Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-08-20
NO. 1876.
Gales ano Skettbes.
on THE RAILWAY BRIDGE.
A STORY OF A STARTLING ApvENTuR
Continued from Yesterday. }

Should let him pass by. nor ask him
to assist me? Would he do so? As he
approached he asked;
rs that you. Mr.. Worthington? Bless
me are YOU hurtp"
mo thank You. not much hurt" re-
piled; "but see. am SO nicely trapped
here that could not free myself alone,
and think it is nearly time for the ex--
press train to be due"
| II was growing dark very fast SO dark,
indeed. was it that l found it impossible
| 10 discover what time il was by my watch.
| He never hesitated moment, but seized
the detested plank with both hands. and
at the same instant | also initiated his
movements. The accursed thing resisted
all our efforts. and remained obstinately
immovablc. What could be done? In
half an hour the train would be due.
Would there be time TO 60 for assistance
to bring an AK and liberate my foot.
He would try.
For Heavens sake. Mr. Wesley" said
|, rs he started to 60. "be expeditions. II
is too terrible to be obliged to sit here and
face death unwillingly.~
was alone again. The winds sighed
mourntully about me, but felt reliet. l
even forgot my danger and turned my
attention once more to the thoughts with
which had been occupied when had
unwittingly stumbled into my present
difficulty
Nevertheless | was apprehensive that
he might be delayed until the train should
pass. In fact, had no assurance that he
had time To go to Mr.. Ames' and return
before it would be too late. Another
thought rushed through my frantic brain.
Had he deceived meP Would he not be
only too happy in being thus easily rid of
my unwelcome presence? | felt that he
never would come to me again-he would
leave me to the mercy OF such cruel
death. Heavens. there is no mistaking
that sound-the whistle at the Forest
station. Only five miles distant,
How well do | remember the thoughts
that passed through my mind rs patient
y awaited the return of Arthur Wesley;
for, although had every reason 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 | was still waiting
and vibrating between the hope of deliv-
cry and the almost certain conviction of
destruction. The fearful chill of despair
was creeping over me: my trembling
lambs already announced that my nerves
were sinking into exhaustion. At every
moment kept watch for his returning
footsteps, but no welcome sound fell on
my ear
IIark it is the train The low, distant
thunder cannot deceive me now. II will
be here in a few minutes.
"Help. help" cried.
The wailing cry faded away, and there
was no answer Louder and louder came
the thunder; nearer and nearer came the
train. The rising moon disclosed to me
the white column of smoke and steam,
rising above the hill beyond the curve;
and now the regularly beating puff and
cough of the engine struck my ear, like
the gloating chuckle of some terrible
monster regarding his victim. How like
a frenzy the thought came on me that it
was now too late for assistance No hu-
man being would venture on the bridge
when the train was within hearing dis
tance, when it was too dark to distinguish
objects in time to stop the impetuous fire.
horse and yet, furious and frantic at the
thought of such death, | stretched my
trembling limbs to their utmost, and
shrieked again and again until | grew
.hoarse. and the laundering train drowned
the feeble efforts of my voice. And now
delirium seized me. fancied some giant
fiend held down the plank which | vainly
tried to wrench from its firm position-I
could hear the chuckle of satisfaction that
it gave to think that it had me there SO
safely in its power
The loud roar that now reached my ear
announced that the train had struck the
bridge-there came an end to hope--no
power could avert the death that stared
me in the face, For an instant saw
countless demons lowering through the
air. made great effort to move my
body off the line, fire and smoke enveloped
me-there was a crushing blow. a conyul-
sion. a dim recollection of keen pain
shooting through my imprisoned limb.
and all was darkness. knew no more.
When returned again to consciousness
| was lying on an easy couch, in n room
dmly lighted, but neatly and tidily fur
nished. While wandering where / was,
and trying to recall what had passed, the
door had slowly opened, and Lucy Ames
entered. In a moment she was bv my
bedside, watching the motions and ex-
pressions of my countenance. doubtless
| imagining that was still delirious.
| "Iucy-Miss Ames ?'' said.
She started back as uttered the name,
as though unwilling that should discover
her real thoughts.
But in a moment she recovered all self
possession, and looked calmly toward me,
and asked, with a tone of affected indif-
ference:
DO you feel easier now ?''
| oIndeed I scarcc1y know how I do
feel, l replied, ''but there is pain and
soreness in my head, and in fact in all my
limbs. must have been very badly
hurt
/ had dim recollection Of the occur
renee above narrated, and felt surprised
that should have again awakened to life.
The pain which l felt on regaining my
reason. increased now momentarify. A
physician was at hand. and every effort
was made by him, a. well as the members
of Mr.. Ames' family, IN whose house ]