The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-14

my hammock, I saw, with d feeling Of
extreme horror, that through friction
with part Of the radial axle frame 10
had been cut more than half through
was hanging by a mere f;lamentl nthat
broke, death was certain. must either
be thrown between the wheels Of the
carriage and frightfully mingled or
dashed to pieces ON the permanent way.
] Immediately sought some means Of
escape from the doom that stared me In
the face. could find none. TO hang ON
by the remaining cord at the head Of
the hammock was impossible, as direct
ly the other was cut through there wonld
be no support to my feet, which Icould
not place over the side of the sacking
without their coming In contact with the
mechanism. Of the coach. For the same
reason ! could not grasp any Of the
framework above, as the only parts ON
which could lay hold were the levers,
which were constantly moving from
side TO side and would infallibly crush
my hands TO pieces.
The cord was wearing thinner and
thinner, and ] knew that few minutes
must put an end to my existence. There
was absolutely nothing to be done but
await my fate, which did, not with
that calm composure that is supposed TO
mark the hero, but In unspeakable ter
ror. My life was literally hanging on O
thread, and / could only lie there trem-
bling. in cold sweat, watching until
my fragile support should give way.
Suddenly the engine whistle gave d
long scream. and knew that the brake
was being applied and thas our speed
was rapidly slackening. What could IL
mean? A distance signal must be against
ua II only the train would come TO o
standstill. could escaped
We were fast reducing our speed
and / was greatly excited with the hope
that lay in this providential occurrence
when another short whistle told me
that the line was now clear. I felt the
brake removed
Now was the time or neveri ! knew
that the train would not move amy slow
er during the time that could hope TO
continue in my position We were GO
ing I5 TO 30 miles an hour.
Whipping out my pocketknife. ]
reached up one hand and cut through
the thin strand that supported one side
OF my hammock. At the same moment
! closed my eyes and let myself go, di-
recting all my efforts TO the end that
my fall should be I'm the center of the
track Twas conscious of q fearful blow
ON the back OF the head and remember
ON more until my senses returned.
When / opened my eyes, was lying
between the lines with no train i'm sight
/ found that had received number of
severe contusions. that my left shoulder
was dislocated, and that had sprained
my right ankle This seemed to be the
extent Of my injuries. In great pain ]
managed to limp to a cottage few hum
dred yards from the line, where an agri-
cultural laborer's wife was extremely
kind and attentive. She sent her boy
to fetch the local surgeon, who soon put
my shoulder right and plastered and
bandaged me all over. He then drove
me TO the nearest station, where tele-
graphed the news Of my safety, and
awaited the next train back TO New
York.
When / reached town, great many
OF the officials Of the line were ON the
platform to condole with me ON my acct
dent and congratulate me ON having es-
capped with my life. There had been
great excitement and apprehension.
When the train had arrived at Boston
and IL was seen that an accident had
happened and that ] was missing,
search for my body had been made along
the whole line. My disappearance had
been considered very mysterious.
My engineer friend, who had been ex-
&emely anxious about me, helped me
into carriage that he had in waiting
10 drive me TO my home.
'How, in the name of heaven, did
you escape with your life?''he asked as
we drove ont Of the station.
''I'll tell you all about it when we
get home," replied; ''but, first of all.
I was right and you were wrongi''
my dear fellow, |" he said laughing
", but In all sincerity, ST am extremely
glad that you have at least that satisfac-
ton out OF the melancholy business
Won heartily. s'-ExchauQe.