The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-10-12
A Strange Freak Of the Wires.

In view of the perils of rapid transit
over the network of iron rails that encom-
pass the length and breadth of the land, it
is worth while to note an incident that
took place some years since on one of the
great thoroughfares that lead out from the
city Of New York through the Empire
State, connecting with many arteries di-
verging in all directions over the grand
prairies of the mighty West. At that peri
Oh, as at the present moment, the "tele-
graph" was a valuable auxiliary, and
used to expedite the movements of trains,
particularly when behind time or delayed
by accident. Upon the Division Superin-
tendent was placed the authority Of for
warding trains by telegraph and keeping
the road clear. On one occasion an east
bound express was many hours behind
time, and, to use railroad term, was
running against a similar train bound
west having the right of way. The rules
and regulations of the telegraph depart
ment were very strict and required much
care and good judgment on the part of the
attaches. Soon the delayed train came
laundering along, winding around the
curve like a huge snake, the shrill whistle
of the locomotive echoing far away over
the hills and valleys, and, passing safely
off the main track, silently and slowly
crept on to the side switch. The iron
horse became motionless mass, while
the conductor turned to the Office for
further orders. He was quite anxious to
reach another station number of miles
distant, having a large number of impa-
tient and importunate New York passen-
gers, who followed him to learn the result.
and who had become very demonstrative
at the thoughts of reaching the end of their
journey with such loss Of time
The welcome order comes at last to
move on, etc. How do you understand
it, Mr.. Conductor ~ is the question asked.
The answer is to be repeated uerbdtina ct
tateratsm, and it is also required of the
receiving operator to acknowledge by his
signature and office call, after such recep
ton, that it is all right, all correct. Sud
denly, when only the latter was wanting to
complete the whole arrangement, the sub
tie element had vanished like raw of
meteoric light, the relay gave no sound
whatever, and the cratic fluid, by some
singular fatality, danced no more over the
flashing wires. Everything was legal and
proper, and but the simple signature and
response of the astonished operator, over
whose shoulder the head officer stood pow.
erless, awaiting the developments Of time.
The tardy conductor assured the ticket
agent and operator that he felt justified in
proceeding on his journey. The indig-
nant passengers expostulated against de-
lay. Here was curious case of respon-
sibility to decide, technicality to over
come; but, alas! a simple doubt was in
the way. The operator gave one glance
at the human freight safely anchored on
the switch, tore up the dispatch and
turned away. The train waited its allotted
time and then resumed its onward flight.
The next day, in an interview that took
place between the Superintendent and
agent, the former stated the fact that the
limb Of tree had fallen over the wire at
the critical moment, breaking the circuit
completely, and furthermore Congratulated
and sustained the agent in his action with
the remark Eorthy Of repetition: That It
was far better for a train to remain or tbs
road week in safety, than be runnin 2
blindly in the slightest shadow of possi-
ble doubt.-Boston Globe. .rs - 3d..