Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-10-25
A NARROW ESCAPE.

lie could not help thinking that
it would be the best, as well as the
quickest way out OF his difficulties,
Jennie and the baby would be pro
yided for; for himself, his one desire
was their welfare.
Everything had gone wrong with
him lately. A few months back he
had been travelling for an apparently
successful manufacturing company,
earning a salary which sufliced amply
to maintain his vile and child in com
fort, and, with the expectation of a
speedy berth as agent, which would
allow him to live at home.
His troubles began with u severe
attack oil grip, which with the result.
ing weakness, laid nm up Tor weeks
The company was generous and con
tnued his salary unttl one night the
factory was burned to the ground, and
all hands consequently turned out Of
work. Then came the astonishing dis
coyery that the concern had been
shaky for some time and needed only
tins 10 complete its ruin.
1t was a season OF universal bust
ness depression, and he had sought
continuously but il vain for a situation
which would enable him to support
his family. Sickness had made heavy
lHroads on his small stock oil savings,
and that morning he had given Jennie
the last 50 bin. Nor did he know
where to look tor another Fate
seemed against him A year ago he
had proudly Ieckoued himself a man
VINO could always make his way in the
world; now he had learned tIe bitter
lesson that those who are able and
willing 10 work may yet stand idle IN
the market place, because mo man
hath hired them"
He thought OF all this oil the unpaid
groceIs ana butchers bills, and with
difficulty restrained the groan which
might have attracted unpleasant at
tention from the passing crowd,
Moreover Jne rent was overdue, and
the premium OF his life insurance
must be paid within the coming week.
Ii the insurance lasped it would be
hard to effect another policy, and the
thought made him desperate. some
weeks ago, how many he could not re-
member, ne had written to his best
friend stating his plight, and asking
aid 1t was by no means the least of
his woes that he had had no reply to
tina, letter They two had been closer
than brothers and If Keene were i'll or
had fai1ed him there was no help in
man The strain OF 50 maay anxious
days and wakeful nights had been too
much for him, and he felt sick and
in body and brain God
mad forgotten him, would the devil
hclp him to commit the crime which
would send him to hell2
He stood on the curb, watching
cable cars, as they swung around the
curve packed with passengers. 1t was
Just at their busiest time, when all the
world was going home to
dinner or supper, according to It's
station in life There came to his
memory a quaint saying Of his old
nurse Them that takes the wrong
road into the next world cant expect /
% get to the right place" Wen, his /
sacrifice for Jennie aud the baby /
would De an the greater He saw no
8 her way to provide for them
o. God, pity and forgive me, he /
and then ne rushed forward /
ID front Of the changing car as It /
turned the corner II was raining, /
.ha drops freezing as they fell, and /
the crossing was slippery as glass
Ha u0Ied and fell on the ice 1
People shrieked. the car pulled Up
aith d sudden jerk barely touching /
1 10 "a the big policeman pulled him .
almost from under the wheels He
1es.a & confusion Of noises and knew /
mat he had failed Then ne felt him
.eIf losing consciousness, and hoped |
that Dc vas ding after all The