The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-06

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the two supporting cords at the head Of
my hammock. saw, with afeeling Of
extreme horror, that through friction
with part Of the radial axle frame It
had been out more than half throughl
was hanging by mere tilamenti If that
broke, death was certain. must either
be thrown between the wheels of the
carriage and frightfully mangled 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 tho head Of
the hammock was impossible, as direct
~ the other was cut through there would
be no support to my feet, which could
not place over tho side Of the sacking
without their coming in contact with the
mechanism OF tho coach. For tho same
reason I could not grasp any Of the
framework above, as the only parts on
which could lay hold were tho 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 All end to my existence There
was absolutely nothing to be done but
await my fate, which I did, not with
that calm composure that is supposed to
mark the hero, but in unspeakable ter
TOR. My life was literally hanging on
thread, and could only lie there trem-
bling, i'll cold sweat, Watching until
my fragile support should give way.
Suddenly the engine whistle gave
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 BIO against
us. If only the train would come to a
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 tho line was now clear. felt the
brake removed
Now was the time or neverl knew
that tho train would not move any slow
er during tho time that I could hope to
continue i'll my position We were 60
ing 10 to 20 miles an hour
Whipping out my pocletknife,
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 oil my efforts to tho end that
my fall should be in the center of the
track. Twas conscious of fearful blow
OIL tho back of tho head and remember
on more until my senses returned
When I opened my eyes, / was lying
no 1n al
found that had received number of
severe Commissions, that my left shoulder
was dislocatcd, and that 1 had sprained
my right ankle. This seemed to be the
extent of my injuries. In great pain
managed to limp to cottage u few hun
dred yards from the line, where OIL agri-
cultural laborer's wife was extremely
kind and attentive. She sent her boy
to fotch tho local surgeon, who soon put
my shoulder right and plastered and
bandaged mo all over. He then drove
me to the nearest station, where telo-
graphed tho news Of my safety, and
awaited the next train back to New
York
When 1 reached town, great many
OF tho officials of the line were OH the
platform to condole with mo 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 1t was seen that an accident had
happened and that 1 was missing, a
search for my body had been made along
tho 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.
How, 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" I replied; but, first of ali,
was right and you wcro wrongl"
My dear fellow" he said laughing
ly, but i'll all sincerity, II am extremely
glad that you have at least that satisfac-
ton out of tho melancholy business.
congratulate you heartily. "-Exchangc.
Reason For Incidence
Our public school and university sys.