Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-11-24

the broken cars and mangled passen-
gers. was still standing. and though
its timber looked quite old and
wcathcr-beatcn, there seemed to be
little danger of its breaking down be-
meath the weight Of a passing train.
There was a heavy freight train due
from the west about 6 o'clock, and L
resolved to wait until at least it came,
and if it passed over in safety there
could be, l thought, but little danger
of accident to the lighter passenger
train.
In due time it came laundering
along and passed safely overthe bridge.
But, though 1t might have been owing
to my excited imagination, it seemed
to me that the bridge bent and shook
beneath the weight of the train in Il
name highly suggestive Of danger.
| At all events, l resolved to wait a
| while longer and see If the stream,
| which was still rising, would have any
| apparent effect upon the bridge. l took
with me a lantern and also a thick
blanket to protect me from the damp
night air.
Shortly after sunset, as I was sitting
a few rods from the stream, / heard
q loud splash, and hrrrying to the
bridge I saw that n portion of the
bank on the opposite side had broken
away, and also that the action Of the
water, or some other cause, had weak
ened the foundations of the bridge in
such a name that a portion of the
line was ben and lowered enough Ia
make it impossible for 4 train to cross
Immediately crossed the bridge. re-
solved to stop the train, If possible,
before it reached the bridge and GER
tain destruction.
went on in the direction from
which the train was to come, and soon
found a good place which commanded
a view of the line FOR a considerable
distance. I lit my lantern, wrapped
my blanket closely around me, and sat
down to my wearisome watch Of two
hours. The night was clear, but not
very dark, though no moon was shin
ing. I suffered nothing from cold, as
I was remarkably warm, ever for the
| climate Of Virginia, and 1 succeeded
in keeping awake, though the task was
a difficult one.
Slowly the moments passed by, but
at last I saw by my watch that the
time had nearly expired, and a few
moments would decide the fate Of the
train and its human freight. Soon l
saw a light, far away and very small
at first, but rapidly growing larger and
brighter. l arose, trembling with ex-
element, and commenced swinging
the lantern above my head, and as the
train drew near / doubled my exertion
and shouted as loud as l could.
Onward came the train at a rapid
speed.
1t was a time of terrible suspense
to me. Should the engineer fail to see
my signal, or not see it in time to stop
the train before going a few rods past
me, / knew that no human power
could save ii. On it came, and, just
as I gave up my exertioIs and stepped
from the line, my frantic signals We're
observed. arousing the sleepy brake
men like an electric shock, who few
to their stations.
Tie train was quickly stopped, and
1 then Informed the engineer and een-
ductor Of the danger ahead, while the
frightened passengers left the car
riages and gathered around me. Many
a brave man grew pale when lie
learned what a fearful death he had
so narrowly escaped.
Among the passengers ! found my
wife. not mangled and l~ifeless, but
alive and well. though somewhat
frightened and a good deal surprised
at seeing me The conductor gave me
n seat next my wife and then had the
train backed to the station it had just
left. from which kilograms We're sem
to warn all other trains of the danger
In the morning my wife and / took
the stage for home.-Pittsburg + lsss