Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-04-15
NO. 80.
Talfs aud Sketehfs.
From the Little Classics Series.
THE 6IGNAL-MAN-A MYSTERY.
BY CHARLES DICKENS.

"Halloa! Below there" !"
Waen he heard voice thus calling to
him, he was standing at the door of his
box. with flag in his hand, furled round
its short pole. One would have thought,
considering the nature of the ground, that
he could not have doubted from what
quarter the voice came; but, instead Of
looking up TO where stood on the top of
the steep cutting nearly over his head, he
turned himself about and looked down the
Line. There was something remarkable
in his manner of doing so, though could
not have said. for my life, what But |
knew it was remarkable enough to attract
my notice, even though his figure was
| foreshortened and shadowed, down in the
deep trench, and mine was high above
him, and so stepped in the glow of an an
cry sunset that had shaded my eyes with
my hand before saw him at all. d"
"Halloa Below."
From looking down the Line, he turned
| himself about again, and, raising his eyes.
saw my figure high above him.
"Is there any path by which can come
down and speak to you.'
| He looked up at me without replying,
and looked down at him without press
ing him too soon with repetition of my
idle question. Just then there came a
vague vibration in the earth and air,
quickly changing into violent pulsation,
and an oncoming rush that caused me to
start back, as though it had force to draw
me down. When such vapor as rose to
my height from this rapid train had passed
me and was skimming away over the land
refurling the flag he had shown while the
train went by.
repeated my inquiry. After a pause,
during which he seemed to regard me with
| fixed attention, he motioned with his
rollcd-up flag towards point on my lev
ell, some two or three hundred yards dis
tant. called down to him, IAN right !"
and made for that point. There, by dint
OF looking closely about me, found
rough zigzag descending path notched
out which l followed.
The cutting was extremely deep, and
unusually precipitate. 1t was made through
clammy stone that became oozier and
wetter as | went down. For these rea-
| sons, | found the way long enough to give
time to recall singular air of reluctance
or compulsion with which he had pointed
out the path.
When l came down low enough upon
the zigzag descent, to see him again,
saw that he was standing betwean the
rails on the way by which the train had
lately passed, in an attitude as if he were
| waiting Tor me 10 appear. He had his
| LETT hand at his chin, and that left elbow
rested on his right hand crossed over his
breast. His attitude was one of such ex-
pectation and watchfulness, that stopped
a moment. wondering at it.
l resumed my downward way, and.
stepping upon the level of the railroad
and drawing nearer to him, saw that he
was dark, sallow man, with dark
beard and rather heavy eyebrows. His
post was in as solitary, and dismal place
as ever saw. On either side, dripping
wet wall OF jagged stone, excluding all
view but strip of sky; the perspective
one way, only a crooked prolongation of
this great dungeon the shorter perspec-
tive in the other direction, terminating in
a gloomy red light, and the gloomier en-
trance to black tunnel. in whose mas
sive architecture there was barbarous,
depressing, and forbidding air. So little
sunlight ever found its way to this spot,
and it had an earthly deadly smell and so
much cold wind rushed through it. that it
struck chill to me, as if had left the nat
ural world.
Before he stirred, was near enough to
him to have touched him. Not even then
removing his eyes from mine, he stepped
back one step and lifted his hand.
This was lonesome post to occupy U
said), and it had riveted my attention
when looked down from up yonder. A
visitor was rarity. should suppose not
an unwelcome rarity Il hoped ? In ME, he
merely saw man who had been shut up
within narrow limits all his life, and who,
being at last set free, had newly awak-
ened interest in these great works. To
such purpose l spoke to him but am far
| from sure Of the terms used, for, besides
that am not happy in opening any con-
versation, there was something in the man
that daunted me.
He directed most curious look towards
the red light near the tunnels mouth, and
looked all about it. as if something were
| missing from 1t, and then look at me.
That light was part OF his charge Was
| it not
He answered in low voice, Don't
you know it is ?'
mind, as l perused the fixed eyes and
this was a spirit, not a man. have spec.
infection of his mind.
In my turn, stepped back. But in
making the action, directed in his eyes
some latent fear OF me, This put the mon
strous thought to flight.
"You look at me-" said, forcing
smile, ''as if you had dread OF me.n
81 was doubtful" he returned, "wheath
er had seen you BEFORE"
"Where ?"
He pointed to the red light he had looked
at.
There ?" said.
Intently watchiul of me, he replied (but
without sound). "Yes."
My good fellow. what should do
there However, be that as it may, new
CT was there, you may swear"
II think may" he rejoined. ''Yes
am sure may"
His manner cleared. like my own. He
replied to my remarks with readiness and