Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-12-20
A Niuht TO Remember.

The night which will dwell in my
memory with vivid distinctness while
life and reason are left me, was in Oc.
oner, Iong while ago. was at thai
dme telegraph operator, stationed upon
the Grand Trunk Line OF railroad.
Minewas by no means.s>model place
ofresidence; There ~er~Peer gardens,
drinking saloons and gambling houses
out Of all proportion to the more re-
.rsctable shops and residences; we had
:woarrests of counterfeiters, and there
vas scarcely a day passed that there
vas not a brawl among the ruffians
sround us. Still there was school and
stimid blue-eyed woman had come TO
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
10 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
telegraph business in the town, / was
Obliged 10 remain constantly at the
offcr and part of the evening and Alice
herself brought Inc my dinner and
supper,
There was a small room next my
Oaee, with 4 window, but only one
door communicating with the larger
room. Here Alice had fitted up a
dressing table, and mirror washstand
and some pepper, salt and pickles for
ny Office repasts. The two rooms were
Oh the second floor of building that
stood alone.
With this necessary Introduction /
cone TO the story of that October night
and the part my blue eyed Alice. only
e. and afraid of her owl shadow,
played in it. | was in my office at
about 80 o'clock, when one of the
railway officials came in. all fiurried,
aying:
stirling, have you been over 10 the
embankment on the road to-day?" The
embnkment was not q quarter of a
nile from the office, on the east side.
"No; have not"
at was special providence took me
there then. One of the great masses of
rock had rolled down directly across
The track. Il will be dark as VOLTS
cuth to night, and if the midnightm
up train comes without warning, there
will be horrible smash up"
ltmust stop at Postville, then," 1
replied, 81 will send a message"
YES. That is what stopped in for.
The down track is clear, so you need
not stop that train.
All right, sir.r
Twas standing at the door, seeing
ny caller down the rickety staircase
when Alice came up with my supper.
1t was hot, and | cold, so ] drew up a
hoe, and opening can and basket, sat
lO"n to enjoy it. Time enough for
business thought afterward. As ate
Ee chatted.
Any message to-day? my wife
asked"
One FOR John Martin"
John Martin?'' Alice cried; "the
greatest ruffian in the neighborhood,- -
what was the train?''
Midnight train"
Was that all 20
That was all. Mr.. Hill has just
zen In here 10 tell me there was huge
'VcA across the track at the embank-
1iett so | shall stop the midnight train
Arostville. 4 The passengers must wait
'ieT hours there, and come on in the
1Orning after the track is cleared"
have you sent the message,
Rejer.''
Not yet. There is plenty of time.
iHAt train does not reach Postville till
~ -@.i past II, and it is not yet 8. Yes, it
NJast striking.'
Better send it, Robert. If there
sAOaid be an accident you would never
'''sNe yourself. Send it while i put
lle clean towels in the wash room,
--a lhen will come and sit with you
al you can come home"
'he went into the dressing room as
e spoke, taking no light, but depend
Vi the candles burning in the office.
- rising from my seat TO send the
gram When the door opened, and
Vi the worst characters in the
led by John Martin, entered the
Before 1 could speak, two
.' .''e" me back in my chair, one held a
'Vi'ef TO my head, and John Martin
-. u. hlll was here to stop the up
'n' You will not send the message.
"' The rock is there to stop that
n. N-put there for that purpose.
ha he Is 1000 in gold ON the train.
you understand?"
You would risk all the lives in the
~ !" rob it." cried horror-struck.
isetly'' was the cool reply
nsH S1e nth is yours if you keep back the
ssn The money has been watch
sA the way along"