Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-09-12
IN 4 SIGNAL BOX.

L am the W1fe OF an eX-Slgnalman on
the Uniform railway. His signal-box
stands high up, white and solitary,
above a charming country. '-.N. N.''
It 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 it, numerous lines in
tersected each other, over which, day
and night, trains were ever crossing
and re-crossing, with hairbreadth es-
capes of collisions. ls 4E
When John was courting me, he
often made me tremble about it, by
saying, Jane, that place is trouble
to me; one day know there will be a
crash L feel it. A man can't be al
ways in health. Even a signalman's IS
brain will sometimes become dazed
and mud died (; and then if he makes a
mistake, crash must come"
We were married, and John grew
brighter and more cheerful, and I
trusted he had forgotten that wretched
presentiment of his about the collision.
After six months, however, it re-
turned, worse than ever. He used to
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 ?" ,-..,
am aware that most men would not
have Thought like him, but he had the
kindeat, most sensitive heart. u.s.
John," I said at last, "why don't
you quit the situation, and get some
thing else ?" 0r'."f ..'.+
Because a married man should
never give up one employment before
he is sure of another"
"WelI then, dear, don't say any
more, or you'll make me as nervous as
yourself" raerau
IIhad begun to think about the cross
lines and the mail express as much as
Jonh himself, though I wouldn't let him
know it. the signal-box began to
haunt me, and I used frequently to go
up to the turn of the road and look of
it for nothing at all. That idea of a
collision was monomania with John
it was becoming so with me. .r,.. 4,
A year went by safely, and, except
for that miserable thought, no two per-
sons could be happier than John and I,
especially aswe now had little daugh-
ter, who, for awhile, banished Johns
dread, and we talked hopefully of the
future. Our prospects were better, for
my husband unexpectedly heard from
an uncle in Australia, who had made a
comfortable fortune, and intended to
return and live with his relations.
"Who knows, Janep He was ever
kind, and he may start me in some
thing" said John, one evening, when
had taken his tea to the signal-box, and
was amusing Maudie with the colored
lamps. "I certainly viii try, il, u
he added, looking thoughtfully up and
down the lines, "nothing happens be.
fore. att4 +" a>-l'@ "21> "S --".-
"For goodness sake, John, don't talk
like that ALI has gone safely for foul
years; surely it will continue to do SO.
with care.3 3LttTS 81 .1il6fr11
81 don't know that" he responded,
gloomily. "It's the confounded
Wyming express I fear. Within 6
space of few minutes it crosses the
line of the Henshar mail, and often it's
five minutes before its time"
"What do you do then, John p
asked, hushing Maudie.
"Why, then 1 turn that colored
lamp; then the express, knowing the
mail train hasn't passed, slackens speed
until it has"
And if you were not to show that
light p .r ..,
at would come on, get into the same
line with the mail, and carriages would
go to lucifer matches"
"Oh, John, please don't ! You make
my blood run cold p
After that, there was another fascina
tion for me besides the signal-box-tht
colored lamps, by mistake or omission
in the use OF which 1 knew not how
many lives might be hurled into eter
nifty. l regarded them with awe, and
over and over again asked John theil
use.
Weeks slipped by, and we got another