The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-10-17


shrek disappeared. in the tunnel at the
end of the steep gradient, on the sumit
of which my station was placed. When
it was gone there was stiffness, Stiffness
broken-if can call it broken-only by
the peculiar signing of the air passing
across the wires which is heard even in
the, calmest night. I stood and listened
to the strange, melancholy Holian harp
like sound, now so faint as to be almost
inaudible, and anon swelling into wild
low wuiling. looked up and saw Orion
and the Pleiades, and thought how often
on nights, not, long ago, when I had
watched for Maggie in the wood, I had
gazed up through the tall, sombre pines
and watched their trembling fires. From
that my mind reverted to the earnestness
with which my wife had asked nae to re-
main at home that night, and the unusual
pensiveness Of her manner when she babe
nae good bye. What could be the mean
ing Of it all :? AZ a general rule, had q
most profound disbelief in omenS, pre-
sentiments, and all sorts of superstitions;
but, ia spite of it, I felt thatI would have
given good deal, at that time, to be
transported just for oAe moment to nv
home, to see whether all was there.
might have called upon my assistant, who
lodged in farmhouse Rot far distant,
and gone homc; but, as could give no
good reason for going away, resolved to
stay where | was, and get through the
night AS best could. 'If athis goes "n
much lsnger," said to myself,a turned
inside again, and poked up the Goals with
rather more neise and vlger than was abb
solutely necessary-"jf this goes ON mach
longer, | shall have to consult doctor,
that's plain" For kaew that the cause
less apprehsnsions which I had expert
enced wei eften emily the symptoms of an
unsound state of bodily health. l filed
my pipe and 1T it, but tho weed had lost
its usual tranquilizing power. AS the
wrcaths curled slowly upward, .aw my
wifs's face locking at me tearfully as
when had left her. Again the bell rang
sharply, but, as before ne Intelligence was
made by the needles. I leaned my ell
bows on the desk and, with my head be-
tween my hands, watched ,heir amending
motions. An hour might have passed
thus, whom once moro l was startled by
the clang of the bell This time it was
louder and nors urgent, and it seemed to
ne, though perhaps may err here, with
a peculiar and unearthIy sound, such as l
had never heard before lam utterly un-
able to tell in VIVA! msHRsr the impress
sisn was produced, but it seemed as if
there mingled with the Metalic ring the
tone of human veice-apd il was the
voice of one kneW. The needles, I now
observed, began to make signs which 1
understoo |, and slowly, as if some novice
were working the instrument, the letters
&c sm-s," were signsled. Ne seener
had l read off the final "e," than to my
amazement and terror, / distinctly saw
the handle Of my Instrument, although l
was not touching it as the time, as if
6 fasped by sane invisitlc hand, move
rapidly aud make the signal Understood"
which tho receiver of a message transmits
at the end of every word
A &c Id thrill ran through me, and I felt
as if every drop of blood were leaving
my heart. Could l have been the subject
of an optical delusion! knew that such
was not the case, for had plainly heard
the quick click of the handle as it turned,
and now l could perceive that another
word was slowly beiHg spelt out: but 30
bewildered and terrified was I, that fail
ed to catch the sigRs. Again my handle
moved, and this time made the signal
mot understood" with an overwhelming
teellRX al aWe,I watched the dials intent
ly, when the letters were again signaled
and this time read tho word "H-a-m-e."
Then there was cessation of all motion
for second or two, and once more the
needles resumed thar incoherent vibra.
tons. | stood petrifed with fear and
amazement. half believing that I was in
dream, for reason refused to accept the
evidence Of sense. Gould that be a mes.
sage for me -? And if 80, whence came it?
What hand had seat 1t? Could it be that
some power higher than that of nature
thus warned me Of impending dxnger
Should obey the mysterious summons
While thus deliberated, the bell again
sounded, with q Changer still more loud,
i'm operative, and unearthly, and, after
few uncertain movements, the magnets
repeated the words Come home-coms
home = the handles moving as before.
| could remain at my post no longer
Come what might felt that had no al
Tentative but TO obey. l ran to tho house
whore the clerk lived, and on rousing the
inmates and gaining admission. told him
that he must take my place Immediately,
as had been suddenly called away. The
man seemed somewhat surprised at my
excited and startled manRer, but what he
said or did cannot recollect. Om enter
ing the stable where my horse was stalled
| perceived a saddle hanging on the wall,
and knowing that could get over the
ground more swiftly by riding than driv-
lag, threw it on his back, and In a min
ute or two was daShing along tbc,road ia
the direction of home shall never for
get that ride. Although 1 urged my
horse with whip and voice until he flew
rather than galloped, the pace was far
too slow fer NV excited mind Woods