The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-12-01
A STRANGE ESCAPE.

was entering the city of New Haven
Conn. one morning, o young womaB
attempted to cross The track The
locomotive was still q Rev rods dis.
tant, but she ran, showing the ner.
vous haste frequently evinced by the
fair sex in such O situation. She did
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 a switch, and she caught her foot
in e.rog. She struggled desperately,
but her foot was held as if it were in a
vice. She cried out, then almost
swooned. The engineer applied the
air-brakes, although it was evident
that the train could not be more
than considerably slackened before It
reached her. She was apparently
doomed.
At this moment, a man, with a
iackhih which he had opened as he
ran, dashed to her side, with two
slashes cut the shoes from her heels
to her toes, pul led her boot from It,
and grasping her in his strong arms,
drew her from the track. The next
Scond the locomotive passed over
the spotwhere she had stood.
1t was as gallant deed as ever a
man did for a woman's sake.
The train was stopped a moment,
The passengers learned the particu-
lars of the rescue. The men raised
the windows of the cars, swung their
hats and cheered as they saw the
hero support his half-fainting 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-
ton.
81 can never thank you enough for
your brave and generous act" she
said.
"Do not mention it. 1t was moth
ing"
His modesty was that of the brave.
"How my heart beatsl / was SO
frightened Were you not afraid?"
she exclaimed.
II had not time to think whether I
was or not; and besides, we railroad
men are used to close calls"
She had now sufficiently recovered
from her agitation to notice how her
new friend was dressed. She saw that
he must be 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 men are
required to wear. Moreover, worked
in gold braid on the front of the cap
was the word Conductor"
Like the majority of conductors,
Joseph Williams (for such was his
name) had a broad frame and was
square shouldered. 1t 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
of it and his manly bearing, she i'm
mediately reposed great confidence
in him.
She told him that she was the only
daughter of Robert Brakeman, who
kept bakery in New Haven, and
that she lived with her parents IN
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
an 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 be
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 a beau
tiful, thoughtful face, which indicat-
ed innocent enjoyment Of life. But
her greatest charm was the singu-
lar artlessness of demeanor and con-
tiding. 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 felt so graf
flied to Mr.. Williams, and so 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
far beyond the business center, to O
quiet neighborhood where modest |
but comfortable homes can be found.
They were soon at the door of the
pretty cottage where our heroine