The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-10-19
Saved Ry a Miracle,

1t was a 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 eX-
press flew along with terrible speed-it
appeared TO have wings, Pouring out
dense volumes of smoke and vapor> it
dashed along toward the great city
whose numerous towers began to emerge
on the horizon. Only few leagues
more, and Paris would clasp to its
breast one of its own children.
The stoker of the engine was on his
last journey; he now intended to re-
main in Paris, his dearly beloved Paris.
Leroy, the stoker, was not old; thirty
years at the outside, tall, with bright
eyes, and something decided and haugh-
ty in his bearing. Over his open fore
head fell lock of thick black hair;
courage and audacity sparkled in his
eyes. A full dark moustache jealously
concealed his red lips and snow-white
teeth; his face was marked with certain
features which bespoke pride, with a
shade of imperiousness. He was dress
ed in blue linen trowsers and blouse,
which articles of attire were held to-
gether bymeans of broad leather belt.
On his head he wore q broad-brimmed
hat.
With joyous heart he went on feed
ing the black monster with fuel, which
was eagerly 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 ads
tance of about five hundred yards, a hut
man figure stretched Mt 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?" he hurriedly
asked the driver
"YeSr'
Shall we reverse the steam?"
''On no account; it would shiver us
al to pieces"
ave shall have to do it, or else that
persons fate is sealedr' exclaimed
Leroy.
And l say it won't do" replied Roll
in, decisively; Eve 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 sud
denly the stoker's eyes fell upon the
signal cords. Quick is lightning he
fastened them round his body.
Nov summon all the strength YOU
have got, take firm hold of the. cords,
and follow mer' cried Leroy to the en-
gine-driver; and quickly, in less time
than it takes to relate it, he creeps
along the foot-plate which runs by the
side of the boiler, gets in front of the
engine, steps down on Il projecting bar,
and then holding fast by his legs to one
of the buffers, he hangs suspended, his
head downward, his arms stretched for
ward and his body held in position by
the rope, which the driver has mean
while passed round the funnel.
At that moment-another 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 bur-
den Il few inches above the rails. The
engine-driver then slowly dragged him
up, and in few moments later he stood
vides the engine from the tender.
Leroy held in his arms a blooming,
elegantly-dressed young damsel about
eighteen summers, whom, as by n mira
Gle, he had rescued from certain de-
struction. Long fair hair fell in wavy
tresses over her closed eyes, over her
breast and shoulders. Sorrow and anx-
iety were depicted on her countenance.
The stoker carefully laid down his bur-
den, a shriu whistle, and soon after
ward the train rolled into the station.
On the following day people read in
the Paris morning papers the bold,
foolhardy exploit of the stoker. And q
few weeks later there appeared in the
MGrSeittdiSe an announcement of the
betrothal of Louise Martin. the daugh-
| tar Of Martin. the banker, to Leroy