Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1881-03-30

: heavy load vi human freight, was
getting beyond their control. We
had not taken into consideration the
icy road, and the weight of the load
that was propelling the smooth steel
sleigh shoes with almost irresistible
power.
| We had good mile of down
grade to ride, aud scarce a quarter
OF the distance had yet been passed.
A'Short way below MS the road made
an abrupt turn to the right, around
a spur OF the steep hillside. The
ground had slid away OH the lower
side OF the road around this turn,
and an almost sheer precipice yawn.
ed below for more than 80 feet.
| Could we make the turn! We had
little time to think. \ loaded
sleigh had passed along the road
the night before. aud the runners
had cut deep burrows in tho soft
s'nsh, which was now frozen like
adamant, Doubtless these aided
greatly in Keeping our sleigh in its
proper position. We dashed around
the dangerous turn like wild fire.
| shnddered as canght an instan.
taneouS glimpse of the tail ;rectops
away below us, and lower still the
clusters of willows that lined the
icy shore of the river.
At the same moment Il column OF
white steam shot up irem the foot of
the bank directly below us, and the
Shrill shrek of the locomotive rang
tcariully in our ears. Ii was the M
mail train, sounding its approach to
the station.
The road extended along the steep
hillside in Il southwest direction for
hall mile or more, when il crossed
the railroad. near thc foot of the
descent. In. many places the rocks.
had been sliced down forty or fifty
teet To lu!m the road bed, and "A
perceptions Cliif extended below TO
the railroad trdch. Neck and neck .
We iicW along, even with the great .
putting iron monster below. Ii was
u Wild race FOR life; Tor il we met
the train at the Guessing, no earthly
power could save us.
The engineer saw us, and prompt. /!
~ sounded the danger signal
sharp and distinct. 1t rang alarm.
In@Iy IN our ears, like the kucll of
approaching death. The steersmen
Grasped the side OF the sleigh with
the energy OF despair, and setting
their teeth together. made "A last
concentrated effort 10 cheek our
lightning like career. But the no.
meut their feet touched the surface
they were ,hruwn violently upward, +
nearly jerking them from their posi-
tons. and the mad runaway sleigh
dashed Oh rs before.
The engineer seeing our situation
lis Vi attcrward acknowledgement
the throttle and threw on every
pound OF steam the engine was
made to bear. Fearing for our lives
he made the effort to pass the cross.
lng before we reached there. 1t was
an awful moment. The sleigh.track
spun ont behind us like silver rib.
bonS. and the Stnmps and corners
OF fences seemed TO dash past us
like flashes of lightning, Little
pieces OF Ice from the road. bed flew
>pltetnlly IN our faces, and the wind
blew so hard we could scarcely
breathe.
oh, how forcihly did fathers kind
words of warning come back to our
recollection now. and pierce our dis.
ohcdient hearts with mental an.
guiSh Thoughts of home and
eternity passed wildly through our
minds III quick succession. The
girls clasped each others hands.
and with staring eyes and bated
breath trembllngly awaited the
dread moment. \ moment only we
had To think; and We were NJ the
crossing, and the crisis was at hand.
The sleigh struck the iron rails
HSt ahead OF the eow.catcher, aud
with sudden shock. leaped forward
and upwatd. There was a frightful
and kissing around us, and
I deafening Scteeci from the steam.
valves AS we leaped the track. The
hot breath of the fiery monster fair.
y swept in our faces rs we dashed
before him; and he even left bis
mark, in the shape of u long and
ieep indehtation OF the rear of the
The girls uttered wild shrek of
despair, and two of them tainted in
Zach others arms. Billy Smith sank !