The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-06-29

r1n snafE That the elevator occupied
was not inclosed with brick as Is gener-
ally the case; instead, there was heavy,
open wire work around II, which enabled
mo TO see and hear O great deal | could
see the men with their heads together
suggesting means Of stopping the flying
machine, as 1t now had become. They
tried slipping long iron rods through from
side to side Of the shaft, but they snapped
like tow. Every attempt to enter or stop
the car made my companion more and more
furious. At length, while coming down
the tenth time, he caught sight OF some
one, probably his keeper, whom have al
ready mentioned, and his excitement was
intense. He did not seem to think of me.
He walked back and forth In his rage,
talking fercely. and gesticulating With
great violence. sat perfectly still, feel
ing every moment that he might want to
vent his anger ON me II l drew attention
TO my existence.
Something fell ON my shoulder and
casting my eyes round, saw some one
had been shllful enough TO thrust In
bit OF folded paper. | cautiously btded
my time, and when my companions back
was turned, read: When you reach the
lowest floor turn on the brake. You will
find 1t on the elevator floor next the cable. I:
It's your only. salvation" crumpled the
paper In my hand just In time, for the
maniac wheeled round as did.
The next time his back was turned I
looked for the brake. There It was. down
by the operating cable, but 1t seemed that
. 1t might Just as well have been In the.
Desert Of Sahara. 80 far as the possibility
of my reaching 1t was concerned. We
went up and down three times before my
mind was made up as to how should
work that brake. There was nothing to
be done in the line of reasoning or arguing
or trying to divert his attention-he was
In q too highly excited state. He was too
powerful for me to march up boldly and
turn 1t before his eyes. l must resort to
strategy. Z
kept saying, What II you failf-what .
IL you failf' But that did not increase my !
courage. And at last, 1erving myself to .
the highest pitch Of fortitude, Just before
reaching the bottom rose from my place.
which was exactly opposite tho precious
brake. and. throwing up my hands and t
uttering loud cry. as If in distress, I fell
heavily to the floor. Never did fall have
to be 80 well calculated. was Just tall
enough to reach the brake with my out
stretched hand; but II, In my excitement,
went either to the one side or the other
all would be lost. But God was pitiful,
and fell Just SO that my outstretched
finger turned the bit of iron that was con
nected with the machinery In such man
ner as to make any movement impossible.
My cry and fall startled the maniac,
and If had remained perfectly still until
the door was prfed open all would have
been well. AS 1t was, remained on the
floor what seemed to me an eternity, and, .
feeling sure my rescuers would be within
in an instant, l got up But this was
very false move for the evaporation of
not being able to work the car had reused
the mailman to such state Of frenzy that
he turned on me, and, fairly gnashing his
teeth. he seized me by the shoulder and
cried: what have you done you misera- ,
bic woman? Shooting is too,good for you,
but it's the only punishment l can In
iliet. So saying, he drew his srevolver
and took aim ut my throat.
| remember | was very cool, even at
that most trying time. moved the re-
volver saying, well, don't muss nv
fresh crepe lisse ruffle" Tho cold steel
pressed my right temple, and that sensa-
ton, with the crash Of the opening eleva-
tor door, was the last conscious moment
had for three weeks.
was carried home with 9stony gaze on
my face that frightened my servants al-
most out of their wits A doctor was
Suilllholieu uilu o"llg 10 " SOUND cO1lStl-
tuition pulled through brain fever that
would have carried off less robust wo-
man.
| shall never forget the first time
took hand glass to gaze at the altera-
tions my illness had brought In my coun-
tcnance. The sight Of tho white lock Of
hair made me feel again the cold steel
against my temple, and the madman's
fierce breath against my check think I
went over the entire scene before my hus-
band could walk across tho room and take
the glass out of my hand. That little ex-
citement delayed my recovery for months.
Do you wonder it was Ayear after was
we'll before could speak'with composure
of my mad ride Paul Capell In Demo-
rests Monthly.