Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-09-26

empty coal-car, Wh1ch was 20 go through
and |, being in drunken stupor, knew
nothing of it.
"Shortly after, I awoke, and started
over the train to 60 to the engine, de-
spite the entreaties of Phil Cotter, my
rear brakeman, not to do so. did
very well until | came to the coal-car,
and in the darkness, and my sight dim
med from sleep and drink, l did not
perceive it, and, stepping from the box
car next to it into the open space, down
| went.
'1t flashed over me, as I went down,
that we had broken in two, and that as
soon as l struck the track, must scram-
BILE out of the way, to prevent the rear
cut from running over me. So the in
slant I struck the bed of the coal-car,
which l conceived to be the track, l
gave convulsive spring to one side,
and of course leaped off the train. 1
received terrible fall, and rolling over
and over down the embankment, struck
a piece of timber with such force as to
render me insensible.
"When l recovered consciousness, l
was lying in the caboose, and by the
rumble and roar l knew that we were
in motion. | endeavored to raise my
self up. but found that | was so batter
ed and bruised that it was impossible.
I could move my head, but seemed to
have use of but one arm.
"Phil came in, and, after congratulate
ing me on my escape from what seemed
inevitable death, informed me that he
had followed me up on top of the train,
had seen me when | fell to the coal-car,
and when 1 jumped from it to the
ground. He Immediately stopped the
train, tagged the extra, which was
close behind, backed up, put me in the
caboose, and we were then halfway
over the road. He had bandaged up
several severe cuts and bruises, and, al
though was badly hurt, he thought no
bones were broken.
81 saw that the dear fellow wanted
to say something, now that l was in my
sober senses, and was hesitating for
fear of offending me. So 1 told him to
speak out what he was thinking.
"'Harry,' said he there's no need of
telling any one about how the accident
occurred-I mean the cause of it. We
can patch up something that will fit,
and when you are able for duty again,
which think will be within two OF
three weeks. you will be o. K. with
headquarters
"'All right, Phil, old boy said I
and from to-day date new chapter
in my life. Drink came near being the
death of me, and I will never touch a
drop again as long as 1 live. And, as
you are perfectly capable of running q
train, [ shall ask, as soon as 1 get in
for permission for you to run our crew
until [ am again able for duty.
"'Good for you, Harry!' replied
Phil, gratefully. It's an ill wind thai
blows nobody good, now, isn't it? We're
going up Republic grade now, and. by
the way we're Stacking up, I'm afrait
our Baldwin's going to stick; and tn,
extra is only about mile behind us
Guess I'll 60 out and see if all tn,
brakes are off,
"And Phil picked up his lamp ant
went out. 1t seemed to me as if he haC
been gone but minute, when all a
once the caboose stopped.
"'Stuck, by Jupiterp thought
But no; now we 60 again.
"Wondering at our increased speed,
cast my eyes toward the window oppo
site. and my the dim light. saw tn
trees fitting by, and then. with thrill
of terror, saw that we were going back
| ward.
= "What could it mean ? I wondered
| shouted to Phil, but received no an
i swer. Then it flashed over me lik
lightning that we were broken in two
, and that was alone on the rear cu
f Great God what would l not hav
/ given for power to move-to be able
e get out and set the brakes to stop us
/ The extra was close, / knew, and, if ou
/, speed was not checked and they Tagged
the cars would run into them, and tb
r consequences would be terrible.
s "Then it was that l realized MOI
n than ever the curse of drink. But fc
: it, should not have been in such 81
d uation-but for it, l would not now /
# going to almost certain death, incap;
bic of action. In my agony of mind,
d rolled off the seat and endeavored [
o crawl to the door to reach the brak
d At that moment I heard the shri
- scream of the extra close to me.
d heard the noise of escaping steam an
il swiftly revolving wheels; then came
d horrible crash, and | knew no more.
b "When | came to myself | was und
y the wreck, and the boys were workin
+ to get me out, thinking me dead, as
% diooovarod hv tboir falI1