The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-11-03
NUMBER 40.
SAVED By A MIRACLE.

1t was hot summers day. The metals
cleaned in the sunshine, and stretched like
fiery brazen serpents away to the distant
capital. Every minute lessened the distance +;
the express few along with terrible speed
it appeared to have wings. Pouring out
dense volumes OF smoke and Vapor, It dash
ed along toward the great city whose nu-
merous towers began to emerge on the hori-
zOn. Only a few leagues more and Paris
would clasp to its breast one Of its own chill
dren.
The stoker Of the engine was on his last
journey he now intended to remain in
Paris, his dearly beloved Paris Leroy, the
stoker, was not old thirty years at the out
side, tall, with bright eyes, and something
decided and naughty in his bearing. Over
his open forehead fell lock OF thick black
hair courage and audacity sparkled in his
eyes A full dark moustache iealously con-
cealed his red lips and snow white teeth t.
his face was marked with certain features
which bespoke PRIDE with shade OF impe-
robustness. He was dressed in blue linen
trousers and blouse, which articles OF attire
were together by means OF a broad leather
belt, On his head he wore broad -brimmed
hat
With a joyous heart he went on feeding
the black monster with fuel, which was ca
geriy consumed by the devouring element
Leroy's sharp gaze glances up the line
when all at once he sees there, in the midst
of the solitary plain over which the train is
passing, at a distance Of about FIVE hundred
yards, a human figure stretched at full
length across the Metals. What was to be
done To stop? impossible (This was
before the invention Of the vacuum brake.)
'DO you see that creature lying across the
rails, Rollin p" he hurriedly asked the dri-
yer.
eyes -
"Shal we reverse the steam %
"On no account; it would shiver Us all to
pieces"
eve shall have to do it, OF else that per
sons fate is sealed - exclaimed Leroy.
"And 1 say it won't do" replied Rollin,
decisively; I'VE should be stalking the lives
of several Of the passengers in our train in
the attempt to save that one"
Leroy gazed forward in despair The
train rushed nearer to its victim. The poor
creature was lost Then suddenly the sto-
ker's eyes fell upon the signal cords. Quick
as lightning he fastened them round his
body
"Now summon all the strength you have
got, take firm hold of the cords, and follow
me % cried Leroy to the engine driver; and
quickly, in less time than it takes 70 relate
it, he creeps along the foot-pIate which runs
by the side of the boiler, gets in front Of the
engine, steps down on projecting bar, and
lhen holding fast by his legs to one of the
buffers, he hangs suspended, his head down
ward, his arms stretched forward and his
body held in position by the rope, which the
driver has meanwhile passed round the fun
mel.
at that mOment-anOtherr revolution Of the
wheels, and it had been too late-just as the
/ engine was about to crush its human victim
/ Leroy seized the body snatched it upward,
and lifted the burden few inches above the
rails. The engine-dr then slowly drag
ged him up, and In few moments later he
stood with his capture in the space which di-
vides the engine from the tender.
Leroy held In his arms a blooming ele-
I Pantly-dressed young damsel about eigh-
/ teen summers, whom,a by a miracle, he had
rescued from certain destruction. Long
fair hair fell in wavy tresses over her closed
( eyes, over her breast and shoulders. Sorrow
and anxiety were depicted on her cOunte-
nance. The stoker carefully laid down his
/ burden, a shrill whistle, and soon afterward
the tram rolled into the station.
[ On the following day people read in the
/ Paris morning papers the bold, fOolhardy
I exploit of the stoker. And few weeks Ia
( ter there appeared in the Harseillaise an an
nOIncement OF the betrothal Of Louise Mar
( tin, the daughter Of Martin, the banker, tC
Leroy.