The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-03-25

agincd. The plank was wc,lged in in
such a manner that no effort of mine
could remove it. l strove with my ut
most power, but it was in vain; nor
could extricate my foot, which was
laceratcd and smarting with pain in its
close confinement.
At first did not consider the extent
of my peril, but soon began to per-
ceive the danger of my situation; and
shuddered with horror to think that
should be obliged to remain there and
be crushed to death by the next train!
1t was q cold day in December, and yet
the beaded drops burst from every pore.
A moment of freuzied delirium sue
ceeded, and when l rallied again l
found myself lying on the rail, my foot
still prisoner, and no prospect of de-
livery.
Hooked at my watch; it was half
past three. The express would go up
at half past five; and at half past four it
would be dark.
It was possible, nay probable. that
some one would pass by before it should
be too late. This way was nearer to
the town than by the bridge l have
mentioned, though always regarded as
more dangerous on account of its mar
rowness, from which there would be no
possibility of escape in case q train
should come in sight while passing over
it. Already one person had been killed
by endeavoring to cross at time when
the train was due; and should be the
second to perish there? How the
thought tortured me! and once again I
tugged at the resisting plank. With
all my strength l tried to withdraw
my foot and leave the boot; but impos-
sible!
1t was four o clock-in half an hour
it would be dark-another hour, and
death would be certain. l shouted for
aid, but no habitation was within half a
mile, and no answer was returned to
my cries. Again and again 1 shrieked,
while the despairing echoes reverber-
ated through the distant wood, as
though they would mock me in my
misery. And then, with all the accu-
mulated strength of madness, I
wrenched the plank. but could not
move it from its place. Surely it could
not be possible that l should be obliged
to sit there aud be crushed to death,
when human aid was so near. Had
been in some isolated forest, some
depth of country, distant from town or
cottage, my doom might have been
more certain. Once again l shrieked
with agonizing fury; wildly, desperate
ly, the sound of my voice rung out on
the chilling air, while nothing but the
hooking echoes made reply.
The sun had set, and the darkness
was gathering fast over the valley be-
low. Already the last reddening glow
of sunshine was cleaning on the tops of
the forest trees. My irrevocable des-
tiny became every moment more and
more apparent.
Hank! It is the train! No, no!
forward and listened with
eagerness. There was not u
sound to break the silence; l must have
been deceived. But list! A voice, q
voice! Thank Heaven!
"Help! help! helpr' I cried, and
each time l shouted the words [ seemed,
in despair, nerved up to greater power
of speech, and called louder and louder
each time. Did he hear me? There
was no answer-all was still. Oh, mer-
ciful Heaven! was this last chance for
life denied me?
Hall-OOr' shouted some one.
The voice was distant. but, oh, how
my blood leaped with joy at the sound!
Again I called with all the strength
of my lungs. and again was answered.
In a little while figure appeared adj
vancing toward me. but as it was grow
in already so dark. could not recog-
nize him, nor did care to do so; but
when he came close to me, one glance
showed me it was Arthur Wesley.
Should let him pass by, or ask him
to assist me? Would he do so? As he
he asked:
is that you, Mr.. Worthingtona Bless
me. are you hurt?''
mo, thank you, am not much
hurt" replied; "but see, I am so
nicely trapped here that l cannot free
myself alone, and think it is nearly
time for the express train to be DUE"
1t was growing dark very fast; so
d ark, indeed, was it that found it i'm
possible to discover what time it was by
my watch. He never hesitated a mo-
ment, but seized the detested plank
with both hands, and at the same in
slant | also initiated his movements.
The accursed thing resisted all our eff
forts, and remained obstinately inn
movable. What could be done? In
half an hour the train would be due.
Would there be time to 60 for assist
bring an AK and liberate nv
foot? He would try.
"For Heavens sake, Mr.. Wesley"
said |, as he started to go, "be expe-
ditious. 1t is too horrible to be obliged
to sit here and face death unwillingly.
I was alone again. The winds sighed
about me, but I felt relief.
even forgot my danger, and turned
my attention once more to the thoughts
with which had been occupied when
had unwittingly stumbled into my pres
emit difficulty.
Nevertheless I was apprehensive that
he might be delayed until the train
should pass. In fact, had no assur-
ance that he had time to 20 to Mr..
Ames' and return before it would be
too late. Another thought rushed
my frantic brain. Had he de-
ceived me? Would he not be only too
happy in being thus easily rid of my
presences felt he never
would come to me again-he would
leave me to the mercy Of such o cruel
Heath. Heavens! There is ho mistak-
ing that sound-the whistle at the For
9st Station, only five miles distant!
How well do remember the thoughts
that passed through my mind as I pa
tientfy awaited the return of Arthur
Wesley; for. although I had every rea-
son to believe he would not come, still
instinctively awaited him, and hoped.
oh, how hoped he would return!
Nearly two hours had sat there, and
now Twas still waiting and vibrating be-
tween the hope of delivery and the al
most certain conviction of destruction.
The fearful chill of despair was creep
ing over me; my trembling limbs al
ready announced that my nerves were
sinking in exhaustion. At every
I kept a watch for his returning
footsteps, but no welcome sound fell on
my ear.
"Hark! 1t is the train! The low. dis