The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-10-07
CHARLIE CLIFTON'S PERIL.
HE SAYS 1T WAS "NUPFIN," BUT
MS FAMILY HAD A SCARE.

Small Boy Dodgod One Car While Playing
Tag with His Elder Brother and Fell
Under the wheel of Another The
Heel of Charles shoe was shaved OF.
just how nvo-year-old Charlie Clifton felt
during one brief minute Of Thursday after
noon whom he lay beneath the step Of Hobo
ken trolley car waiting for tho wheel to cut him
in two. won't be told by Charlie. His brother.
Frank. aged IL. who swooping down on
roller skates. drew all but the heel Of
Charles shoe from the track is less
reticent. Charlie. however. sits upon a cha ir
the height Of which doesn't allow his feet to
touch the floor. and although surrounded by =
llsping chorus Of little brothers and sisters
maintains strick reserve. Whom asked what
happened he says 'nufln." but to his mother
he has connded that he wasn't hurted at all
but dust frighted" and he didn't want to do
to tool"
Thursday afternoon the BOYS mother. Mrs
Eugene Clifton of1O8 Washington street had
put Charlie In his older brothers care.
Now run out and play. boys.while / get sup
per for your father who Is on the bay in tho
tug" she had said. But Frank. no matter
what you do. don't let anything happen to
Charlie"
Frank got his roller skates and rushed down
the three flights OF stairs TO the street. followed
skates were strapped to his feet. the older boy
proposed game OF tag. handicappinR him II
by agreeing to keep to the sidewalk. on they
started. Charlie was 1T" For a long time
Charlie ran about his pvoting brother. but
finally Franks foot slipped and, breathlsss.
Charlie patted his shoulder.
Deere 'ouse il" he lisped.
Then. mindful Of his brothers promise not to
leave the sidewalk. he darted across the street.
Trolley cars were approaching from both direc-
tons and heavy truck rumbling forward
hid the hoy from Franks sight.
You rascal. you know what mamma said"
he shouted. Come back here"
Frank skated hurriedly around to the rear Of
the truck Charlie lay under the step. two
inches from the wheel OF Washington street
car. which had crept down on him as he lodged
the car on the other track. Frank threw him
self on his knees. striking his own head
against the wheel. grabbed the collar
OF Charles coat and dragged his body from
beneath the car The wheel had shaved the
heel from Charles shoe. The motormau.
Charles Bruning. who had set his brake the
moment Charlie passed under the fender. had
brought the car to a standstill a few feet be-
yond the point where Charlie lay stunned.
Roundsman KildrufT and Norman Southland
OF 10 Washington street. who had witnessed
the accident from distance. came running up.
As Southland lifted Charlie from the ground he
opened his eyes. caught sight OF Kiidruf's but
tons and exclaimed: Don't take me to de
tation. Use did nuffn.' Te had not 4 single
brulse
Mo failed" he said as his mother rushed
into the police station later.
Yes. that's Just what he did" remarked
Roundsman Kildruff to the mother. He
lodged the car coming from the ferry and
slipped Just in front OF tho car going down hill
From the way he Law when his brother pulled
him out. the wheel would have cut him right
In two"
SerRt. Flannery decided not to hold the
motorman who had been brought to the police
station. Then Charlie. Frank and Mrs Clifton
went home