The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-08

sS.sSe ~ @AAAoo = osAuA0 W. Q1s Z 1otts
now in Lynchburg, to her father in this
city: We left Washington on Saturday
night on time. was alone in my berth,
mother and Annie were together across
the aisle and only little while before
No struck the bridge I awoke, sat up
and found to my relist il was day, but
noticed that We were tearing like mad
over the road, swinging so from side
to side that ! lay back on my pillow
again. In moment I felt great jerks,
jumps and fearful turn Of the car to
ono side, back again to the other, and
l saw through my curtains, which,
ithrOugh Gods mercy, had remained
nearly: CLOSED, that smothse and Annie
had been thrown ont Of their berth on
the floor. I saw things falling ct the
forward end Of the car, and as We he.
gan to 60 down, down, down, Thought
great God il hascome IT last, sud I tore
back my curtains. Not seeing mother or
Annieanywhere 1comme menced calling and
begging to know II they were hurt, but
could hear nothing from them. Then
reached back for my crutches, which
we're in my berth next to the window.
thinning j must get to mother and An
ME somehow. The car settled easily
and IN some way my window shade went
up and saw that wesWere in water and
that men were standing on some floating
logs. But not for one instant did re-
alize whore We were or I would have
died then. I turned to spring out Of my
berth and to my Joy saw. mother stand.
g.there, but with wild, dazed look
in her face that to my dying day I will
never forget. Iasked, "Where is Annie?
Are you hurt2" Annie stepped to my
side and mother said, Something struck
my head" Annie said, "The water is
coming in. " Some man said climb to
the upper berth. Mother and Annie
caught my hands and began to drag me
mp. We clungto the curtain rods and
stood on-the lower berth while the water
rose nearly to our shoulders.
The car seemed to have settled, for
the water came no higher, and feeling
that We would be saved came over ma.
but how I could not tell, as the venti-
lakors in the car-top were tho only open
ings that remained above water. They
are little frames of glass in front Of
them. and he twisted the frame from its
hinges, making for them, however
small IN opening to the beautiful world
outside. Annie broke our glass, but
her weak little hands were not equal to
the task Of twisting the hinges; Of what
uses anyway; when the outside was Gov
cred with stout wire network that i'm
prisoned usstill; but our hearts bounded
with joy as We heard the voices of men
IN boats outside. We quietly begged
them mot to leave us and were assured
We would besaved. Mrs. Farden handed
her baby out through the ventilator and
tho next thing we saw she was going out
Of the seven-inch hole in the quickest
possible time. could scarcely believe
my eyes whom her husband followed,
apparently without any effort, and then
9 sickening feeling came over me when
l sew thst We were alone in the car-sll
had gone. Do not think I mean to
blanc anyone. Oh no; God forbid,
Tor 8 truer, brsver set Of gentlemen
never lived. Some one called for an
49, AAS0 UVAU W VIC WOu1U Do 68ye0s G0e0
came the first stroke ON the roof,
with Q dull axe that man brought
from the shore in the first boat that
came. ss s
Annie very quietly directed them
where to cut 90 ss not to strike her
head. do not think this quietness
came from our not being frightened 90
much - il did from . kind Of despair.
Every stroke Of the axe rebounded like
. malles and We wondered how long
vs must wait, how long We could wait.
for ouf suffering from the cold was very
great, and it was 80 hard to llsve to
stand and see the agony IN each others
face, yet never dare to say : tender
word. fearing IL would unnerve them
and al would be over. We heard them
ny: sOh, what . dull axe; can't You
get hstchet or something better?"
At Last there was . crash and the
blessed light shone through; more cut
ting and waiting while the lamp was
WAS being torn out and the floating mat
tresses and curtains handed out BY An
ne, that We might pass to the hole.
Then ono after the other Annie, myself
md mother, Just e. We stood, we're
lifted from our horrible prison by
noble, brave men. who bad worked 20
haFdsso 1ve ~.