The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-06-19

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until | too slept.
The whole time l dreamt of nothing
but railways. They we're everywhere
rushing and tearing about me; their
shrill whistles deafening my ears.~ be-
held the express and the mail with
noiseless horror, rushing toward each
other, with lights seeming to laugh with
tendish mirth; then there was an awful
cry-a crash, and scene of destruction.
was awoke by my own criesm
Irritated at being So startled, hustled
about to forget the scene, and put
Maudie TO bed, and again sat by the fire
and dozed.
Scarcely had done 50, however than
there arose before me a shadowy figure
of indefinite 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,
| started, rose TO my feet, and | could
have declared the figure stood on the
hearthrug. in the fire light, only il grad
ually melted into air.
just then the clock struck half-past
ten
In half an hour the Wyming express
and Henshar mail would be due At
that I began to tremble violently, and,
throwing on my shawl, determined to
go and look at the signal-box, and see if
all was righ
White mists had risen since | was last
out; and above them, rising from a bill
lowy sea, as it was about mile distant,
rose the "look out" distinct in the moon
light.
But where was John? Generally
could see him moving about; now, the
place appar rently was empty.
What did it mean? There was one an
swer-John was asleep!
Never shall forget the sensation that
ran through my veins at that thought.
The crown of my head seemed to liter
ally lift up. Then, why, could never
explain, ran. back, seized Maudie, and
afterwards hurried to the signal. box.
Rapidly l ascended the steps to the
lookout" I tried the door, it was fas-
tened on the inside; and what sight met
me within, through the glass!
John, sound asleep, his head on his
armsl
Calling to him loudly, I shook the
handle. He did not stir. All was 81
lent, save for the monotonous tick of the
clock, beating out the fatal minutes,
above his head. dared not delay
dashed in the glass, put in my hand,
turned the key, and entered. Even this
did not arouse him.
"Johnp' I called, shaking his shout
der; "what is the matter with yon?-
Wake up. It's eleven, the express is
comingw
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 moth
er as l was, forced Maudie to cry, ho-
ping that might awaken him. 1t did
Slowly he looked up heavily; but only
to sink back to sleep. At the same mo-
ment, heard in the distance the faint
whistle of the express train. 1t was
coming, and Henshar mail had not yet
passed. The terror of whole life was
condensed into those few minutes. The
collision John had foretold had come at
last All my efforts to arouse him were
futile. ! stood alone, the trains hush
ing to their fate. saw the awful sight
of my dream realized; saw men, wo-
men, children, in enc fearful heap, amid
broken carriages. My brain reeled; l
turned sick Then the intensity of my
fright apparently cleared my brain.
Why should l not save them?
As the question occurred, the whistle
of the advancing mail sounded. Look
ing right and left, perceived the grow
ing lights of each engine coming nearer,
nearer, for the line was clear. 1 waited
no more. 1 recalled what John had
told me, and turned the signal lantern
for the express to slacken speed. Ea-
gerly, 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
whirl under me, and knew as fell in
insensible on the floor, that nearly two
hundred people had been on the brink
of the grave, and, that had saved them
Ny baby's cries, however, soon recalled
my senses, when, fetching water, I dashed
it over John, and at last brought him
to. I shall ever remember his look
when 1 told him what had occurred. He
could not believe the mail had passed
but I soon proved it to him beyond q
doubt.
81 can't make it out Jane" he ex
claimed. 81 have not the slightest rec
ollection of going to sleep. In fact,
was doing all could to keep awake. 1
must be my cold"
q "What is that?" 1 asked abrupt,
, pointing to a glass.
"Part of tumbler of beer Dick Ma
lin left me-" he answered.
I saw it all. The beer had been drug
: ged to work our ruin. John wouldn'
hear of it.
There being no more trains, we Wen
Q home, taking the beer with me.
v "John," said when there, "Pm goin
}! TO show am right about Richard Malir
p Seel" and before he could prevent me
y had drank the contents Of the glass.
n A quarter of an hour after, was il
r. as dead a sleep as he had been.
d But this act had destroyed any proc
o we had against Richard Marlin, whC
: however, discharged himself from hi
% situation.