The state capital., 1891-12-12
A FEARFUL ORDEAL.
An Act Of Mercy But It Wrecked
a Life.

At certain point he made partial
pause, and, motioning to the figure OF
man visible in one of the rooms off
the corridor, said: "There is one Of the
saddest cases that has ever come under
my notice" The person alluded to
was seated in one of the pleasant par
lors of the ablishment which lined
the hallway. His hair was gray, and
in his form were symptoms of age
which a look at his face belied There
were no wrinkles, none of the deep
burrows which care will plow in the
human face. The eye was bright, and
had a look of gentleness very attractive
to the observer.
"He certainly does not look like a
dangerous individual, remarked one of
the guests.
''Dangerous?" replied the superin-
tendent, ''he is as harmless as kitten,
and sometimes l don't believe he is
really insane, but for all that he is bet
ter off where he can be looked after.
You see, he has fits Of temporary de-
mentia, during which his excitement
runs away with him, and he might do
himself some injury, though he would
never raise his hand to harm anyone
else.
His trouble is very peculiar; he had
an awful experience once in connection
with railway accident and at each re-
turning anniversary of that event he
becomes much depressed, seemingly
only desirous of hiding himself away
,,11 Oh Il
lent, but these seasons of depression
are SO intense that it appears advisable
he should be watched"
Does he ever talk of the event at
other times than at its anniversary?
''Oh, yes, indeed; in fact, at all other
times he seems to enjoy meeting peo-
pie, and if the subject of accidents
arises in the course of conversation he
is almost certain to tell his story If
you care to hear it an allusion will
bring out one of the most affecting
stories you have ever heard"
The superintendent was right; on the
way out he said: 'Well, Mr.. Martelle,
how are you? Let me introduce some
friends of mine"
After few words of commonplace
conversation, one of the guests adroitly
led the talk up to railway disasters by
referring to something he had seen in
the morning papers. Martelle was seen
to move uneasily in his chair and to
become visibly agitated, His face
blanched and in voice tremulous with
emotion he began: 'Gentlemen, you
may not have heard of it, or if you
have, you may have forgotten it, but
was in railway accident once that has
changed the whole course of my life. -
Each one present manifested an in
terest in the subject that, while pre-
moditated, was not in the least
affected. Thus encouraged he went Oh:
Il was making my first trip in the
west. l had been through California
and was heading for the Yellowstone
country. One day we were whirling
along, every body in good spirits, and
! had just gone forward into the smok-
ing car and accepted an invitation to
sit in game of whist. My partner
was fne-looking man, about thirty
five years old, with pleasant face
and voice, and full of good humor
The game was close, for all happened
to be good players. Each side had one
to its credit and the rubber had been
begun.
suddenly there was a lurch, a
shock, and then for me there was moth
ing but deep Inconsistencies. How
long | remained so | cannot tell, but it
cDuld not have been long. With the
return of my senses came the knowl-
edge that / was hurt. There was a
pain in my back and the blood was
tricl<ling down my face and neck from
wound in the head. ! was lying on
the ground and it was some minutes
fore | could realize what had hap
| pened. Gradually matters became
clearer | remembered the game of
| cards and the sudden shock, and then |
| knew some dreadful accident had hap
| rened While our game had progressed
| night had fallen, and in the dim light
| from the stars and several lanterns
| could see the figures of men moving
| about here and there, and | soon real
lied that they were bearing the forms
of killed and wounded to my locality,
some distance from the wreck.
The sense of sight had been the first
to recover; but now the terrible throb-
bing pain in my head seemed to lull
and my hearing became more active
1t was an awful sound that broke upon
my ears. Shrieks, groans and plead
ings for help were mingled with cries
| of children for parents and parents for
| children.
II made a struggle to get on my feet.
| Though at first the pain racked me
from head to foot, I found l could
stand, and was soon walking slowly
and carefully about. Naturally my
first thought was concerning my friends
in the game of whist, they being the
| only acquaintances | had on the train.
| Almost at the moment | thought OF
them two of them came to me. They
were urinjured, and it had been their
| hands that had carried me from the car
| while | was unconscious,
'sIt took but minute for my friends
to give me some idea of the extent oi
the catastrophe. Our smoking car had
been derailed and had rolled down a
steep embankment, dragging the en-
pine and one other coach with it. AS
near as they could tell at that moment
there had been at least dozen killed
and twice that number wounded.
''I inquired: Where is my partner:
Is he alive?'
"'Yes, he is alive was the reply,
'but he is in a bad fix We are working
our best to get him out of the wreck
but without help he cannot be saved
He lies there with his lower limbs
pinned in between two great iron rods