Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-19
CONTINUED from first Page. J

dangerous position The task was not
so easily performed rs I had imagined
The plank was wedged in, in such man.
ner that no effort Of mine could remove il.
strovc with my utmost power. but !. was
in vain; nor could extricate nv foot,
which was lacerated and snartIng viii,
pain in its close confinement
At first did not consider the extent of
my peril, but l soon began to perceive the
danger of my situation: and I shuddered
with horror to think that ! should be
obiige to remain there and be crushed
TO death by the next train, It was cold
day in December, and vet the heated
drops burst from every pore. A moment
Of frenZied delirinm succeeded. and when
| rallied again found myself wing on the
rail, my foot sill a prisoner, and 10 pros
pect Of delivery
/ looked at my watch; it was half-paSt
three. The express would 90 up at half
past five; and at half-past four it would be
dark
1t was possible. nav probable, that some
one would pass by before it should he too
late. This way was nearer to the town
than by the bridge I have mentioned.
though always regarded az mo e danger
GUS on account Of its narrowness, from
which there would be no possibility OF es-
cape in case train should come in sight
while passing over it, Already one per-
son 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 ] tagged at the resisting plank.
With all my strength tried to Withdraw
my foot and leave my boot; but impossi-
BILE
1t was four o'clock-in half an hour it
would be dark-another hour, and death
would be certain.
shouted for aid. Dut no habitation was
within half mile, and no answer was
returned to my cries.
Again and again shrieked. while the
despairing echoes rcverberated through
the woods. as though they would mock
me in my misery.
And then, with all the accumulated
strength of madness, wrenched the
plank. but could not move il from its
place.
Surely it could not be possible that |
should be obliged 10 sit there and be
crushed to death, when human aid was 50
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 shricked with agOnizing
fury. wildly. desperately, the sound of
my voice rang ont on the chilling air :;
while nothing but the knocking echoes
made reply.
The sun had set. and the darkness was
gathering fast over the valley below.
Already the last reddening glow Of sun
shine was cleaning on the tops of the
forest trees
NV irrevocable destiny became every
moment more and more apparent.
IIark IL il the train. No. no |
stretched forward and listened with breath
less eagerness.
There was not sound to break the
silence; must have been deceived But
list :! A voice. voice Thank Heaven !.
"Ilelp help help - cried, and
each time / shouted the words. | seemed
in despair. nerved up to greater power of
speech. and called louder each time.
Did he hear me There was no ans
wer-all was still. Oh. mercitul Heaven
was this last chance for life denied me ?
"llall-oo - shouted some one
The voice was distant. but. oh. how my
blood leaped with Joy at the sound
Again called with all the strength of
my lungs. and again was answered. In
little while figure appeared advancing
toward me, but it was So dark | could not
recognize him. nor did | care to do so :;
but when he came closer to me. one
glance showed me it was Arthur Wesley.