Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-10-22
FROM THE JAWS OF DEATH.
BY w. N. ID.

ly-tniec VI tWenty-louT years oiu, abo
had been less than two years married,
when my husband and / went to live
in Buffalo, New York. After the
first six months, during which we
were happy enough, he began to ILL
treat me, and by the time OF which
I write, his brutalities had increased
to such an extent that I feared for
my life-and with reason, as it soon
appeared.
Suddenly his conduct toward me
changed completely; he became af-
fectionate in manner, soiicitous for
my health, and anxious that l should
have amusement. We went to thea
tres and concerts he ceased drink
ing to excess; and really began to
hope that he was going to return to
what he was when I first knew him.
One fine evening about week after
the change, he proposed a sail on
the lake. 1gladly assented, and we
hired a boat, pushed off, set our sail,
and, 1 sitting in the bows, and my
husband taking the tiller and sheet,
We few over the waters of Erie.
1t was nearly dark, and I was mus
ing sadly over all 1 had suffered, but
hopefully as to the future. when I
felt rude grasp upon my arm.
Looking up 1 saw my husbands face
bent over mine.
"Look here" he said. you're
going overheard. 1've had enough
of you, with your airs and graces
and tempers, damn you! I wouldn't
mind that SO much if you kept your
eyes quiet when there are mel
around, but by - no woman will
ever play tricks On maeF'
| His face was purple, and I saw he
had been drinking heavily. In spite
of my prayers and entreaties he tool
me in his arms, and with superhumal
strength flung me clear into the lake
While he was struggling With me
|; had grasped the grating in the bot
tom of the boat, and I brought i
with me when l went overheard
That saved me. When he ha'
thrown me over, he had not waite'
q moment but hoisted his sail ant
made for shore. Forcing the broa'
end of the grating under my breast
I struck out in the direction the boa
had taken, supposing it had bee
. pointed direct for the shore. l wa
a good swimmer, but the grating in
peded me, and it must have bee
1.-TWO hours before, thoroughly e1
lhausted, l came to land. / went 8
| once, cold and shivering, TO the hot
1 and enquired for my husband. Th
amazed clerk said that he had left a
hour before, saying that 1 had ger
on to New York. I found that I ha
d Just time to catch the next train fl
y New York, SO, drinking a glass
brandy, hurried to the depot, on
). throwing a large shawl over my W
clothes. My intention was to pr
, ceed direct to the house of my uncl
y who now WAS living in New Yor
inform him of what had happened, al
H. take immediate steps to prosecu
and obtain a divore from my hu
band. I remember alternately bur
L. ing with fever and shaking with ag
- as the train sped along, and havil
visions, sometimes Of great beau
and splendor, and sometimes full
8 nameless horror. have no rec
I Election of reaching New York.
When I became conscious, the fiji
thing of which became sensible "
the sound Of running, or drippir
j water, and then I felt that the liqt
: was falling on my hair, just abe
my forehead, and running down
temple. Instinctively I tried to l
up my hand, but could not. I trl
to move my head away, but it '
m Iimmovable. Then my experience
seven years previously recurred
me-all the agony of my form
trance returned. I tried to ret
[ !what had happened within athe p
two days, and it all gradually ca
back to me. Then tried to real
my present position. Where coul
- be, and what was this dripping wat
It was quite dark, SO my eyes co
not aid me. The widest conjectu
came into my mind. Could l b
wandered in my delirium into
Niagara river, been carried over
falls and miraculously lodged un
them, where people walk acre
! No, there was no sound of the C
- raet. Where could I be? Perha
would never be found, and my trs
hort would merge insensibly into the g
re- of death. Perhaps I was lying
. place where 1 would be found,
R0N then I would be taken to the
MoRaUE! Ah, God! What wa
I had read of the bodies OF unid'
land fed people being taken to that
full morgue, where they lay wi
thin stream of water always ia
Tok: upon their faces to retard decay
keep them recognizable. That
Qk it. I had been found unconscio'
the train and had been brought
for dead. Was there any chance
~ I would be identified and sa
~ None! My husband believed
L.. T. Il. v,en