Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-06-08
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

life and reason are left me, was in Oc.
tober long while ago. l was at tha,
time a telegraph operator stationed upon
the Grand Trunk Line of railroad.
Mine was by no means a model place
of residence. There were beer gardens
drinking saloons, and gambling houses
out of all proportion to tue more re.
spectacle shops and residences; We had
two arrests of counterfeiters, and there
was scarcely day passed that there was
not brawl amongst the ruffians around
us. Still, there was school, and a
timid blue eyed woman had come tc
teach there.
How long an unprotected woman
might have lived there l can only guess
for Alice Holt had been there but three
months when she consented to walk
into church with me one day and walked
out my wife. This was in July, and
We had occupied pretty cottage nearly
quarter of mile from the telegraph
Office since our marriage.
Being the only man employed at the
telegraphic business in the town, was
obliged to remain constantly at the Of
flee during the day and part of the even.
ing. and Alice herself brought me my
dinner and supper.
There was small room next nv Of.
fee, with window, but only one door
communicating with the larger room
Here Alice had fitted up dressing Ia.
bic, and mirror, washstand, and some
shelves, where she kept pepper, salt and
pickles for my office repasts. fFhe two
rooms were on the second floor of a
wooden building that stood alone.
With this necessary introduction
come to the story of that October night
and the part my blue-eycd Alice, only
Is and afraid of her own shadow, PLAYED
in it. was in the Office at about 5:3C
o'clock, when one of the railway officials
came i'll, all fiurricd, saving:
'Stirling, have you been over to the
embankment on the road TO-DAY ?"
The embankment was not a quarter
of q mile from the office, on the east
side.
mo; I have not"
at was a special providence took me
there, then. One of the great masses
Of rock has rolled down directly across
the track. 1t will be as dark as a wolf
mouth tonight, and if the midnight ur
train comes without warming, there will
be a horrible smash up"
at must stop at Postville, then," ]
replied. 81 will send message"
"Yes. That is what l stopped in for
The down track is clear, SO You need
not stop that train"
"All right, sir"
I was standing at the door, seeing my
caller down the rickety staircase when
Alice came up with my supper. Itwas
hot and cold, so l drew up a table
and opening can and basket, sat down
to enjoy it. Time enough for business
I thought afterward. As / ate We
chatted.
ANY message to-day" my wife
asked.
"One for John Martin"
"John Martin 2" Alice cried "the
greatest ruffian in the neighborhood.-
What was the message! z"
Midnight traiu!"
"Was that all !"
"That was ALL Mr.. Hill has jus,
been in here to tell me there was a huge
rock across the track at the embank.
ment, so l shall stop the midnight train
at Postvilie. The passengers must wait
few hours there, aud come on in the
morning after the track Is cleared"
"Have you sent that message. Rob
ert?"
"Not yet. There is plenty of time
That train does not reach Postville til
half past IL and it is not yet 8. Yes
it is Just striking"
"Better send it, Robert. If there
should be an accident YOU would never
forgive Yourself Send it while I pu,
some clean towels in the wash-room
and then / will come aud sit with yor
till YOU can come home"
She went into the dressing-room a,
she spoke, taking no light, but depen
ding on the candles burning in the of
fee. / was rising from my seat to sent
the telegraph, when the door openet
and four of the worst characters in the
town, led by John Martin, entered tn,
room. Before I could speak. two threw
me back in nv chair, one held a revol
yer to nv head, and John Martin spoke
"Mr. Hill was here to tell you to stoy
the up train. You will not send tba
message. Listen. The rock is ther,
to stop that train-put there for tha
purpose. There Is $4,000 in gold il
the train. Do You understand 2"
aYou would risk AL the lives In th,