Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-09-12

Atlantic, but now he was safe in Eng
land, and intended shortly to come and
see us.
"Safe |" remarked John; "no one
nowadays can reckon upon that, with
a long railway journey before him"
John slightly exaggerated, of course,
but that autumn the collisions and &C.
cidents of all kinds had been some
thing 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 have been
my case, Jane. No doubt the fel-
low was dead-beat. Only the melcy
of Providence saves me from man
slaughter, or a discharge through
negligence"
One oppressively warm evening, he
had, while at tea, been reading about
more than usually terrible accident,
owing, it was stated, to the signal-man,
who had been on the lookout for six
teen hours, making an error IN the
signals.
Putting the paper down, he ex-
claimed, "Jane, how often have I felt
as he describes, full of terror, knowing
how many lives might be depending on
me How I prayed Uncle Thompson
may help us, and I may give the whole
thing upH
Rising, he put on his hat; he went
on duty at SIX. watched him aDxi-
ously. Never had 1 felt more nervous,
for I had observed him nodding un-
consciously to himself over his tea.
Indeed, he looked so depressed, L was
half inclined to ask him to let me go
with him. But [ 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 him If he did so.
1 knew Richard Malin bore bitter
enmity to my husband, and would glad
ly do an ill turn to one whose rival he
had been. I was aware he never for
gave my accepting John and rejecting
him, SO held my tongue, spoke cheer
fully as I could, as walked with him
to the corner of the road, and waited
until saw him appaer in the signal box
when retrace1 my steps.
I had never felt so nervously restless
as did that night. I could settle to
nothing, so sat down before the fire.
kept light for Johns return, and
tried to divert myself with my baby,
but the child soon slumbered, and sat
thinking until I, too, slept
The whole time I dreamt of nothing
but railways. They were everywhere
rushing and tearing about me their
shrlll whistles deafening my ears. ]
beheld the express and the mail with q
noiseless horror, rushing toward each
other, with lights seeming to laugh
with fendish mirth d; then there was an
awful cry-a crash, and a scene of de-
struction., I was awakened by my own
cries
Irritated at being SO startled,
hustled about to forget the scene, and
I put Maudie to bed, and again sat by
the fire and dozed.
Scarcely had I done so, however, than
there arose before me shadowy figure
of definite form, pointing out of the
window in the direction of the signal
box.
moved restlessly, and put my hands
before my face to shut it out. Finally
I started, rose to my feet, and L could
have declared the figure stood on the
hearth-rug, in the ire-light, only il
gradually melted into air.
Just then the clock struck half pas
ten.
In half an hour the Wyming express
and Henshar mail would be due. Al
that 1 began to tremble violently, anG
throwing on my shawl, determined tt
i go and look at the signal-box, and SCI
if all was right.
White mists had raised since I was
last out and above them, rising from
a billowy sea, as it was about a mile
distant, rose the "look-out," 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 asleep
Never shall 1 forget the sensation
that run through my veins at tba
thought. The crown of my .heai
seemed to literally lift up. Then, why
1 could never explain, I ran back
seized Maudie, and afterwards hurried
to the signal-box. E-sj
Rapidly I assembled the steps to thu
lookout" I tried the door, it was
fastened on the outside and what {
sight met me within, through thu
glass
John sound asleep, his head on hi
arms.
Calling him loudly, I shook tht
handle. He did not stir. All wal
silent, save for the monotonous tick o.
the clock, beating out the fatal min
utes, above his head. I dared not de
lay. I dashed in the glass, put in my
hand, turned the key, and entered
Even this did not arouse him.
" John p 1 called, shaking hi
4 shoulder. What was the matter will
him? His appeared no natural sleep
In my alarm at the flying moments
? fond mother as I was, 1 forced Maudi,
to cry, hoping that might awaken him
1t did. Slowly he looked up heavily
but only to sink back to sleep. At th,
same moment I heard in the distanc,
the faint whistle of the express train
1t was coming, and Henshar mail hat
not yet passed. The terror of who'll
life was condensed in those few mo
ments. The collision John had fore
told had come at last. All my effort
to arouse him were futile. I stoot
alone, the trains were rushing to thei
fate. saw the awful sight of m,
dream realized ; I saw men, women ant
children in one fearful heap, amit
broken carriages. My brain reeled ;
turned sick; then intensity of m,