The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-30
THE ENGINEERs GHOST STORY
A Thrilling Tale of Railroad Lie,

IL would be idle to rehearse the passing OF
The summer and the coming Of the winter.
with their continued yisitations that then
indeed, came more seldom, but every tame
with more power. had struck work FOR
season, and had bean up resting with Mar
garet, at her mothers for two delicious
notwithstanding, just closing my eyes 10
peace. | had begged her then, before came
away, to marry me; for thought if ] had
the dear real face for my daily companion.
10 come home to, to 60 out from, the fictitious
one would perforce die . natural d. ath. But
even had Margaret entirely consented, her
mother had too many scruples to suffer her
only child to leave her for such precarious
protection as mine might be. So went
back to solitary life again.
Ny trouble had now become such a chronic
thing that, except when it's manifestations,
or their results, were extraordinary, I took
no serious note Of them; only re possibility
Of their future coming, and tho actualitv Of
their past hung over me like . black, suffo-
eating cloud, awake or asleep.
In fact, though, had no sleep, deserving
the benefcent name. In place Of the sweet
oblivion and rest Of forgetfulness that other
men knew, had for my part, long and liv-
ing nightmare.
In all this time had failed to end sufi-
cient strength to obey the physicians order,
to cut through the cursed thing that was
killing me, with the sharp hange Of NV
wheels, and annlhilate it. But DIR. Blanchard
had found me out, although in consulting
hlm had given no name, and one afternoon
be accosted me in the street, on my way to
the station, not to ascertain what progress
had made-for that was visible enough in
my aaggard and jaded appearance-but to
ask if was to be on duty that night.
responded in the affirmative, and on hearing
the reply, he said gently, that he should
have the pleasure of trusting himself to m
guidance for the trip, and if had no objec-
ton and could find room for him, be would
be my companion on the Black Bess.
Of course | perceived his intention suffi-
ciently well and perhaps it was an unwise
thing Ior him TO propose, for his mere pres
ence was more likely to conjure up the ap-
pesrance than to help me to overcome it
II | tell the rest Of my story as it appear
ed to me then, and as my troubled brain
received it, 1t is because my remembrance is
nearly as vivid as the suffering, md | can
hardly say to-day where reason ends and
phantaSms begin.
We had a snowy night for this excursion
Of DIR. Blanchard's, so much is certain not
like that great, white, whirling storm, in
which the face, all wrapped in folds Of bridal
lace, fitted before me and rested till stop
ped, and not all the big plows in the COM
paws use could then have advanced the
snowed-up train an inch but night OF
gusty flaws, when light down dropped on
the track and was gone, and velvety fakes
draped spray and twig of the woodland and
shook off showeringly as we passed !; snow
squalls dashed blndingly across our path
and all the sky was gray and dazzling be-
wilderment.
knew that whatever the weather was
Margaret would not fail me at the stat On
and then told the doctor, as we nesred
/ Brookford, what sight there vas in store
| for him at that place, and remarked that il
was, may be, fortunate that night, that Mar.
garet bad really to 90 to the track in order
to reach the spot where she was to wal
Us, ir looking out that no danger befel her.
self, should be less likely to encounter tn Al
wrath Of hers, Ior could | see them botl
together.
The doctor shook his head, bidding me minC
my own business, and have that degree o
confidence in Margaret as to believe her ca
pable Of taking care Of herself.
And looking out into the wsvering white
ness lit by the glare OF the headlight, Will,
be shouted forth his good advice, all at ono,
-"There there - | cried. 'sThere il is I
"Where p demanded the doctor, spring
ing to gaze over my shoulder, as il his nm
trained vision could have discerned 90 mucl
as an outline in that thick air. "Damn it
don't be fool drive on ~
"Where ?"
answered, sTbere right before Us.
woman walking. See she has turned be
head she sees US; she did not hear rs il
that gust, we have frightened her she STUN
bles, she falls, she is lying on the track, sh
cannot get up-that face, that white face,
it is Nargaret's p
"By God there is no woman there !" b
replied, before had finished. My eyes ar
as keen as yours. tell you there Is not
single object before US till we reach tn
Brookfort lights"
had stretched out my hand to pull NJ
when caught = rlight glimpse Of hin
brandishing an iron bar over my hea(
"Touch that handle," cried he, "and wi
knock you down p'
"You are mad" sale, calmly, "Do 10
suppose fear your bilIys While am ma
ter Of the Black Bess she does not run dow
q womAn-least Of all that one"
|, The whole Of this was so hurried that M
even George Rowe, who stood staring an
gaping, could make out q syllable.
. VERY we'll" said the doctor then, "a
yelling bis words il ny ear, "You are col
WINGED that you see this face, and q yo'