The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-23

lIDAY, NOV. %, 1888.
A ASTRANGE ESCAPE.
As q train on the Consolidated road
was entering the city of New Haven
Conn. one morning, q young woman
attempted to cross the track. The
locomotive was still a few rods dis.
tant, but she ran, showing the ner-
vous haste frequently evinced by the
fair sex in such d situati6h: SHE uid
not heed what was beneath her feet
so much as the object Of her dread.
Unfortunately, she was where a side
track was connected with the main
by q switch, and she caught her foot
in affog. She struggled desperately,
but her foot was held asif it were in a
vice. She cried out, then almost
swooned. The engineer applied the
ait-btakes, although it was evident
that the train could not bs more
thsn considerably slackened before it
reached her. So was appaseatly
doomed.
At this moment, a man, with q
iacknife which he had opened as he
ran, dashed to her side, with two
slashes cut the shoes from her heels
to her toes, pull led her boot from it,
and grasping her in his strong arms,
drew her from the track. The next
second the locomotive passed over
the spotwhere she had stood.
1t was as gallant d deed as ever d
man did for a woman's sake:
The train was stopped d tfi6neht:
The pdssengers learned the particu-
lars 6f the rescue. The meti raised
the windows Of the cars, swuhg theft
hats and cheereL as they SOW the
hero support his halffainting COM
panion in his arms.
The train moved forward, and the
man and the woman were by them
selves. They looked into each others
eyes; the man with solicitude, the
maiden with gratitude and admira-
tion.
II can never thank you enough for
your brave and generous act," she
said.
'Do not mention it: It was moth.
ing"
His modesty was that of the brave.
"How my heart beats! was SO
frightened! Were you not afraid?"
she exclaimed:
II had not time to think whether l
was or not; and besides, we railroad
men are used to close calls"
She had now sufficiently recovered
from her agitation to notice low her
new friend was dressed. She saw that
he must be a railroad conductor, he
being attired in one of the blue uni
forms commonly worn by conductors,
and having upon his head the wide
square blue cap which these meti irs
required to wear. Moreover, worked
in gold braid on the front of the cap
was the word Conductor"
Like the majority of coKAs.
Joseph Williams flor such was his
name) had a broad frame and was
square shouldered. II is said that
the motion of the train tends to give
conductors their sturdy shape and
solid appearance. Thathe was brave,
alert, and efficient, had been proved
by his recent deed; and, on account
oft and his manly bearing, she i'm
mediately reposed great confdence
in him.
She told him that she was the only
daughter of Robert Brakeman, who
kept q bakery in New Haven, aid
that she lived with her parents in u
little home in the western part ofthe
elm City,"
Mr.. Williams received permission to
accompany her home, he telling her
that on account of the shock and
fright which she had sustained, she
ought to allow him to go with her,
especially as he was not on duty that
day, and would not inconvenience
himself by doing the favor. She saw
IN eager look in his eyes, and she
blushingly gave her consent. 1t was
very evident that each welcomed an
excuse for their continuing together.
As they walked along, the conductors
admiration for his companion rapid
ly increased; and it was not to he
wondered at, for she was one OF those
winning maidens that no man who is
susceptible to female charms can help
liking. About twenty years old, she
was slender and graceful, with u beau
tiful, thoughtful face, which indicat-
ed innocent enjoyment Of life. But
her greatest charm was the singu-
lar artlessness of demeanor and con-
fiding. yet shy manner, utterly un-
conscious of her captivating ways.
She was ready-alas! perhaps too
ready-to believe in everything that
was fair To look upon and appeared
to be good. Already she feltso graf
flied to Mr.. Williams, and 30 much
admired him for the risk he had TAX
en- for her sake, that she believed him
to be the possessor Of every quality
that enters into the strength and
beauty of true manhood.
As soon as they reached the main
thoroughfare ofthe town, they seated
themselves in horse car, rode
through pleasant and shaded streets;
by the beautiful Green, an oasis and
resting place in the very heart of the
city's traffic; by the buildings of
Yale college, over which, in hours of
quietness, the spirit of learning seems
to brood; then by fine residences and
filr beyond the business center, to a
quiet neighborhood where modest
but comfortable homes can he found.
They were soon at the door of the |!
pretty cottage where our heroine
lived. Mr.. Williams went in and re-