The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-09-03
VOLUME 3.

\
own sake. But don't understan' about
them tellygrams, and I jist want to tell
We that yer'd better be squar'-for by the
Eternal ef you go back on me, I'll
stretch you on this yer floor as stiff as
ever l did a man yit /" and / felt the
cold muzzle of his revolver on my cheek.
Perhaps my voice trembled little; hut
was still unmoved in my resolution as
] replied:
"Never fear, sir; I'll tell him all about
the stock" He muttered something to
himself and still renamed standing over
me.
You have heard, perhaps, how much
character and expression a telegraph
operator can put into his tonch. Why,
there were dozens OF different operators
communicating with our Office. and /
could tell in the instant, without even
making mistake who it was signaling.
You could tell If a man was nervous
from bis telegraphing just as we'll as
you could from his handwriting. The
call that I cent hurrying across the State
to Council Bluffs must have rung out
upon the ears Of the operator like a
shrek.
&C. B.-Are you there ?'' was what l
asked, and almost instantly came back
a re- ply in the affirmative. Then, with
trembling hand / ratified off my message:
"For the love of God telegraph to our
downtown Office at once. Tell them that
Tim Lynch is within two feet of me, and
they must send help"
A short pause, as though my message
occasioned some surprise. and then came
the reaponse, "All right !" which assur-
ed me / need not repeat.
"Wal," growled the deep voice Of
Lynch, "are you going to send my mes
sage ?"
/ 81 have sent it, sir"
"What does all that tickin' mean what
told you ?''
"Yes, and if you will wait fifteen or
twenty minutes, you'll get an answer"
"Wall, dunno as l want an answer.
Jim he'll understan' it's all right"
"But I'll tell you soon whether he's
there or not. Sit down."
So Lynch reluctantly took seat, look
ing around at the doors and windows
once in a while in an uneasy way. / was
determined now to take him at any cost,
and l verify believe would have plant
ed myself in~ilis path had he insisted
upon going now.
Tick, tick, tick % the battery called
out, and I listened to the message.
Keep cool. Gould has gone for the
police" Strange it was-wasn't it p
that should sit there and talk through
two hundred and fifty miles of space
with q man not half mile from me.
"What's that signify 2" inquired my
companion, as the ticking ceased; and /
replied that the clerk at Cohoe had just
written off the message and sent it out.
He was satisfied, and settled back in his
chair, where he sat in sullen silepce, his
jaws going up and down as he ehewed
his weed.
o, how slowly the minutes creptl The
suspense was terrible. / sat and watched
the minute hand of the clock, and five
minutes seemed as many months. My
companion seemed nervous, too. He
moved uneasily in his chair.
"Ain't it about time ye'd heard from
Jim ?" he said.
1--WE shall get word from him in a few
moments now," / answered, and fell to
watching the clock again. Five minutes
more passed. Lynch got up and began
pacing to and fro across the room. Al
length he paused and said
81 don't belleye III wait any longer;
I've got to see man down to the Penn.
sylvania House, and he'll be in bed if
don't get thar pretty soon."
Hold on a moment and I'll zee what
they're up to-" I cried hastily, and
touched the key. MAKE haste, shall
lose him if you do not. Not a moment
to spare," was my message, and straight
way came the reply, short, but encour
aging:
"a squad of police started for the de
; pot five minutes ago" Thank heaven
) they ought to be here now. I looked a
Lynch and thought of the FIVE hundred
dollars.
+ "Wal, what's the word ?" he growlet
impatiently.
) "Your friend is coming" l said, fo
want of better reply.
"Comin'i comin'! Wharf,"
"Coming to the office of Cohoe. Fl,
probably has an answer for you.
can answer for me?" Jim Fellers
e What should he answer for?" Lyncl
y stood in stupid thought for a moment
and then he looked at me with a danger
ous light in his eye.
!. "Look here, young fellow" he cried
a otis my private opinion you're lynn t
r me; and eff ye are"---here he uttered
r horrible oath-"I'll cut yer skulkir
heart out don't know anything abou
3 that thar masheen, but swear Jim Fe
d lers hain't got nothin' to answer. Nor
d likely he'd git up and cater when b
Y heerd that message"
1t He stood glaring at me as he uttere
i these words, his hand on his revolve
= "I can not account for it," / remarked
W I am timid man by nature; but thi
e action only made me bolder. Every
thing depended on keeping him fe
r, seconds longer. 1t must be done at an
lie cost. 1 tried new plan.
10 "What do you mean, sir ?" shoute'
y rising, "by coming into this Office an
Ut talking in that style? Do you think i
re endure it? Leave this room at once, 81
ig or Ill-and l advanced threatening
lie toward him. My unexpected attitut
~ seemed to amuse' more than anything ell
az but il silenced his suspicious. He pl
OF his hands in his pockets and delivered
m loud laugh in my face.