Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-12-21
A TRYING ORDEAL.

in working among the stores in this part
of the state 'Spikers is little place
Only one local train day stops there.
got off the train and hurried over to the
store. AS it was already dark, the place
was filled with loaASrs, rough looking fell
lows, who stared ii, vacant way as IN
packed my sample cases and spread the
goods upon the counter. knew the store
keeper and had no trouble in selling him
a BILL so that when l finished business
with him at the end of an hour felt am
ply repaid for my trouble. Then 1 began
to look about for q place to spend the
night.
II found that the Pittsburg express
stopped at Schmucker's junction, three
miles up the track, and that by good,
brisk walking I would be able to catch it
comfortably. 1 made arrangements to
have my cases sent on by the local train
next day and then took my leave after
having received explicit directions to fol-
low the beaten path along the railroad.
LAS l left the store l noticed but did
not heed the sinister glances that three Of
che lOafeTs who were sprawled along the
counter cast upon me.
1T was clear night. The moon was
just rising above the mountains in the
east The air was cold and crisp and the
ground frozen hard. In few moments
passed the last house, reached the railroad
and was recling off rod after rod of tho
hard white path that stretched before me.
soon arrived at the woods and was plung-
ing deep into their heart. l had set for
myself brisk, brecing pace, and at first
felt not the slightest uneasiness at my
lonely condition, dark and foTbiddng
though the woods seemed, but as l pro-
ceeded deeper and deeper until looking
behind me | could make out nothing down
in the woods, heard the sound of wheels.
l stopped and listened. 1t became louder
and louder as if the vehicle was approach
ing near me, and then began to die away
and soon was lost in the noise of leaves and
limbs
when I had gone about ~ miles,
found myself within few yards Of what
appeared to be a wood road that wound
out from among the trees crossed the track
and then lost itself in the blaCknCss on tho
other side. I had just passed this road
when l was startled by the sudden sound
of a football behind me, and before could
turn two horny hands had seized my
throat and held me fast. l tried to cry
out, but my effort was stopped by firm
clutch of the strong fingers. Then two
men appeared, and in another instant [
lay helpless on the ground.
The three rut1ians were big, burly fell
lows, so heavily muflled up that, beyond
few stray whiskers, l could make out
nothing of their faces. All my efforts at
kicking and struggling proved vain. One
sat on my legs and coolly tied my feet, an
other bouna my arms, and then the clutch
on my throat was loosened, and / was al
lowed to breathe. In few moments they
had taken everything of any value that /
had upon my persona watch and my
money, not much, only a few hundred
dollars.
This done, I thought that would he
allowed to go, but reckoned wrongly. One
seized my hands and another my feet, and
they laid me across the track. My horror
knew no bounds when realized what this
meant. One of the brutes tied my feet
hard down to the rail. ! begged and
threatened, pleaded and eXpOstulatCd, of
fCred them a reward for my release and
dire vengeance if they left me there but
in vain. They coolly wrapped the rope
round and round my ankles and undor tho
rail, and then fastening my arms at the
elbows, they proceeded to secure my body.
THE tighter felt the rope drawing to
hold me until the express freed me from tho
track and the world the more / pleaded
The final answer was blow on the
mouth and the information that they
wasn't goin to have me tellin tales. Then
they left me.
Il heard the rattle of wagon wheels rs
they drove away, and then ! was alone
l twisted and tore and writhcd in my
frantic efforts to free myself until Cx-
hausted. Time passed slowly. l pictured
myself lying in pieces along the track
AT last l heard a ringing in the rails,
low, plaintive ringing that told me that
the express was coming. Only few mo-
ments, and it would be on me. l twisted
and writhed in one last desperate struggle
for freedom. l tore and kicked until the
ropes cut deep into the flesh, and my
clothes where the thongs were grew hot
from friction.
The ringing became louder until at
last it developed into a roar. looked
down the track and saw the faint CLEAN
Of the headlight as the engine rounded
curve. One more minute!
Frantically 1 struggled Nearer and
nearer came the flying train. Louder and
ouder became the roar and ringing in the
rails, so loud that it drowned my wild
screams. The headlight was binding mo
all was over. No; continued to strug-
gle Then felt a burning sensation in
my legs, a terrible heat, and an odor Of
burning clothing followed. 1 raised my
head, and the CLEAN of flame met my
ayes. There was sudden flash, and in
an instant my feet were enveloped in fire.
| realized it then-the friction of tho
thongs, in my tremendous struggles, had
Jet fire to my trousers.
Suddenly, almost miraculously, the
;opes Embossed. They had burned off, and
my feet were free. l raised myself on my
back and waved my blazing legs in tho
lir. There was whistle for down brakes,
1 jarring of the rails as the wheels slipped
bver them, the headlight was right over
me, binding me by its brilliancy-but too
ate l felt the cowcatCher's nose gently
iub my back, and then it stopped. 1 was
5avedl
1.-The whole train crew and all the pas
lengers rushed up. In few seconds the
ire was extinguished, and l was carried
by kind hands into one of the cars. All,
hat was a terrible experienced hope
nay never have another such. "