Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-03-18
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

NS'"fh pHNlNtoA StNllpHtu III u llllle Va
madam town upon the Grand Trunk line
of railroad.
Mine was by no means model place
of residence. There were beer-gardens.
drinking saloons and gambling houses,
out of all proportion to the more respect
able shops and residences we had two
arrests Of countorfeiters, and there was
scarcely Il day passed that there was moi
a brawl amongst the ruilians around us
Still there was school, and timid blue.
eyed woman had como to teach there.
How long an unprotected woman might
have lived there, | can only guess, iol
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 n pretty cottage nearly quarter
OF mile from the telegraph Office since
our marriage.
Being the only man occupied in The
telegraphic business in the town, wa.
obliged to remain constantly in the Office
during the day and part Of the evening,
and Alice herself brought me my dinner
and supper.
There was small room next my office,
with n window but only one door, com
municating with the larger room. Here
Alice had fitted up dressing table and
mirror, wash-stand and some shelves,
where she kept pepper, salt and pickles
for my Office repasts. The two rooms
were on the second floor of a wooden
building that stood alone.
With this necessary introduction, l
come to the story of that October night
and the part my blue-eyed Alice, only
eighteen and afraid of her own shadow,
played in it.
| was in the Office at about half past
seven O'Clock, when one of the railway
officials came in, all Hurried, and said
" Stirling, have you been over to the
embankment on the road to day ?"
The embankment was not n quarter of
mile from the office, on the East side
" No; | have not"
" 1t 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 dark as VOLTS mouth
tonight; ; and if the midnight up train
comes without warning there will DO a
horrible smash up"
" 1t must stop at PostvilIe, them" /
replied. " will send n message"
-" Yes. That is what | stepped in for.
The down track is clear, so you need not
stop that train"
"All right, sir"
/ was standing at the door, seeing my
caller down the rickety stair case, when
Alice camo up with my supper. 1t was
hot and | was cold, so drew up table,
and opening can and basket, sal down to
enjoy it. Time enough for business after
wards, thought As ate, we chattcd.
" Any message to-day2" asked my
wife.
" One for John Martin"
"John Martin !" Alico cried "the
greatest ruaian in the neighborhood.- -
What was the message ?"
Midnight train I"
" Was that ali ?"
"That was ALL Mr.. Hill has just been
in here to tell mo there is n huge rock
across the track ut the embanlment, so |
shall stop tho train ut Postvilc. The
passengers must wait few hours there,
and come on in the morning after the
track is cleared"
" Have you sent that message, RobertT
Not yet. There is plenty of time.
That train does not reach PostviIle until
half-past eleven, and it is not yet eight.
Yes--it is just striking"
" Better send it, Robert. If there was
to be an accident you would never forgive
yourself. Send it while put some clean
towels in the wash-room, and then / will
come and sit with you till you can come
home"
She went into the dressing room as she
spoke, taking no light, but depending on
the candies burning in the Office. / was
rising from my seat to send the telegram
when the door opened and four of the
worst characters in the town, led by John
speak, two threw me back in my chair,
one held revolver to my head, and John
Martin spoke
Mr.. Hill was here TO tell you to stop
the up-train. You will not send that
message. Listen. That rock is there to
stop that train-pu: there for that pur-
pose. There is $50,00O in gold on that
train. Do you understand ?"
You would risk all the lives in the
train to rob it ~ ] cried, horror-struck
Exactly !" was the cool reply. cone
fifth is yours if you keep back the mes
sage. The money has been watched all
the way along"
saw the whole diabolical scheme at
once. II the train came it would be
thrown Off the embankment and easily
by the villains who would lie
in wait there.
Come" Martin said, "will you join
US ?"
"Never ~ l cried, Indignantly.
1--WE must force you then. Tie him
fast -
| trcmbled for Alice. If only my life
we're at stake could have borne it better.
But even if we were both murdered |
coud not take the blood Of the passen-
gers in the train upon ny head, Not
sound came from the little room as l was
tied hand and foot to my chair, bound 50