The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-06-28
A ~LIME-BURNER'S Ex-
PERIENCE.

-
1t was ltventy years ago TINT what J
an about to relate occurred I was tia
superintendent Of n number OF iime-kilns
IN the rich lim~e-producing region Of Car.
bingham. Pennsylvania
II wns the day before Christmas. I told
the hands over whom I had charge. that II
consequence Of the approaching holiday.
our employer would excuse them from In
Dor that afternoon ; that I would return 70
the kilns and myaelf finish n little neces
sary work we had left upon going to our
midday meal.
Accordingly. alone. I set OF to attend to
this duty. while my subordinates went re-
joicingly to their homes. The kilns were
situated on a lonely read in a remote part
Of the village-a road that was seldom
travelled. Preached the spot and com-
nenced my labor. 1t occupied me longer
than l had supposed il would. so that day
wore well away. and I had not yet finished
December afternoons. IL must be remom-
bersd. are very brief. I had yet to cover
one kiln Of burnt stone before / could leave
The weather was very mild for the timo o.
the year. and rain was threatened instead
of the more seasonable Christmas snow.
Il would never do TO leave the kiln exposed
- its oontsqts might thereby be slaked."
and thus greatly damaged for sale.
In passine near the brink Of the open
kiln. I Inadvertently stepped upon n loose
STONE that lay upon II. and. in my haste.
was somewhat awkwardiy precipated upon
the mas bs,o~- foil in such a
a. TO fracture my leg. and on attempt
ing to regain the top Of the kiln. found !
was unable 70 do 80. An instantaneous
chill Of horror struck ma. What II my log
was brokon. and I could not extricate my
self I was in q lonely place the workmen
were all away and my whereabouts might
not be guessed until too late. For. in my
helpless condition. I was exposed to q dou-
BILE danger rain might fall and cause the
burnt stone beneath me 70 " slakc.- and
thus consume me in tho heat generated in
Consequence, or the wind might change
and blow upon me the deadly carbonic
gases from the adjoining kilns. which were
In full blast Ny situation vas most serious.
I made repeated efforts to drag myself to
the top Of what was now my prison but
tho pain wGs 70 exquisite. upon my making
the least movement. that I was forced to
give up the attempt The distance TO the
brink d tho kiln vas very short, and yet
In my disahlsd condition. it was q fearful
one to mo.
I shouted for assistance. but had little
hope Of any but q chance passer hearing
ND. Nevertheless, l repeated my cries
until ] became hoarse and almost ex-
haustsd. A cold sweat broke out upon my
forehead. and my fractured limb began to
swell and pain mt exceedingly. The early
winter twilight cnmo on. The clouds grew
heavier and the Wind howlcd idismally
through the bare branches OF tho adjoining
forest II rain fell. and I remained inextri-
cited. l was lost. Great Heavensi was l
20 DO burnt alive WAS 1 TO perish In thi1
miserable manne ? The thought was
dreadful.
reelected that my, we're now safo In
their homes. sdoying ~ their iresides the
joyful Christmas Eve. Ny absence by
this time was. OF course. remarked; but
ny family would doubtlessly suppose that
! stopped At an adjacent village on busi-
ness. - was frequently my custom on re-
turning homs. sdt
Again and again I shouted for help. The
moaning wind was my only answer.
An hour Of agony went by-a long, dark
hour 1t vas; and then. to my increased
honor. I felt the gontio tip tap " Of rain
drops upon my brow and hands. God help
me II that timid fall grew to be a steady
showerl
Another our-thoug tomeit seemed like
an eternity-went BY. and none had heard
M. nor Glanced to come to my assistance.
/ was about to yield myself to despair. for
the rain was now descending steadily. when
i fancied / detected a human f~ootstep near.
! raised my now fesble voice to q pitch Of
pain. and implored assistance. A startled
exclamation was the response to my agon-
ired call. Again l cried for help. hopeful
now Of aid
Who's theref" demanded q voice. which
thought was surely that Of a woman.
Yet how strange for such to be present at
that hour Perhaps it was only o phantasy
OF my over-tried brain. Was I going mad
with the terrors Of my situationp
"Helpi help p I shouted in tones that
must have been terrifying in their pleading
easnestness. Help. for Gods sake ~
IN perishingr
"who are you ? asked tho person from
above.
"Mr. EastmAn's superintendent" 1 re-
piled. 81 have fallen into the lime.pit,
and fractured my leg Hasten for help. !
pray Of your
81 viii do so.- was the answer from my
'rescuer. bending over the brink.
I recognized the voice. It was that Of
Madgs Barker, AZ incorporate and aban-
aoned creature a the village. She set Cd
at once for aid. which in due time came. and
! was saved. Thankful for my rescue. 1
rns conveyed to my home. reaching it Just
a. my wife. alarmed at my non-appear-
saec. was about 70 go % the cottages Of my
ulea to make inquiries concerning me.
But how came poor Madge Barker there
shat dreary night : She told me afterwards.
~hsn I again expressed to her my gratitude
tor her aid. She seemed strangely AZ
t~cted as ! spoke. a.. indeed. she had been
before fHtEi stfts 4ltnk
1T wa eod's work. not mine.- said the
e,nr creature you know what q wretch
have been-hou everybody despised and
hooted me- ! could get NO drink that
night. l was tired Of living. and folks were
tired Of having me live; and so I just thought
! would gotQthe lime-kilns. lie down where
: could bf(kkie The p~oisonlgns. nd die.
a. would beiasmca warm! easy death, /