost ashame
b. to say, that the light did not procee
J from locomotive, but from the lanter
l Of watchman who happened to be con
y ing down the track"
:, "And the shrill whistle that yo
d heard?"
It THAT, presume, came from sa"
It mill not far away"
o "But your leg-how came you TO lo
d that?"
4 GAS many another brave man has 10
HIS" came the answer, with heav
sigh, accompanied by far away loo
q as if to recall the scenes of battle -fel
J. I fell under a moving machine and hs
nt it chopped off,"
lie "Well, all have to say is" return'
ly the disgusted companion, 81 hope t
al girl went back on you and married
es handle maker, or some one else W
n could make her happy"
10 "No, she stuck to me-" said the roma
ir Ger sorrowfully. "She stuck to I
"a through good and evil report, and ms
mt ried me one rapturous evening in t
ID merry month OF May, and now"-l
on voice grew husky with emotion-"a
ok now would give the top of this bs
te and beetling pate if she hadn't"
as He turned away to hide his emoti
les while his companion was busily eng.
he ed in fastening large pin in the end
es' cane anddropping little in the re
OF i Omaha Herald.