The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1889-12-12

temptuous and eXultant laugh seated
himself directly under the big hammer
of the pile-driver to watch for the death
of his helpless victim.
He was joined by his companion, and
the two were talking in low tone of
voice when Lionel heard the rumble of
the goods train.
Now he strained every nerve to burst
his bonds, writhing and comforting
like snake.
He could feel the vibrations of the
heavy wheels upon the rail across which
he laid, and single prayer went up
from his heart, for he felt sure that q
horrible death awaited him.
On came the train, and, made frantic
with desperation, the poor fellow
squirmed and struggled with super
human strength.
His efforts loosened the rope, and he
was able to drag himself down so that
his neck instead of his back rested up
on the rail.
He was nearly choked by the iga-
lures, but life was at stake and he con-
tinued his struggles.
His ankles had been tied together,
and the rear truck was within few
yards of him when he kicked out
frantically, and exerted all his strength
to lift his head from the rail.
AS he pulled up his legs for the last
supreme effort, he found that the rope
at his ankles had caught over some
thing, and with this purchase he hoped
to save himself.
The train seemed almost upon him.
He drew long breath, and centrating
all his strength into his legs, pulled
vigorously.
There was whir of wheels, sudden
thud, scream of terror, the rope
about his neck parted, the heavy wheel
of the goods train just grazed his cheek,
and he rolled down the embankment as
the train thundered past.
He was saved, and struggling to his
feet, he tore the gag from his mouth
and shouted to guard, who was
swinging his lamp on top of one of the
cars
''Stop! for Heavens sake, stop!
Dangerr'
The guard heard the latter word,
swung his lantern as signal to the
driver to stop, and sprang to the brakes.
In moment the tram came to a
standstill, and the guard leaped from
the train and ran towards the lately
perilled man.
What is it?n he demanded. WHY,
that pile-driver's running-Ah-hr'
He had swung his lantern forward un-
til the rays fell upon the big hammer
that was rising and falling swiftly.
As he uttered the exclamation he
staggered back and pointed to the
battered. inanimate mass of humanity
upon which the great hammer was fall
ing.
Guiot and his rascally accomplice
had met with more horrible death
than they had planned for Derry.
1t was the lever of the pile-driver up
on which the rope about the latter's
ankles had caught, and when he pulled
to release himself, the lever was thrown
back and the pile-driver was set in
motion.
Before the men beneath the hammer
could utter more than one Mortified cry
they were crushed beneath the ponder
Gus piece of metal.
Although sickened by the awful sight
Lionel managed to stop the machine
anu tell OF MS adventure. linen ne
was overcome and fell to the ground
fainting.
The men carried him to the hotel,
and there it was found that his hair and
moustache had suddenly become white.
A brain fever followed, during which
Aimee L'Etoile was the poor fellows
nurse, for her father, the manager of
the Wilson's Road was passenger up
on the train that Guiot had so coolly
planned to send down to destruction,
and gratitude over her parents escape
made the girl wondrous tender to the
man who had nearly lost his life that
her fathers might be spared.
Of course the Wilson's people made
all the capital possible out of the
dastardly plot of the Parray employees,
and the suit in court was decided in
their favor.
'If it had not been for you, Mr..
Derry" said M. L'Etoile, things would
have had much different and more
horrible ending. / can never repay the
debt of gratitude that | owe you, but
the company won't forget you"
1t did not, for Lionel Derry is now
the WILSON'S general superintendent,
and NJ. L'Etoile gave up his daughter
gladly when the new official asked for
her hand in marriage.