The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-06-16

Immediately sought some means Of
Escape froru tho doom that stared me in
the face. / could find none. To hang on
by the remaining cord at the head Of
tho hammock was impossible, as direct
~ tho other was cut through there would
be no support to my feet, which could
not place over the side of the sacling
without their coming in contact with the
mechanism of the coach. Fer the same
reason l could not grasp any of the
framework above, as tho only parts on
which l 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 l 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 lffs was literally hanging on a
thread, and could only lie there trem-
bling, in a cold sweat, watching until
my fragile support should give way.
Suddenly the engine whistle gave a
long scream, and / knew that the brake
was being applied and that our speed
was rapidly slackening What could it
mean? A distance signal must be against
us. If only the train would come to
standstill l 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 mo
that the line was now clear. felt the
brake removed.
Now was the time or never! knew
that the train would not move any slow
81 during the time that could hope to
continue in my position. We were 60
ing 1 s to 20 miles an hour.
Whipping out nay pooketknife, /
reached up one hand and out through
the thin strand that supported one side
Of my hammock At the same moment
closed my eyes and let myself go, d.
recting all my efforts to the end that
my fall should be in the center of the
track was conscious Of 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 in tight.
found that l had received anunber Of
severe COMMISSIONS, 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 I
managed to limp to cottage few hun
5,o1 xya.,Je f,.f,-,, {l,a limo xzr{,ara on, ori
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
bapdaged me all over. He then drove
me to the nearest station, where l tele-
graphed the news of my safety, and
awaited the next train back to New
York
When I 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 it was seen that an accident had
happened and that l 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-
tremely anxious about me- helped me
into carriage that he had in waiting
to drive me to my home.
Chow, in the name of heaven, did
you escape with your life?''he asked as
we drove out Of the station.
"I'll tell you all about it when we
get home" replied; ''but, first of all,
was right and you were wrongP'
my dear fellow" he said laughing
~, but in all sincerity, 81 am extremely
glad that you have at least that satisfac-
ton out of the melancholy business. I
congratulate you heartily. '-Exchange.