Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-11-11
on. 1 was awakened by my own

struction. was awakened by my Owl
cries 7"
Irritated at being SO startled, 1 bust
tied about to forget the scene, and
put Maudie to bed, and again sat by
the fire and dozed;
Scarcely had done so, however
than there arose before me a shadow,
figure of indefinite form, pointing out
OF the window in the direction Of the
signal-bo1.
L moved restlessly, and put nv hands
before my face to shut it ont. Finally
started, rose to my feet, and 1 could
have declared the figure stood on the
hearthrug, in the freight, only il
gradually melted into air.
Just then the clock struck half-pasi
ten.
In half an hour the Wyming express
and Henshar mail would be due. A,
that began to tremble violently, and
throwing on my shawl. 1 determined to
go and look at the signal-box, and see
if all was right.
White mists had risen since was
last out; and above them, rising from
a billowy sea, as il was about a mile
distant, rose the lookout" distinct in
the moonlight.
But where was John? Generally ]
could see him moving about now, the
place apparently was empty.
What did it mean ? There was one
answer-John was asleepl
Never shall 1 forget the sensation
that run through my veins at that
thought. The crown of my head seemed
to literally lift up. Then, why, could
never explain, 1 ran back, seized
Maudie, and afterwards hurried to the
signal-box.
Rapidly ascended the steys to the
lookout. / tried the door, it was
fastened on the outside; and what a
sight met me within, through the glass
John sound asleep, his, his head on
his arms
Calling him loudly, I shook the
handle. He did not stir. All was ST.
lent, save for the monotonous tick of
the clock, beating out the fatal min
utes, above his head. 1 dared not de-
lay. l dashed in the glass. put in my
hand, turned the key, and entered.
Even this did not arouse him.
"John !" called, shaking his shoul-
der. "What is the matter with you
Wake up It's eleven, the express is
coming |"
He breathed heavily, but made no
sign. What was the matter with him
His appeared no natural sleep. In my
alarm at the flying moments, fond
mother as 1 was, L forced Maudie to
cry, hoping that might awaken him.
1t did. Slowly he looked mp heavily /;
but only to sink back to sleep. At the
same moment 1 heard in the distance
the faint whistle of the express train.
1t was coming and Henshar mail had
not yet passed. The terror of a whole
life was condensed in those few min
utes. Tue collision John had fore
told had come at last. All my efforts
to arouse him were futile. L stood
alone, the trains rushing to their fate.
| saw the awful sight of my dream
realized saw men, women, children,
in one fearful heap, amid broken car
riages. My brain reeled; / turned
sick; then intensity of my fright ap-
apparently cleared my brain.
Why should / not save them?
As the question occurred, the whistle
of the advancing mail sounded. Look
ing right and left, / perceived the
growing lights of each engine coming
no more. / recalled what John had
told me, and turned the signal lantern
for the express to slacken speed.
Eagerly, breathlessly watched. Had
| after all, made a mistake? ? Yes-the
lights still approach No-they had
stopped
The next moment, the signal-box was
shaken to its base by the rush of the
mail train beneath it. / watched it fly
off in the distance, turned the light,
heard the Wyming express in its turn
sensible on the floor, that nearly two
hundred people had been on the brink
of the grave, and, that l had saved
them.
My baby's cries, however, soon re-
called my senses. when, fetching water,
l dashed it over John, and at last
brought him to, shall ever remember
his look when told him what had oc-
CURED. He could not believe the mail
had passed but l soon proved it to
him beyond doubt.
81 can't make it out, Jane," he ex-
claimed. "1 have not the slightest re-
collection of going to sleep. In fact, 1
was doing all 1 could to keep awake.
1t must be my cold"
What is that ?" / asked abruptly,
pointing to glass.
"Part of a tumbler of beer Dick
Malin left me, he answered.
1 saw it all. The beer had been
drugged to work our ruin. John
wouldn't hear of it.
There being no more trains, we went
home, 1 taking the beer with me.
"John," I said when there. "Pm
going to show ana right about Richard
Malin. See I" And before he could
prevent me, had drank the contents
of the glass.
A quarter of an hour after, l was in
dead sleep as he had been.
But this act had destroyed any proof
we had against Richard Malin, who.
however, confirmed our belief by dis
charging himself from mis- situation.
But the most singular part of the
affair was, in that very express train
travelled Uncle Thompson, who had
come down to see us. When he heard
of his narrow escape, and of how 1 had
saved him, he vowed he would never
forget it. He kept his word. He started
John in business, lived with us, and
made his will in our favor. Now ex-
press and mail trains no longer give us
sleepless nights, though We never our
selves travel by rail without thinking of
that fearful night in the signal-box.