Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-25
HELD BY THE HEEL.
BY 8. 9. CAIRNS.
On the Yankee Blade. }

On the Yankee Blade.)
1t was but few years ago on dark
GUNNER night that the adventure | am
about to relate, befell me.
There had been tragedy at L, the
circumstances of which were so horrible
and cruel that when the particulars were
given to the public all New England was
aroused to indignant excitement.
At the time | was a reporter on a prOml-
nent daily, and, in responce to the sensa-
tional bulletin from our local correspond
ent at l., was sent on by the chief to
furnish long special despatch of the
case for the morning edition. | left the
city at dusk, and reached my destination
seventy miles away, between nine and ten
o'clock.
1t is unnecessary to enter. into any de-
tail of the murder here. Suffice to say
that, after some trouble anu more delay, |
secured a very successful report, and at
eleven o'clock it had begun spinning over
the wires.
L was small country place where
the midnight trains did not stop; but be-
fore leaving the telegraph Office | learned
from the operator, who was a genial fell
low,-do not stare,-that by hiring a
horse at the village, which was a mile
from the station and reached In the day
time by stage, | could be driven to -
Junction, eight miles beyond, board the
train there, and be in in the city at day
light.
/ determined to act on this suggestion,
and after few further inquiries set off
towards the village. The moon had gone
down, and thick clouds covered the sky.
1t was dark as pitch. Not leaf stirred.
1t seemed as though the night were hold
ing its breath, premonitory symptoms of
lachrymal outburst of rain. | did not
mind the gloom, however, and whistled
along merrily enough.
The highway ran along the east side of
the track for nearly a half mile, assembled
hill then descended abruptly to the
right, crossing the track at a sharp curve,
whence it bore off toward the few glim-
mering lights of the village, situated on
hill half a mile west of the rsilroad.
walked rapidly along, and descended the
hill to Gloss the track. Hardly had |
taken the first step on the plank crossing
when the heel of my shoe, by some I'M
lucky chance, sank tightly into the space
between the rail and timber, and | was
thrown heavily to the ground.
Although shaken up considerably, | was
once; but my foot was firmly held, and
only partially succeeded IN doing SO. | now
turned my attention to freeing myself
from my uncomfortable position, thinking
it an easy matter that could be accomplish
ed by simple turn of the foot. To my
conservation / found it absolutely impos-
sible to draw my foot away, so secured was
it wedged between the rail and plank
| began to grow excited, and twisted and
pulled my foot recklessly and violently
untiss nearly exhausted. There was no re-
suit, except that my ankle began to pain
me from the rough treatment, and felt
that it was beginning to swell.
To escape from this trap, found that ]
must take the matter more coolly. By a
strong effort at self command | became
calm again, and began to consider the
best way out of the fix. Consulting my
watch, which had an Illuminated dial,
found it was twenty minutes past eleven
No train would pass till after one, and
this was the one | wanted to catch at the
junction. Therefore | need not worry les1
should be run over; | had plenty of time
Yet from the pain In my ankle | feared
could not reach home, as early as ! intend
ed.
| went Systematically to work, aud triet
to pull my foot out of the shoe. Failure
Again and again | endeavored. DeaC
failure. My foot was badly swollen.
A happy thought flashed through m,
mind, and | almost shouted with Joy
Jubilant at the prospect of delive:ance !
felt for my pocket knife. Horrors it was
gone. But no. Almost miraculously, i
seemed to me, my hand that instant touch
ed it lying on the ground, where it had slip
ped when fell With thankful heart
opened its only blade.
then cut deeply into the plank where i
held my heel. But in my eagerness over
estimated the strength of the knife, an,
before had taken off a shaving, to my In
finite dismay and alarm, the blade snappe,
off short, leaving the useless handle clutch
ed In my grasp.
now became thoroughly desperate.
reproached myself again and again for no
having been wise enough to cut off tn
shoe. But it was too late now, for tn,
broken blade, even if | could have uset
that, was away down In crevice wher.
my fingers could not reach it,
called wildly for help.
'Youcan' t getout, youcan getout!" sal
eommiserating Voice.
| started up. BAH it was only frog
"Youcan't, getout, youcan't, youcan 7
youcan't!'' croaked the sympatheti
creature.
This was depressing. Fool, fool. foo
fool, foul!" hooted an owl from the woode
hill behind And the frog subsidized.
Again and again my agonized voice ren
the dalk with screams for help. No on
came or answered, and at last hoarse an
exhausted sank down in despair
All became still again, save for til
drumming of the telegraph wires over
head. which to my startled imagiLatio
seemed like the sound of spirit voices warn
ing me of doom. For some time | lay Their
In sort of stupor, when
''Bo-loom!'
| reused up again. 'Bo-loomr' 1t wa
striking twelve from the clock in the tower
Then for the first time the full terror c
my situation impressed itself fully upo
me and chilled with fear Each strok
sounding out with relentless precisio
seemed to even hasten the time when til
fast express would sweep round that curv,
rush past and away, and leave me the1
manned and bleeding, to die, no doub
alone before the dawn.
Despair gave me mightier strength tina
hope, but unguided by reason Again
put forth almost superhuman efforts to e
cape. My foot was badly sprained but
felt no pain. | was frantic with fea
and writhed in the dust like demente
creature.
o, it was dreadful to be held the
without any hope of rescue, fancying
heard the horrible crunching of the vince
passing over my ankle
Ny brain was on fire. uttered shrit