Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1909-09-02
A Lucky Accident

sJOlu WlllldillS lay upGlt Tic SlOuuu,
his face twitching now and then with
pain. Try as he would he could not
help but vince, when an especially
circulating twinge of agony shot
through his body. A heavy carsill,
lying across his leg, pinned him down,
while all about others lay, here a wo-
man, there a man, some bearing their
suffering with the StoiciSm of an In
dian, others moaning aloud, and cry
ing out to God to hear them. Out In
the open, through the splintered walls
of the car, he could see workmen max
ing vain efforts to remove the wreck
age and reiease those imprisoned be-
meath the debris.
But a few minutes before he had
been bowling along through the coun-
try. His brow, above unseeing eyes
which stared out into nothingness, had
been wrinkled in thought Turned
down." he had said to himself as he
stood on d corner in the heart of the
great city. 81 suppose I'll have to for
get-that's ALL" Then he boarded a
street car Cor long ride, thinking
this would aid him in that complex
process. Il can't see why Edith
should want him, either he COM
muned.
Then came the crash. AS the car
rounded the curve which led to Pan
her Hollow bridge which spanned the
boulevard, and which was wide enough
for but a single track, there came a
sickening rending of splintered wood.
Some che had Numbered. John heard
the frail wooden railing craclIle, felt
tie sensation of hurting downward
through space - then oblivion Min
utes later he opened his eyes to a
scene Of hopeless desolation to which
the shriehs of the injured, blood-curd-
ling in their agony were added as an
additional touch
AS his eyes opened, realizing that
he was pinioned fast, he lay back
against the cushioned car walls. The
thoughts which had been speeding
through his brain before the crash,
came back with renewed pers1Stency
rs he lay there. IF | just had money
and wasn't such a fool Oh if it
were only the money! could get that
all right" A thought struck him. He
WINGED. Could II" he jeered at him
self aloud After this smash I'll be
in nice shape Likely be a cripple for
life" and an attempted smile wither-
cd away as he WINGED again with the
pain. Guess it's goodby Edith for
mine" he said despondently, and
closed his eyes.
AS the "honk-honk' of an automo-
bile struck his ear, he opened them
again Through the prison walls he
saw the radiator of big touring ma
chine, giittering in the sunshine,
grinding to stop on the boulevard.
Above the .chug chug of the motor and
The rending Of timbers, as the work
men attempted to remove the wreck
age, he heard a voice which he knew.
He opened his lips, and tried his best
to shout aloud, Edith" Even his
tongue had betrayed him, for not a
sound came from his throat Then
fearing that she would leave the sight
Of suffering, he allowed a groan to
escape him.
Alighting from the motor, Edith
Jackson's steel blue eyes softened as
she asked & few hurried questions OF
the foreman, who was directing the
operations of the relief corps. Then,
finding that but slight progress had
been made toward removing the iniur-
ed she took command IN firm tones
she ordered the men here and there
not sparing even the foreman. Slowly
the mass of splintered wood and twist
ed steel was removed Two of the in
iured had already been carried to the
auto, when she happened to peer be-
meath the debris
"Oh, jack" she cried, all the COM
passion of a woman sounding out in
the words as she gazed into the pale,
twitching face framed in splintered
timbers and hurt. Oh, Jack Will
iams-you injured" her voice break
ing as she spoke. Quick as a flash
she turned and ordered five burly
workmen to the spot. With crowbars,
aided by orders and concentrations
assisted at times by her small, white
hands, the heavy sill was pried up and
Williams dragged to the light.
Dainty hands carefully bandaged
the fractured ankle, perfuned hand
kerchief serving to tie the last one in
place. With utmost care the limp
form was carried to the waiting auto
mobile. Climbing into the tonneau
after him., Edith gave the curt order,
Home You needn't mind the speed
laws this time" she added.
Then the ponderous car careened
on it's way down the boulevard, she
drew Jacks head into her lap, and
leaning over kissed him twice, while
her eyes glittered with light which
he had often hoped to see there.
"Billy?" she replied in answer to
Jacks query "Why, I never even
thought of him."
And they say that good nursing by
the right nurse will work wonders for
very badly injured men, Leonard r.
Sawvel