Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-03-12

and descended tho hill to cross the
track. Hardly had taken the first step
on the plank crossing, when tho heel of
my shoe, by some unlucky chance, sank
tightly into the space between rail and
timber. and | was thrown heavily TO
the ground.
Although shaken up considerably,
was not badly hurt, and attempted to
rise at once; but my foot was firmly
held. and only partially succeeded in
doing so. now turned my attention
to freeing myself from my uncomfort-
able position, thinking it an easy mat
ter that could be accomplished by
simple turn of the foot. To my con-
sternation found it absolutely impos-
possible to draw my foot away, so Sc
curely was it wedged between the rail
and plank.
began to grow excited, and twisted
and pulled my foot recklessly and vio-
lently until nearly exhausted. There
was no result, except that my ankle be-
| gan 10 pain me from the rough treat
ment, and felt that it was beginning
/ to swell.
To escape from this trap, found
must take the matter more coolly. By
strong effort at self-command ] be-
came calm again, and began 10 consid-
er the best way out of the fix. Consult
ing my watch, which had an illumin-
ated dial, found 1t was twenty min
utes past eleven. No train would pass
till after one, and this was the one |
wanted TO catch at the Junction. There
fore need not worry lest | should be
run over; ! had plenty of time. Yet
from the pain in my ankle feared
could not reach home as early as had
intended.
went Systematically to work, and
tried to pull my foot out Of the shoe.
Failure. Again and again ! endeavored
Dead failure. My foot was badly swol-
len.
A happy thought flashed through my
mind, and ! almost shouted with Joy
Jubilant at the prospect of deliverance
felt for my pocket-knife. Horrorsl II
was gone But no. Almost miraculously
it seemed TO me, my hand at that in
slant touched it lying on the ground.
where ii had slipped when fell. With
thankful heart ] opened its only
blade.
then cut deeply into the plank where
it held my heel. But in my eagerness ]
overestimated the strength of the
knife, and before had taken of q
shaving, to my infinite dismay and
alarm, the blade snapped of short.
leaving the useless handle clutched in
my grasp
now became thoroughly desperate.
I reproached myself again and again
for not having been wise enough to cut
off the shoe. But it was too late now,
for the broken blade, even II could
have used that was away down in q
crevice where my fingers could not
reach il.
! called wildly for help.
"Youcan't getout, youcan't getoutl"
said commissioning voice.
| started up. BAIL it was only frog |
"Youcan't getout, youcan't youcan't |
youcan'tl' croaked the sympathetic
creature.
This was depressing "Fool, fool, |
fool, foolp booted an owl from the
wooded hill behind. And the frog sub
sided.
Again and again my a-onized voice
rent the dark with screams for help.
No ono came or answered. and at last.
hoarse and exhausted, sank down in
despair.
All became still again, save for the
drumming OF the telegraph wires over
head, which to my startled Imagination
seemed like the sound OF spirit voices
warming me of doom. For some time
lay there in sort of stupor when
"Bo-loom"
/ reused up again "Bo-loomw 1t
was striking twelve from the clock in
the tower. Then for the first time the
full terror OF my situation impressed
itself fully upon me, and chilled with
fear. Each stroke sounding out with
precision seemed TO even
hasten tho time when the fast express
would sweep round that curve, rush past
and away, and leave me there manned
and bleeding, to die, no doubt alone
before the dawn.
Despair gave me mightier strength
than hope, but unguided by reason.
Again put forth almost superhuman
efforts to escape. My foot was badly
sprained, but | felt no pain. ] was
frantic with fear and writhed in the
dust like demented creature.
o! it was dreadful to be held there
without any hope of rescue, fancying
heard the horrible crunching Of the iron
wheels passing over my anklel
My brain was on fire. uttered shrek
after shrek. Would no ono come?
Only the echoes answered. A terrible
calm came over me. and | burst into a
paroxysm of uncomfortable, mirthless
laughter.
| was going mad.
lay PROSTATE and closed my eyes. A
mild and pleasant intoxlcatlon seemed
TO take possession of me. much like
hat produced by morphine. Pleasing
Iancies fitted before me, and thought
hem real In the midst of all was
present to my disordered brain an indie
'cribable feeling OF relief What an aw-
Iul nightmare had had, but it was all