The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-11-11
VOL. XXXV.--NO. 8

week than some couple of hours, I heard
slight vibration, the floor began to trem-
bic, the betting groaned and squeaked, and
then | knew, knew only too well, that the
end was near. The engine had started
and the machinery was setting to work.
In five minutes time the section of the
beam to which | was bound would be
caught in the merciless teeth of the gigantic
saw, and then, goodby to life
The beam being some six yards long,
and | being attached to the end furthest
from the saw, there We're some four yards
now standing between me and destruction.
| knew that the saw was a moderately
quick one, for had often watched it in an
idle moment, little dreaming of what the
future was to bring forth for me in con-
nection with this apparatus, and | calculated
that five minutes as least must elapse be-
fore | was caught by the revolving saw.
| wonder if any human being, no matter
how great his imaginative power, can real
ize, even dimly, my feelings as lay staring
up at the ceiling while the beam was slowly,
but surely, drawn by the automatic pulley
nearer and nearer to the saw.
And still the machinery whirred and
whistled, still the betting groaned, still the
wheels few round, bringing me nearer and
nearer to death.
Fora few moments fancy played strange
tricks with me, and the clearness of my
brain vanished. thought that was dead
and had passed to some wondrous island,
where Ella was beside me. Then | awoke,
and the horrible reality came back to me
with sickening pang. For the machin-
cry still whirred and whistled, the betting
still groaned, and the wheels flew round
bringing me closer and closer to the end.
Now | was yard from the saw, now
only two feet, and soon very soon, must
reckon in inches. Nearer and nearer STILL
the huge saw revolving ike some fierce
monster Its teeth shining in the warm sun
light, waiting to taste my blood Nearer!
God help me, nearer still
Twelve inches, eleven inches, ten inches,
nine inches. and still the beam crept on.
| was parched and chicken; my eyes seem
ed TO burn with red hot ferceness.
tried to cry out bnt breath failed me.
Nearer and nearer still
On, on, on, went the beam, and even
as | gave myself up for lost, and felt the
wind produced by the saw on my temples,
| heard 4 tremendous noise, followed by
piercing ory Of human agony. Then an
consciousness came, and | knew no more.
*
When recovered l found myself on
the floor of the shop My bonds had been
unfas;ened, and several people were beside
me One Of them, whom l took to be
doctor, inquired kindly how | felt
Much better, returned, as swal-
lowed the brandy which he held toward
me; very much better But now tell
me, please. what has happened, and how
ii comes about that | have been rescued.
you viii have to tell us afterward,
he said, pleasantly, chow it came about
that you were bound to that saw By
jove, you had very narrow squeak You
see, the boiler burst, and the machinery
stopped just in time.
| understood all in moment The
maniac, forgetful of all else save his desire
of vengeance, had doubtless forgotten to
open the safety valve, with the result that
the boiler plates had become overheated,
aud the explosion had occurred
looked up At the betting and saw that
it hung limp and inert
All, yes, said the doctor, noticing
my glance the shock Of the explosion no
doubt threw the belt off the shaft; but if
you look at your shoes, my friend, you win
see what narrow squeak you have had
looked at my boots and found that the
heels had actually been cut by the saw, so
that had not the boiler exploded at that
moment, | must surely have gone out to
one of the most horrible deaths that the
mind Of man can conceive.