“THE PAPER DON'T SAY."

Temuka Leader, Issue 1265, 15 November 1884, Page 1

“THE PAPER DON'T SAY."

A few evenings ago a Mr Secure w » reading an account of a fatal accident ■' a factory at L——, and which the report- - had described in a great many words. “I declare, wife, that was an a Mi accident over at the mill," said Mt So cum.”

“ What is it abon'. ?” “ I’ll read the account, wife, and then yon’ I know all about it." Mr Slocum then begm to read : “ Horrible and Fatal Accident.—lt becomes our melancholy and pamfu! duty to record the particulars of an accident that occurred at the lower mill in this village yesterday afternoon, by which a human being, in the prime of life, was hurried to that bourne from which, as ih« immortal Shakespeare his it, “ no traveller returns.’ Mr David Jones, a wsrktnan who has but few superiors, was superintending one of the large drums (‘ I wonder if ’twas a snare drum, such as the soldiers have V said Mrs Slocum) he became entangled. His arm was drawn around the drum, and finally hi* « h--le body was whirled over the shaft at a fe rful rate. When his situation was <ii--covered he had revolved with immense velocity for about fifteen minutes, his head and limbs striking a huge beam a distinct blow at each revolution.” “ Poor fellow, how it must have hurt him,” said Mrs Slocum, “When the machinery had been stopped, it was found that Mr Jones’s arms and leas were macerated into jelly.” “ Well, didn’t it kill him?” asked Mrs Slocum with increasing interest. “ Portions of the dura m iter, cerebrum, and cerebellum, in confused masses were scattered about the floor ; in sh<>r’, the gates of eternity had opened upon him.” “ Was the man killed 1”

“I don’t knov; haven't come to that place vet ; you’ll know when I’ve finished the piece.” Amt Mr Slocum continued renTng * “ It was evident when the shapeless form was taken down that it was no longer tenanted by the immortal spirit—that the vital spark was extinct.” “Was the man killed ] That’s what I want to know,” Mrs Slocum, “ Do have a little patience,” said Mr Slocum, eyeing his better half over his spectacles. I presume we shall come upon it soo n.” And he went on reading : “ This fatal casualty has cas* a gloom over our village, and we trust that it will prove a warning to all persons who are called upon to regulate the powerful machinery of our mitK”

“ Now,” said Mrs Slocum, perceiving that the narrative was ended, “I shou.d like to know whether the man was killed or not.”

Mr Slocum looked puzzled. He scratched his head, scrutinised the article he had been perusing, and took a careful survey of the journal. “ I declare, wife.” lie said, “it is curious, but really the paper don’t say.”—American naner.