Middletown transcript., 1904-07-16

nts1 ssitAA iuuttbiHct ulufiuuf Vi Huul1ki
voices that sounded vague and far away.
| She tried to move, to raise her arm,
which still aciled with a dull pain, bat
she could not. Some immovable burden
seemed crushing her into the very earth.
Where was size and what had happened7
She raised her head slightly and looked
about her. Broken timbers, splintered
woodwork, and few feet distant, almost
within reach OF her hand, heap of
brown clothing underneath a mass of
twisted irons and broken panels. As she
looked, it moved and gray head in an
old Scotch cap raised itself up and looked
wildly about.
"Hiram?' she grasped, looking into the
familiar face, which had not changed be-
yond recognition.
Aglad light overspread its rugged lines
as he recognized bis wife's voice. ''Se-
reny, be called feebly, sis that you?"
'Yes,it me. .Hiram-what there is left
OF me, she answered, a strange feeling of
content creeping into her heart, despite
her awful surroundings "Are you much
hurt ?" she asked anxiously, trying to get
another look at hislace, but she was only
answered by a low moan. "Was that
you, Hiran?e she called, but receiving
no response, she shrieked wildly for help
and struggled to throw off the leaden
weight which held her firmly to the
ground. Her efforts sent sharp pains
tearing through her bennmbed flesh and
she sank back exhausted.
A faint smell OF smoke was in the air,
and new fear possessed her. In imagi-
nation she conld discern the cracking
of flames and the smell,of burning flesh.
Itseemed ages before the welcome sight
OF living and moving human form ap
peared in response to her appeals for help
and began the dangerous task OF extricat-
ing her from the mass Of splintered
wood and iron.
Him first; he's dyin'," she gasped,
motioning toward the heap of>butternut
clothing, whose wearer had remained
mute and dumb through all her wild out
cries.
Hes done for, guess. :, said one bend
ing over him.
No; he was alive just minute ago.
Get him out as qnick as you can, she
begged, trying iu vain to get another
glimpse of the gray head
''It will take an hour to loosen tho.e
irons, and he'll be gone long before va
can get him clear" argued one. WED
better help you first.
If ynn don't get him out you can let !
me stay here till doonisday,', she cried
fiercely.
rs he your husband, ma amp" asked
the man. curiousiy.
"Yes he's my husband, and hain't
seen him afore in fifteen years till ste
him in that pile Of ruins. Now will you
90 to work? Hiram, Hiram y she called
wildly.
As if in response to her impasxiened
call he opened his eyes and moaned feebly.
4Hiram, don't you dast to 90 dyin'
now. Do yen hear?" she commanded au-=
eyes, Sereny." lie sighed, and relap-
sed into unconsciousness.
He breathes, George, said one of the
attendants, as they laid him on the wait.
ing stretcher, @but he'n never walk again
DR. I'll miss my gness. Now then, it's
your turn, man. =
Presently, after an age OF agony, two
stretchers stood side by side in the car,
waiting to receive the bruised and mailn-
ed survivors OF the Wasland railway
horror.
Yes, he lost leg and lost an arm, but
We are pretty good team If we are a little
mismatched, amt We, IIiram2' she said
turning to the white-haired old man who
stood leaning on his crntches In the mild
glow of the autumn afternoon, as she
lexterously wl,isked lop-sided broom
around among the table legs after a few
tray crumbs.