Middletown transcript., 1876-07-08
Select STORY,
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

This night, which will dwell in my
memory with vivid distinctness while
life and reason are left me, was in Oc-
tober long while ago. I was at that
time 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 the 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 rufians
around US. Still, there was a school,
and timid blue eyed woman had come
to teach there.
How long an unprotected woman
might have lived there 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 that town. / was
obliged to remain constantly at the Office
during the day and part of the evening,
and Alice herself brought me my din
ner and supper.
There was small room next to my
office, with window, but, only one
door, communicating with the larger
room. Here Alice had fitted up a
dressing table and mirror, washstand
and some shelves. where she kept pep
per, salt and pickles for my Office re-
pasts. The two rooms were on the
second floor of wooden building that
stood alone.
With this necessary introduction ]
come to my story of that October nigh
and the part my blue-eyed Alice, only
18 and afraid Of her own shadow, played
in it. I was in the Office about 7:3(
o'clock, when one of the railway officials
came in, all Aurried, saying:
"Stirling, have you been over to ths
embankment on the road to-day ?"
The embankment was not quarter
| Of mile from the Office, on the eas
side.
"No: l have not"
1T was a special providence took mt
there, then. One Of the great masse
of rock has rolled down directly across
the track. 1t will be as dark as wolf
mouth tonight, and if the midnight VI
train comes without warning, there vii
be horrible smash up"
"It must stop at Postville, then,"
replied. II will send a message"
Eyes That is what stopped in for
The down train is clear so you need no
stop that train
"All right, SIR"
1 was standing at the door seeing m
caller down the rickety staircase whe
Alice came up with my supper ftwa
hot and l cold, so l drew up table
and opening can and basket, sat dow
to enjoy it. Time enough for bushes
I thought afterward AS I ate W
chatted.
"Any message to-day !" my viii
asked.
"One for John Martin"
"John Martin ?" Alice cried; 9Th
greatest rufian in the neighborhood
What was the message ?"
"Midnight train p
"Was that all %
"That was all. Mr.. Hill has jus
been in here to tell me there was hug
rock across the track at the embank
ment, SO I shall stop the midnight trai
at Postville The passengers must wal
few hours there, and come on in th
morning after the track is cleared"
"Have you sent that message, Rob
ert II"
"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 ther
should be an accident you would neve
forgive yourself. Send it while I pu
some clean towels in the wash-room