Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-16

From the Little Classics Series.
The SIGNAL-MAN--A MY0TKRY.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY.

Resisting the slow touch of a frozen
hnger tracing out Of my spine, / showed
him how that this figure must be q decep-
ton OF his sense and sight, and how that
| figures, originating in disease of the deli
| cate nerves that minister to the functions
of the eye, were known to have often
| troubled patients. some of whom had be-
come conscious of the nature of their af-
Fiction, and had even proved it by expert
ments upon themselves. LAS to an imag.
inaryecry." said /. lido but listen for .
moment to the wind in this unnatural val
ley while we speak so low, and to the
wild harp it makes Of the telegraph wires ~
That was all very well, he returned. af-
ter we had sat listening for while, and
the wires, he who SO often passed long
winter nights there. alone and watching.
But he would beg to remark that he had
not finished
l asked his pardon, and he slowly added
these words. tonching my arm -
within six hours after the Appear
ance, the memorable accident on this Line
happened. and within ten hours the dead
and wounded were brought along through
| the tunnel over the spot where the figure
had stood.n
A disagreeable shudder crept over me,
bnt did my best against it. It WAS not to
denied, rejoined. that this was remark
able coincidence, calculated deeply to i'm
press the mind. But it was unquestiona-
BILE that remarkable condolences did con-
tinually occur, and they must be taken in
to account in dealing with such subject.
| Though to be sure l must admit. added
Cor thought saw he was going to bring
| the objection to bear upon me), men OF
| common sense did not allow much for
comedies in making the ordinary calcula-
tions Of life.
He again begged to remark that he had
not finished.
again begged his pardon for being
betrayed into Interruptions.
"This, - he said, again laying his hand
upon my arm, and glancing over his
shoulder with hollow eyes, was just
year ago. Six or seven months passed,
and had recovered from the surprise and
shock, when one morning as the day was
breaking, standing at that door, looked
towards the red light. and saw the spectre
again" He stopped, with fixed look at
me.
"Did it cry out?"
mo. 1t was silent"
did it wave its armP"
No. 1t leaned against the shaft Of the
light, with both hands before the face.
Like this
Once more. followed his action with
my eyes. 1t was an action of mourning.
| have seen such an attitude in stone
figures on tombs.
"Did you 60 up to it?"
IL came in and sat down, partly to col
turned me faint. When went to the door
again, daylight was above me. and the
ghost was gone"
"But nothing followed? Nothing came
after this ?''
He touched me on the arm with his fore
finger twice Or thrice, giving a ghastly
nod each time.
THAT very day, as train came out of
the tunnel, noticed, at carriage win
dow on my side, what looked like con-
fusion of hands and heads, and something
waved. saw it ust in time to signal tho
driver, Stop! He shut off, and put his
brakes on, but the train driited past here
hundred and fifty yards or more. 1 ran
after it, and as went along heard terri
BILE screams and cries. A beautiful young
lady had died instantaneously in one Of
the compartments, and was brought in
here, and laid down on this floor between
u.s."
Invoun:arily pushed my chair back,
as looked from the boards at which he
pointed, to himself.
True, sir. True. Precisely as it hap
pened, so tell it you"
Il could think Of nothing to say, to any
purpose, and my mouth was very dry.
The wind and the wires took up the story
with long lamenting wall.
He resumed. "Now. sir, mark this,
and Judge how my mind is troubled. The
spectre came back, week ago. Ever
since, il has been there, now and again.
by fits and starts"
''At the lghtp"
"At the Dangerlight.
"What does 1t seem to do ?"
He repeated, if possible with increased
passion and vehemence, that former gesti-
culation, Of For Gods sake. clear the
way"
Then he went on. II have no peace or
rest for it. 1t calls to me, for many min
utes together, in an agonized manner,
Below there! Look out! Look out 1t
stands waving at me. 1t rings my little
bell"
l caught at that. "Did it ring your
bell yesterday evening when was here,
and you went to the door ?"
Twice"
"Why, see." said I, show your imagi-
nation misleads you. My. eyes were on
the bell, and my ears were open to the
bell and, il am living man, it did not
ring at those times. No. nor at any other
time, except when ii was rung in the nat.
ural course of physical things by the sta
ton communicating with YOU"
He shook his head. II have never
made mistake as to that. yet. sir. Ihave
never confused the spectre's ring with the
mans. The ghosts ring is strange VI
bration in the bell that it derives from
nothing else. and / have not asserted that
the bell stirs to the eye. / don't wonder
that you failed to hear 1t. But heard it."
"And did the spectre seem to be there.
when you looked out?"
ut was there"
Both times ?"
He rspea,ed firmly: "Bo.h times
"Will you come to the door with me,
| a nd loolr fnr IN now pn