The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1874-10-16

What do you do then, John ?" I
asked. hushing Maudie.
$ Why, then turn the colored lamp;
then the. express, knowing the mail train
hasn't passed, slaokens speed until it
has"
g And if you were not to show that
light %
t' It would come on, get into the same
line with the mail, and the carriages
would go into lucifer matches
0, John, please don't. You make |
my blood run cold"
After that there was another fascina-
ton for me besides the signal box-the |
colored lamps, by mistake or omission |
IN the use of which I knew not
how many lives might be hurled to eter-
nifty. I regarded them with awe,
and over again and again asked John
their use.
Weeks slipped by, and we gotanother
| letter from Uncle Thompson. The
ship which brought him from Aus
traiia had been delayed by severe
safe in England, and intended to come
and see US.
'' Safe!'' remarked John; "no one
nowadays can reckon on that, with
long railway journey before him.
/ John slightly exaggerated, of course,
but that autumn the collisions and ac-
cidents of all kinds were something
fearful. Not a day passed but fresh
collisions were recorded, and, with a
morbid interest, John used to read
them, and make my soul quiver by the
remarks, "Such might just have been
my case, Jane. No doubt the fellow
was dead-beat Only the mercy of
Providence saves me from manslaugh-
ter, or g discharge through negligence.
One oppressively warm evening he
had, while at tea, been reading about a
more than usually terrible accident,
owing, it was stated, to the signalman,
who had been on the lookout for six
teen hours, making an error in the sig
mails.
Putting the paper down, he exclaimed,
''Jane, how often have felt as he de-
scribed, knowing how many lives might
be dependent on me. How I pray I'm
Gle Thompson may help US, and 1 may
give the whole thing up!'
Rising, he put on his hat he went on
duty at six. I watched him anxiously.
Never had I felt more nervous, for I
observed him nodding rnconsciously to
himself over his tea. Indeed, he looked
SO depressed I was half inclined to ask
to go with him. But I knew he
wouldn't consent, as it was against the
rules while independent of which, the
man who temporarily filed his place
was the greatest enemy John had, and
would be sure to tell of him if he did
So I knew Richard Malin bore bit
ter enmity to my husband, and would
gladly do an i'll turn to one whose rival
he had been. 1 was aware he never for
gave my accepting John and rejecting
him. So [ held my tongue, spoke
cheerfully as could, as I walked with
him to the corner of the road, and
waited until I saw him appear in the
signal box, when I retraced my steps.
I never felt SO nervously restless as
did that night. I could settle to moth,
ing, SO sat down before the fire.
kept light for Johns return, and triec
to divert myself with my baby, but the
child soon slnmbered, and I sat think
ing until I, too, slept.
The whole time / dreamt of nothing
but railways. They were every where
rushing about me, their shrin whistl,
deafening my ears. I beheld the ex
press and the mail, with a noiseless hor
ror, rushing toward each other, will
lights seeming to laugh with fendisl
mirth. Then there was an awful cry
a crash, and a scene of destruction.
was awkened by my own cries.
. Irritated at being SO startled, l bus
tied about to forget the scence, pu
Maudie to bed, and again sat down b.
the fire and dozed.
Scarcely had I done so, however
Il when there arose before me a shadow.
\ figure of indefinite form, pointing il
y the direction of the signal box.
moved restlessly, and put my hand
a before my eyes to shut it out. Finally
y I started, rose to my feet, and coul
y y have declared the figure stood on tn
II hearth-rug, in the freight, only
gradually melted into air.
= Just then the clock struck half-pas
: ten.
= In half an hour the Wyoming expires
,f and Hensher mail would be due.
= that began to tremble violently, an
IN throwing ON my shawl, determined t
, go and look at the signal box, and see
,. it was right.
7 White mists had risen since I wa
j, last out and above them, rising as fro1
a. billowy sea, about mile distant, ros
Il the " lookout" distinct in the moor
ii light.
- But where was John? Generally
" could see him moving about; now, tn
+ place was apparently empty.
a What did It mean? There was bu
one answer-John was asleep.
a. Never shall forget the sensation ths
to ran through my veins at that though
- The crown of my head seemed to litel
y
a ezplain-1 ran back, seized Maudit
~ and afterwards hurried to the signal boz
oe Rapidly ascended The steps to th
- lookout. I tried the door it We
70 fastened on the inside and what sigl
j. met me within, through the glass.
John sound asleep, his head on b
II arms.
e. Calling him loudly, I shook tt
handle. He did not stir. All ws
ar silent, save for the monotonous tick I
= the clock, beating cut the fatal minute
above his head. dared not delay.
- dashed in the glass, put in my han'
as turned the key, and entered. Even tn
did not arouse him.
s. 'sJohn - called, shaking his shou
20 der. sswhat is the matter with you
G Get Wake up It's eleven the express
to coming! r.
90 He breathed heavily, but made I
it sign. What was the matter with hin
IL He appeared in no natural sleep.
it my alarm at the flying moments. for
mother as I was, forced Mandie
L