The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-09-14
he peremptorily objected to by him.

We peieiiptoiiiJ oUJeCteu w Wy uuu.-
What then?
Why, simply this. / would telegraph
to the down town station. But alas !!
that very day the connection between
the two offices had been cut for repairs.
1t was seldom used at any time, of
course. But what of that.p It was
only question OF few more seconds
ltime.
All these thoughts went through my
mind with the rapiditY Of lightning as l
went to the battery. Lynch regarded
me from the corner of his uncovered
eye with suspicion that made me shake
in my shoes. AS | sat down he arose
and came to my side.
"Look.a-here, young feller," he hissed
lin my ear, and his breath was siekening
with the fumes Of liquor, "perhaps you
mean fair enough hope ye do, for
your own sake. But / don't understan'
about them tellygrams, and jist wan,
to tell We that yer'd better be squar-
for by the Eternal! ef you go back on
me, il stretch you on this yer floor as
stiff as ever did man yit!' and felt
the cold muzzle of his revolver on my
cheek. Perhaps my voice trembled O
little; but was still unmoved in my
resolution as l replied:
Never fear, sir: I'll tell him all abou,
the stock. He muttered something to
himself and still remained standing over
me.
You have heard, perhaps, how much
character and expression telegraph op-
orator can put into his touch. Why,
there were dozens of different operators
communicating with our office, and l
could tell in the instant, without even
making mistake who it was signaling.
You could tell if man was nervous
from his teleeraphing just as we'll as you
could from his handwriting. The call
that l. sent hurryirg across the State to
Council Bluffs must have rung out upon
the ears of the operator like shrek.
sc B-Are you there ?" was what l
asked, and almost instantly reply came
back in the affirmative. Then, with q
trembling hand, l ratified off my mes.
sage:
"For the love of God telegraph to our
down town 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 response, "All right!' which assured
me ] need not repeat
"Wal!," growled the deep voice Of
Lynch, "are you going to send my mes.
sageY'
Il have sent il, SIR"
"What! does all that tickin' mean
what l told you2"
Yes; and if you'll wait ten or fifteen
minutes you'll get an answer"
"Wall, l dunno as want an answer.
Jim he'll und4-staHa ~ 8 All rig Ill....s,.5
"But III tell yon soon whether he's
there or not. Sit down."
So Lynch reluctantly took seat, look
ing around at the doors and windows
once in while in an uneasy way. was
determined now to take him at any cost
and l verify believe l would have plant
ed myself in his path had he insisted
upon going now.
"Tlck, tick, nick, tick!" the battery
called out, and 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 a man not half mile from me.
What's that signify2" inquired m,
companion, as the ticking ceased; and ]
replied that the clerk at Cohoe had jus
written off the message and sent it out
He was satisfied, and settled back in his
chair, where he sat in sulen silence, his
jaws going up and down as he chewed
his weed.
Oh, how slowly the minutes crept
The suspense was terrible I sat and
watched the minute hands 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 iron
Jim he asked
"We shall get word from him in few
minutes now," l answered, and fell L
watching the clock again. Five minute
more lasscd. Lynch got up and begal
pacing to and fro across the room. A
!, length he paused and said:
Il don't believe I'll wait any longer
I've got to see a man down TO the Penn
sylvania House, and he'll be in bed if
don't get thar putty soon"
"Hold on moment and I'll see wha
They're up to-" cried hastily.and touch
, ed the key. snake haste; / shall los
him if you do not Not a moment t.
spare,' was my messsge,anl straightwa
came the reply, short, but encouraging
"A sqad of police started for the de
pot five minutes ago" Thank heaven
! they ought to be here now. l looked a
Lynch and thought Of the five hundre
. dollars.
"Wall, what's the word ?" he growled
"Your friend is coming" / said, 70
: want of better reply.
"Comin'! Comm whar2''
"Coming to the office of Cohoe. II
probably has an answer for you"
!, San answer for me? Jim Fellers
e What should he answer for" Lyme
Y stood in stupid thought for momen
and then he looked at me with danger
: Gus light in his eye.
"Look ahere, young fellow" he criec
a "ifs my private opinion you're lyin' t
r me; and ef ye are'-here he uttered
s horrible oath-"I'll cut yer skulki
heart out. ] don't know anything abo'
It that thar masheep, but I swar Jim Fe
a lers hain't got nothin' to answer. Mo-
s likely he'd git up and cater when |
l heerd that message"
He stood glaring at me as he urtert
: these words, his hand on his revolver
n Il cannot account for it," I remarke'
IT | am timid man by nature; but this a
t. ton only made me bolder. Everythir
depended On keeping him a few minut
r, longer. 1t must be dore at any cost.
le l tried new plan.
% "What do you mean, sir ?" shoute
% rising, 'by coming into this office al
: talking in that style :? Do you think !
{! endure it? Leave this room at one
IN sir, or lr'-and l advanced threate
ID inglv toward him. My unexpected (
= titude seemed to amuse him more tn
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