The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-02-24
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

| memory with vivid distinctness while
life and reason are left me, was in Octo-
ber long time ago. I was at that time
a telegraph operator stationed in little
| Canadian town upon the Grand Trunk
| line Of railroad.
| Mine was By no means model place
of residence. There were beer gardens,
drinking saloons, gambling houses, out
of all proportions to the more respecta-
bic 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.
Sill, there was school, and e timid,
| biue-eyed woman had come to teach
there.
How long an unprotected woman might
have lived there, I 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 cut
my wife. This was in July, and we had
occupied a pretty cottage nearly a quar-
ter of mile from the telegraph office
since our marriage.
Being the only man employed in the
teiegraphic business in the town, was
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 a small room next to the
Office, with a..window, but only one door,
communicating with the larger room.
Here Alice had fitted upa 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 wooden
building that stood alone.
With this necessary Introduction I
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, and furried, saying
"Stirling have you been over to the
embankment on the road to-day2"
The embankment was not & quarter of
mile from the Office, on the east side.
'No I have not"
''It was special providence took me
there, then. One of the great rasses
of rock has rolled down directly across
the track 1t will be as dark as VOLTS
mouth tonight, and if the midnight up
train comes without warning there will
be horrible smash-up."
"It must stop at Postville, then," I
replied. 81 will send message"
Eyes. That is what 1 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 staircase, when
Alice came up with my supper. 1t was
hot and was cold, so I drew up table,
and opening can and basket, sat down
to enjoy it. Time enough for business
| thought, afterward. As L ate we chat
ted.
"Any messages to-day p my wife ask
ed.
'One for John Martin.
"John Martin p Alice cried ''the
greatest rufian in the neighborhood.
What was the message ?'A
Midnight train 70
"Was that all !''
"That was all. Mr.. Hill had just been
in here to tell me there is a huge rock
across the track at the embankment, so
1 shall stop the midnight train at Post
vile. The passengers must wait for a
few hours there, and comon in he morn
ing after the track is cleared.
''Have you sent the message, Robertl"
s.Not yet. There is plenty of time.
That train does not reach Postville till
half past eleven, and it is not yet eight.
Yes-it is just striking"
''Better send it, Robert. If there
should be an accident, you would never
forgive yourself. Send it, while I put
some clean towels in the wash-room, and
then viii come and sit with you TIL
you can come home"
She went into the dressing room -
! she spoke, taking no Light, but Depend