Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-08-17
A MOMENT OF DEADLY PERIL
A Tale of the Lightning Express Train
of the Great West.

a Tale of the Lightning Express ArhAh
of the Great West.
From the ClersIInd Plaindealer.
They were recounting their experiences
during the late misunderstanding IN the
Sunny South. One had forced the batteries in
front of Petersburg, another had fought hand
to hand with "Jeb" Stuart's and Imboden' s
cavalrymen, and still another had been with
Farragut at the passage Of the lower Missis-
sppi
A drummer sat IN the opposite seat and ap-
peared TO take deep interest In the converse
ton. At last he broke in:
"Gentlemen, was too young to go to war
. but l know what il is to face the deadllest
peril that ever threatened the wellbeing OF
man. >"
"Tf the story amt too long, stranger, let's
have it. spoke grizzled veteran.
Gwen, You know | was travelling for an
Eastern house. and had got pretty well out
towards the slope / was fresh and the tender
cat sort Of tenderfoot. was taxing In the
country and the sights for all they were
worth, and used to amusc myself by standing
on the rear platform and shaking bandker-
chief at the girls as we passed through settle,
ments. Some OF the men on the trains tolq
me ia get blown full OF holes II
as the train kept moving: one
dav Just as we were pulling out ~ htdr
village went out On the rear platform, as
usual. and clofed the door behind me. q
rather pretty maiden stood in the doorway of
a modest cabin close by the track. / threw p
Kiss in her direction, and 10! she vanished.
Tho next minute Il great wal lOplng SIX fOoter,
arrayed in flannel SHIRT and high top boots,
emerged from the cabin and started on dead
run after the train, which vas moving very
slowly. could see blood in his eye and MS
whole manner was suggestive OF gore; so.
having sufficiently admired the beauties OF
nature in that particular nelghbor-
hood, I thought it time to resume my
seat in the smoking-car at the eX
IRENE end Of the train But horrors the door
was locked! / had sprung the catch in shut
ting il. MY blood thirsty pursuer in the en-
sanguined undcrgarment was going on the
train. His teeth were set am ne agltated ms
pedal eXtremities with the earnestness Of 3
man with - hxed purpose in view. was that
purpose. NV revolver was In my travelling
bag; | always carried it there to avoid shoot
ing myself. The ayeDger was almost on me.
| could see the wicked expression OF his eye
Ny fate was all too apparent. | would be
shot through some vital part of my anatomy,
roll off the train a corpse, and my body
hidden to prevent detection. Alas! my poor
widowed mother. and helpless little brothers
and sisters. They would look IN vain for the
return of the dead. The pursuer WAS along
side the car. His hand was thrust behind
him and into cavernOus pistol pocket. Heav-
ems! the agony OF that moment | shudder
whom l recall the scene And the drummer's
frame shook with emotion
There was breathless silence in the car.
The denOuement of the thrilling tale was
awaited with the most intense anxiety.
How comes IL ne dl0nb 40 you uPF IN
quired one of thu listeners. Ibid you jump
Off the train and lick him, or did he fall down
and break his neok?"
Neither; but twas a narrow escape He
was alongside the car; he put his hand on his
pistol pocket, and pulling out Il --"
'fWhat?"
t. letter. said: Mister will yer kindly
put this aF in the mail car That was all"
Several OF the old veterans got up and went
into the smoking car. while the newsboy
whispered ''chestnuts." and the fat old gem
tleman in the next seat in front SAID:
Il knew it was Il joke. All the time