Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-03-15
The switch-Tender's story.

in which nv future Efe-for some years,
at least-was to be spent; a rough cabin of
logs and latns, with chimney Of stone
and plaster, in the midst of almost I'M
cleared woods, and shut in by the huge,
precipitous crests of rocky hills. Neigh
bOrs there were none, save at Hiram
WyclIffe's red farmhouse IN the valley
some few miles below; aid it was only in
the blue transparency of the clearest days
that could see the dim wreaths of smoke
curling up from his chimneys.
Yet the solitude was not unpleasant TO
me. | had needed employment, and here
II was ready to nv land. | had been
struggling to ward off the iron grasp of
actual poverty; here was competence
decent, although barely sufficient Nor
was discontinued.
had not, however. been the only aspi-
rant for the situation Of switch tender al
the Branhill Station. John Walker had
also applied for il, and had heard a float
ing rumOr, half-heeded at the time and to-
tally disbelicved aflerwari, that pretty
Barbara Wycliffe had herself gone to the
city and used her influences with the
attaches OF the railroad company In Walk
er's behalf. | admired Barbara Wyciifie
myself-there was something IN the trOplc
glow of her dark Spanish beauty, and the
sDaI Sle of her black FLASHED, brown eyes,
that was strangely attractive to me. Some
how I did not fancy her becoming the wife
of u sullen, retcient fellow Ike John
Walker; and whenever the vision OF pos
siblG home aof my own rose before me,
Barbara Wycliffes glowing face lightedup
its underlined walls.
The sun was creeping slowly up the leaf
less woods aud sOmbre stretches OF black
green pines that covered the eastern hill
one sparkling March afternoon. as | came
leisIlreiy in after half an hours brisk work
at wood down in the hollow. The
instant | entered I became conscious, by
that peculiar magnetic influence which all
have experienced, of the presence of some
one else in the little apartment. Nor was
mistaken John Walker was lounging IN
the rockingham by the one window, read
ing week old newspaper.
Halo, Walker how came y0u here
Through the back-door. I've jlst
strolled up from Wyclitfes. And how are
yol getting along, old fellow"
~Oh. first-rate What are you don 2"
Nothing just at present aIn looking
for a place on the E. road as brakeman
until something better turns up. Upon
NV word you've got things pretty snug
here, Reuben. Does the Company give
you the placer"
Comfortable, though not gorgeous"
he said. mice warm walls, chimney big
enough 10 roast an ox-two, il you want
'em-furriture neat--clock on the shelf
what's that for, eh?"
1 smiled as l confessed the clock
utility
mot having vet attained the dignity of
a watch, l depend on clock to inform me
"Oh, that's it, Pretty hard work
Switches changed often?
.OaI.~ tu-ioa d~y, viIUu the down
Lightning" meets the Accommodation
on the branch road, and the Way Mail on
the branch leaves the main track
.Late:"
could not but think him impairment,
and looked rather suddenly at him; but he
was not at all disturbed by my gaze. What
a lounging, insolent sort of way he had as
he put the questions indiferently to me
as if even the petty details of my daily life
were preferable to no amusement al all.
But resolutely checked my rising choler
by remembering that in certain sense, he
was, for the time being, my guest-though
an unwelcome one-and answered, pleas
antly:
"Well, YES, late and early; at nine in the
morning for the branch road, and seven in
the evening for the - Lightning"
II should think you led pretty easy
life of it, Eyre" said Walker. wrinkling his
ugly eyebrows discontentedly.
You are right; it is not hard, only one
has TO be promptly on the spot"
Yes he said, absently; yes, to be
sure. See much of old Wyclife's folks
here, ehs"
Occasionally"
We chatted on for five or ten minutes
longer. and was unmistakaliv relieved at
length to see him rise to depart. Ali the
time he had been talking, his cold, gray
eyes had wandered about the apartment,
not uneasily, it is true, but seemingly en-
deavOring to avoid meeting mine: and he
never once looked at me with the frank,
fearless gaze that was most appropriate be-
tween man and man.
well, old fellow, I'm off Don't make
love to pretty Barba if I 90 on the E.
roadi ]"
smiled forced smile but Icould have
cheerfully knocked the coarse lester down.
and / watched his retreating footsteps with
a feeling OF hearty qualification. had
never liked or trusted that man; and the
very idea Of his presuming to-taae Barbara
Wycliffe's name in his mouth was indie
scribably revolving to me.
The next day was one of those brilliant
bits Of sunshine and brightness that occa-
sionally diversity the early weeks Of our
Northern spring. Gcant couriers of soft
eyed April and poisoning May. The air
was blue as liquid sapphire; the folded
leafbuds seemed visibly to stir and swell,
and here and there, in sunny, sheltered
hooks, the velvet grass glowed greenly be-
meath dead, rustling leaves. / had been
down in the woods piling up and trimming
the logs had yesterday cut, and on return
ing up the narrow glen path / saw the
light fiutter of scarlet shawl cross the
window of my little dwelling from the
inside.
More company" I thought, with
quick, electric bound at my heart; for |
knew there was but one woman for miles
around who would be likely to visit me,
and then, besides, Barbara Wycliffe's sweet
eyes were like lodestars to me, ana l felt 1t
must be her. sprang up the slope with
movement as light as my heart, and entered
at the wide-open door.
Barbara" I said, holding out both my
hands, "this is an unexpected pleasure.
She had been crimson when my footstep
first sounded on the threshold; now she
turned deadly pale with whiteness that
startled me-
.sOh. is it you, Reuben-Mr. Eyre? Pm
so glad you have come. IL" She
stammered and suffered painfully, end
was much confused IL was lookirg for
our stray guinea-fowisin the woods above,
and | went further, than had any idea of. |
/ was very tired, and 1 thought I would
stop in minute and rest"
And you are as welcome as flowers.in
May, Barbara but you knoU you are"
For she had smiled up in my face with