Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-03-25
SAVED BY LIGHTNING.

The effect of the electrical phenome-
non on the nerves Of finely strung indi-
viduals is not unlike that communicated
by sudden and severe fright when the
controlling power of the brain seems en-
tirely cut off from action. In persons of
stronger nerves the effect is not so great
unless at some former period the nervous
system has been severely shocked, and
even stunned, by the force of an electric
current.
No person has had more frequent dem
onstration of this fact than myself.
am strong and robust by nature and
would scorn the idea of being nervous.
1have several times been placed in pc
culiarly dangerous positions, whe.e CON
siderable nerve and pluck were required
for the right performance of my duty,
and on all such occasions have acquitted
myself to the satisfaction of all my
friends. But brave and strong as | am
in the face of most dangers, | am weak
and helpless in heavy thunderstorm.
Since a certain memorable night in
1888 | have been absurdiy susceptible to
the influence of electricity in any form,
and it is an easy matter for me to predict
a rising storm long before it has come up
by the condition of the atmosphere and
the effect it has upon my nerves.
| was telegraph operator at small way
station on a northern railway. My duties
consisted in signalling the trains that
passed by my door, selling tickets and
acting as operator
These combined duties kept me busy,
and as there was scarcely house within
two miles Of the station, the quietness
of the place would have been unbearable
had been at leisure to notice it. But
when my work was finished, late in the
afternoon, always found a short time
to devote to reading before the evening
express came in, and this was soon looked
forward to with genuine delight by me
as a relief from my other duties
The eqpress was not always up to time,
and frequently found myself waiting
until o'clock before she arrived, read.
ing, walking and otherwise passing the
time as pleasantly as possible.
was engaged in the former occupa-
ton rather earlier than usual one warm,
sultry afternoon in August
The weather had been so excessively
hot that | had been compelled to lay
aside all superfuous garments and to do
my work in my shirt sleeves. 1t was
just such day as always closes with q
heavy thunderstorm.
About o'clock the atmosphere began
to change. A few clouds appeared upon
the western horizon, and the sounds of
distant thunder could be family heard
A gentle breeze swayed the pines and
rustled the green leaves of the tall oaks
thought at the time that it had a
mournful, ominous sound, and as the
distant cry of a loon fell upon my ear an
unaccountable SILVER ran through me.
| laughed at my own fears and arose
from my feet to dispel all gloomy
forebodings, and began to lock up things
around the frcighthouse before the storm
was upon me. When this was finished.
returned to my seat and watched the
clouds scud across the now dark heavens.
In a little while the rain began to de-
sccnd in torrents, pattcring upon the tin
root OF the station house like lcadcn bull
lets. The thunder pealed out with
heavy reyerberations, aud the lightning
was fairly binding
| closed up my instrument in the Office
and did not approach it again until the
storm bad passed. To have tempered
with it in such tempest would have been
folly. The lightning, as IL were. PLAYED
with the wire and the keys IN an un-
pleasant manuerand made me move far.
thcr away from IT,
For half an hour the storm continued
with undated fury. and aIl along the
track little rivers oi mlnwater were SURG.
Ing and rushing The afternoon had
grown suddenly dirk, and It was Imp1s.
slblr CD discern 1000 object twenty wards
of The usual ilmo Cor che arrival of
the evening rNprHs md passed. ana stul
20 indication ol hu coming had beaa rc
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