Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-08-27
stIttttD S storp.
A Fearful Night in q Signal Box.

am the wife of an ex-signalman on
the Uniform railway. His signal box
stands high up, white and solitary,
above charming country.
1t is very hot in Summer, when the
sun shines on the glass, and very cold
in winter, when the northeast wind
howls around it. and whistles aerial
music through the telegraph.
1t was an important lookout, for
within "A mile of il, numerous lines in
tersected each other. over which day
and night, trains were ever crossing
and re-crossing, with hair-breadth es.
capes Of collisions.
When John was courting me, he Of
ten made me tremble about il, by say
ing, Jane, that place is a trouble to
me one day know there will be q
crash feel it. \ man can't be al
WAYS in health. Even a signalman's
brain will sometimes become dazed
and muddled; and then if he makes a
mistake, a smash must come"
We were married, and John grew
brighter and more cheerful, and
trusted he had forgotten that wretch
ed presentiment of his about collision.
After six months, however. it return
ed, worse than ever. He used 10 read
all the accidents and when any Of
the officials were convicted for man
slaughter or discharged for negligence,
he would say: THAT may be my case
tomorrow, Jane; then what's TO be-
come of you:"
l am aware most men would not
have thought like him, but he had the
kindest, most sensitive heart.
''John," said at last, "why don't
YOU quit the situation, and get some
thing else?'
because married man should new
er give up one employment before he's
sure of another"
"Well then, dear, don't say any
more, or You'll make me as nervous
as yourself"
l had begun 70 think about the
cross-lines and the mail expresses as
much as John himself, though |
wouldn't let him know it. The signal
box began to haunt me, and l used
frequently to 60 up to the turn of the
road and'look at it for nothing ut all.
That idea Of a collision was a mono
mana with joint was becoming 50
with me.
A year went by safely, and excep,
for that miserable thought, no two
persons could be happier than John
and ], especially as We now had a lit.
tie daughter, who, for awhile, Danish.
ed Johns dread, and We talked Lope
fully of the future. Our prospects
were better, for my husband unexpect.
edly heard fran an uncle in Australia
who had made a comfortable fortune,
| and intended to return and live with
his relations
"Who knows, Jane? He was evel
kind, and he may start me in some
thing" said John, one evening, wher
had taken his tea TO the signal box
and was amusing Maudie with the col
ored lamps. ~ certainly will try, i
if" he added looking thoughtfully
up and down the lines, "nothing hap
pens before"
''For goodness sake, John, dom
talk like that! All has gone safely TO
four years; surely it will continue t.
do SO, with care"
II don't know that" he responded
gloOmiy. "It's the confoundeI Wyo
ming express fear. Within q spac
of a few minutes it crosses tine line O
the Hen shar mail, and often it's fiv'
minutes before its time"
''What do you do then, John?"
| asked, hushing Maudie.
"Why, then turn the colored lamp
then the express, knowing the mai
train hasn't passed, slackens speed un
til it has"
"And if you we're not to show tina
light!"
''It would come on, get into th
same line with the mail, and carriage
would go to lucifer matches"
'Oh, John please don't! You max
my blood run cold!"
After that, there was another fasci
nation for me besides the signal bo:
the colored lamps, by mistake
or omission in the use of which
knew not how many lives might p
hurled into eternity. regarded thel
with awe, and over again asked job
their use.
| Weeks clipped by, and We got Al
| 0thAr latter from IInclA Th0mnanu