The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1906-02-09

RISKS LIFE FOR $4,000.


"
Sarah Bernhardts M have been
appearing in the French magazine. Je
Sois Tout, before coming out in book
form. They were ended in the latest num-
Der, with a record of her FIRST coming to
America IN her world-conauering tour of
Twenty-Five years ago. The last chapter
has a characteristic Bernhardtesque touch
that is of interest, and shows the perils
of American railways. She says:
w started for New orleans. AT last
we had sunshine. We could warm our
poor limbs. aching with three months of
deadly cold. We could breathe with open
windows and pure air in place of the suf-
locating and debil.tating warmth of
steam heat ] slept, and warm and per-
fumed dreams came TO cradle my sleep.
y knock sounded at my door. My dog
pricked up his ears and bounded to the
door. but he did not bark, for it was one
of my own people. l opened it, and Jar
rett, accompanied by Abbey. made me a
sign not to speak. 'Sh" He entered on
tiptoe and closed the door.
What is it? What's the natter
I'm sorry to say said Jarrett, that
the rains have so overlooked Lake Pont-
ahartsain that we cannot pass. 1t is nee
essary that we make u detour that will
take five or six days.
"'Why? Has the bridge fallen?"
Not yet. but it is tottering under the
terrible pressure of the water. The en-
gineer thinks that he can still pass, but
he has only just been married and he
will only attempt to pass on condition that
You give him $3.50 to send to Mobile.
where MS father and wi,e are living. II
we arrive on the other sid he Will return
the money, otherwise it is to go to his
family
II vow that 1 was stupefed with admira-
ton for the brave fellow. L cried:
"'Yes, yes; give him his twelve thous-
and francs ard go on!'
Il have already said that 1 generally
Travelled in a special train. My train was
then only made up of three carriages and
the machine. I did not doubt for a single
instant the success Of that criminal folly
or inform any one except my sister, my
dear Guerard and my faithful Claude and
Felecie. The comedian, Angelo. who slept
Jarrett'S stateroom during his trip,
knew what he was in for. but he was
brave and had faith IN his star. The
money was paid the Chauffeur, who imme-
diately sent it to Mobile.
"Only at the moment of starting did I
have a vision of the responsibility / had
taken. for I risked, without their consent,
the lives of twenty-seven people. but was
too late. The train was launched with a
irightful rapidity upon the bridge of boats.
was seated upon the step; the bridge
bent and swung like a hammock under the
dizzy force of our speed. When we We're
part way over it sunk so deeply that my
sister gripped my arm and closed her eyes.
clinging and nervous, but brave. In fact,
like her, | believed that our final moment
had come. And it is an abominable fact
/ did not think for a second of all those
who We're so full of confidence and life.
whom / was sacrificing. whom 1 was
killing. I only thought of one young and
cherished one who woul weep.
But ii was not SO inscribed for tina day
in the Book of Fate. The train righted
Itself, and, half bounding, half rolling. we
arrived upon the other shore. Behind us a
frightful turnult, a column of water hat
fell back with a ROSY road-the bridge had
collapsed.
II left that brave engineer his 12,5co
francs, but l did not have an easy con-
science, and fer long afterward my nights
We're troubled with the most awful night
mares, and when one or another artist
spoke of his or her baby, mother or hus-
that it would be so sweet to see
again L felt l went pale and a deep emo
ton tore me with agony. L felt 4 profound
pity for the / that / was"