Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-09

and could he never rise into the sunshine from
between those high stone wulls? Why, that
depended upon times and circumstances. Un-
der some Conditions there would BE- less upon
the Line than under others, and the same held
good az 20 certain hours of the day and night.
In bright weather. he did choose occasions for
getting little above these lower shadows ;
but, being at all times liable TO be called by
his electric bell, and at such time listening for
1t with reduub bled anxiety, the relief was less
than | would suppose.
lie took me int0 his box, where was a fire,
desk Tor an oihcia book 10 which he had to
make certain entries, d telegraphic instrument
with its dial face and needles, and the little
bell Of which he had spoken. On my trust
ing that be would excuse the remark that he
had been well educated, and (I hoped | might
say without ofFenee) perhaps educated above
that station, he observed that instances OF
slight incongruity in such wise would rarely
be found wanting among large bodies OF men ;
that he had heard lt was so IN work-houses, IN
the police force, even in that last desperate
resource, the army and that he knew 1t was
50, more or less, in any great railway staff.
lie had been, when young, (lt L could believe
It, sitting In that hut; he scarcely could), a
student of natural philosophy, AID had at
tondeG lectures ; but be had wild, mis-
used h:e opportunities, gore down, and never
rises again. He had complaint to offer
about that. He had made his bed and he
10y upon it. II was far too late 10 make
another.
All that have here condensed, he said in a
quiet manner, with his grave, dark regards
divided between me and the fire. lie threw
in he word :" Sir from time to time, and
especially when he referred 10 his youth. as
though to request me TO understand that he
claimed 70 be nothing but what | found him
He was several times interrupted by the little
bell and had to read off messages and send
replica Once ne had to stand without the
door and display Il ~ train passed. and
make some verbal communication to the dri-
yer. la the discharge Of rs duties observed
him 10 be remarkably exact and vigllant,
breaking off his disc Jurss at syllable, and
remaining silent until what he had to do WAS
done.
In word | should have set this man down
as one OF the safest OF men 70 be employed IN
that capacity. but for the circums .ances that
while be WAS speaking to me, he twice broke
off with = fallen color, turned his face toward
the little bell when 1t did not ring, opened the
door OF the hut, (Which was kept shut TO ex-
clude he unhealthy damp and looked out
toward the red light near the mouth OF the
tunnel. On both of those occasions he came
back to the fEe, with the inexphcable air upon
hun which | had remarked, without being
Said |, when | rose 10 leave hin, - you al
most make ne think that have met with Il
coDtented man "
Il am afraid | must acknowledge that L
saiu 1t 10 lead him on.)
q believe | used TO be So" he rejoined in
the los voice IN which he had first spoken {;
- bu. | troubled, sr-greatly troubled.
lie would have recalled the woods II he
could. Hc had s4id them. and took them
up Quickly.
with what Wh,t Is your trouble -
. Ii Is very difficult to impart, sir. Ii Is
very, very difficult to speak oi. If ever you
make lne anoth visit. will try to tell you "
But expressly intend to make you an
other visit SaY, when shall it be -
- 20 off early in the morning, and | shall
be on again al ten tomorrow night sir
- ~iil come at eleven
lie thanked ne, and went out at the door
With me- " II show you my white light
Ee said IN hIs peculiar low voice, - TIL you
have found the way up. W hen you have
tourd It, don'C call out And when you are
at the top, Cont call out
Ills manner seemed to make the place strike
c0iGer o Ii bat | said no InoIe than - y cry
weH.'
Aad when YOU come down tomorrow
night, don't call out Let ask you a
parting question. What made you cry Hal
loa Below there! tonight -
- Heaven knows sand /. :. | cried some
thing to that etiecf-.'
Mt To that effect, sir. Those were the
very words | know them WE'LL
Admit those were the very wOTds | sald
them, COUNT. because | sa you below
- FOR 10 other reason -
Nv nat other reason could have possibly
had +? 80
You had no feeling ,hat they were con-
veyed 20 you IL any SUI ernatursl way"
No
He shed me eood night, and ne!d up bis
hgnr. | walked up The sIde of the down Line
OF rails (wlth i very disagreeable sensI'i.n OF
d train coming behind me) until | found the
path. 1t was easier 10 noun, than to descend
and | got to my inn without any adveu ure
PGnctuai to my appointment, placed my
Tot on the Z gag next night, as the distant
i-cks were sinking eltvso. lie was waItlng
for az The bJttom. with his white light on
e.. | have not called OUT | said when
came CT Sc together may l speak now ,
"BY all means sir - Good night, then
and here's ny hama - Good nigh. sir
and here's mine" With that we walked ride
by eide TO MS box, uttered II, and sat down
by the ire
=. have made UP my mind, sir, be began
bearing forward as soon We were seated
and 81 eakIpg IN tone but a little above
whisper that you Will DOT have TO ask me
" ice V bat troubles me. / took you Tor some
one else, yesterday evening 1nat troubles
me-
That mistake
"Nc. That some ore else
Who Is it?"
| . don't know"
'' Like me ? "
IL d.n't hrow. | never saw the face
! 1 he left Is across the face, and the Ugh
arm is waved. Violently waved. This way.
| followed his action with my eyes, and i
was the action of an arm gestIcuiAtIng witt
the utmost lasslon aud vehemence " FO
! God : sd Ike clear the way ,
"One moonlight night said the man, "
was sitting here, when | heard a voice or.
.Halloa Below thcre,' | started up. looke'
firm the door, and saw tnls some els
st-ndiDg by tie red lgnt near the tunnel
wayIng as just now showed you. The voic
seemed hoar=e with shouting, and it .e-ied
Look out; L1ok our And then again
hailoa beow here Look out
caught up my amp. turned 1T on red, an
ran toward the figure, calling. hat
wong? What has hsppsned Where? l
stood just outside The b.ackness OF The tunnel
| L advanced 30 close upon il that | wondere
| a. It's keeping the sleeve across Its eyes, r.
light Up 30 II, auG a. my hand stretche
out, 10 pull lie sleeve away, when il wa
| gOnc.'
in5o ih tunnel - said l.
"No. rao on Into the tunnel, FIVE hun
dred yards. ! ssopIod. aud held my lam
above lay heaJ, and eA~ the figures Of th
| measured distance, and saw The wet stain
stealing down the walls and rr.ckling thr(
the arch / ran out again, faster III ~ l. ha
rar ia (for had a mortal abborrence of ID
place upon me,) and looked all around I'll
| Irufr IIph | wen