The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-12-25
A TRAGEDY IN A TUNNEL
"I HE night express was making
its customary pause at Gran
than station while the en-

q
next long run 100 miles, to York.
1t was not crowded train. as
easily perceived when l alighted with
the rest to stretch my legs Most OF
the passengers had turned out. too. and
we lounged about. staring at each
other without keen interest until time
was up and the sharp cries of Take
your seats" Now for the North. sent
us back to our carriages.
had a compartment to myself, and
regalned it without paying particular
attention to those nearest me. save In
the vague, unconscious fashion that
would hardly serve for later recogni-
ton One man | noticed in the next
carrlage-he and [ alone We're travel
ing first" at any rate, in that part Of
the train--but do not think | should
have known him again but for his
travelling cap with the lappets tied
under his chin and his loose ulster
with a cape-dlstinct facts in his ap-
pearance. although they made little
impression on me at the Time.
Then another matter claimed my
notice There We're sudden cries,
"Now, sir nOw If you're going on,
look sharp. sir. please" saw man,
laggard. hurrying down the plat
form. putting breathleSsly in evident
distress, rs though The pace was too
great for hun.
He made sTaight Tor where sat.
but stopped one compartment short Of
mine, and as the train was already
moving ;hev hustled INN in necl; and
CROP the signal was given Right,
the whistle sounded The engine driver
blew response sad We steamed
ahead full speed
felt rather c0nc"rned about this
neighbor ant late arrival His white
face. his staring eyeEaiis ard hanging
tongue told OF great physical eShaus-
tion. and [ ialIc.ed that [ heard a
groan as lac tumbed into his carringe
Evidently he had run it very close
had come upon the platform at the
very last moment, and had all but
missed his train He had only Just
Joined Il, of that felt SIRE for | had
not observed him on 0ur departure
from Kings Cross nor here at Gran
than Why had he been so anxious
TO save his passage and such peril 70
himself? For he WAS ~ I made sure
he was ll-so sure that | threw down
my window aad. leaning out shouted
to the next compartment asking Il
anything was wrong.
No answer came. or It was lost in the
rattle and turmoil Of the express.
Once again | called out. having no
certainty that [ could be heard. but
certain at last that / heard no reply.
Why should 1 worry further: The
next compartment was not empty. IL"
knew II the newcomer was really
III and wanted help he could get II
from his travelling companion the man
in the loose ulster and cap tied under
his chin. whom [ believed 10 he in tile
carriage with him. 81 dismissed the
matter from nv mind and sank baci;
among the cushions Of my seat 10 rest
ana he satisfied.
[ must have cOzed of1 but only fOf
minute or two al 1 though. and
seemed to he still asleep and dreaming
when again I heard groan in the
next carriage. II was perfectly vivid
ana distinct impression as half wax
ing dreams so often are, could mol
Mt the moment say yhethe. what fol
lowed was reality o. a hglneni also
Of my drOWsy brain What / heard
I have said was q grOan fraught viii
Keen anguish, " hat 1 saw was quil,
MS clear but siili more extraordinary
and unaccOuutable
The IRAN had slowed Iowa ana wa,
almost at a siardsun We were IN
tunnel: he lamns IN the carriage,
threw a strong light upon the bricl
walls ana reflected all tllat was g0inl
On ia the cOmpartmfni neAt min,
none OF tie others near had luy occtl
rant.
but in tins the ad5uhM- compare
menl Two figures stood ON plainly
mems figures. and one held fhe othfI
closely IN lbs arms More lhan M
I could moi make out saw il clearly
although but a brief SPACE Only. q few
seconds Of time. for now the rain
moved on rapidly win incrcasin'
speed, and we ran oui Of the tunnel
The reflected scene of course disan
peared n once as completely As tlougl
wiDed of slate.
There was trouble next da0r. OF villa
nature 1t was impossible 10 guess. Mi
felt that it must be ascer,ained forth
with. If it was cas-, OF Ser.oEs m
uess then the one hale man woul,
surely ring the alarm he'll ana sae
assistance for Tie other. II II was Con
play he would make no sign. aud
then became my hOuEden duty 20 IN
terpose without delay.
These thoughts flashed auicsl
through nv mind, and Il seemed a
ngc while waited TO resolve m
doubts Probably no more than fe,
seconds elapsed before put my han
10 the signal and stopped the trair
was FIRST to get oui. and hardly wall
Ing the stoppage clambered along tl
rootboard aud stood upon Il. loolin
Into the carriage
No one was 10 be seen within.
"Quick, quicke' Ticried to tle guar
when hc came up I'm here. Som.
thlng has happened There & mn
sick; fear he has tainted He wasn
aloue. but cannot see the other man.
Now the carriage door WAS opene