The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1877-08-02

| ana come GOWN sthlrs, nc salu' pcsHn
to ask questions close no time, there's
good fellow; / want your assistance"
He lett the room.
jumped up at once, hurried to the
window and looked out. Day was ust
breaking through the misty sky, and all
! the world was raining.
| Ever and anon sharp snap denoted n
bough torn from its place and whirlcd to
to the soaking earth.
dressed quickly and joined McCaus.
! land in the little parlor. He was study
ing a private copy of the railroad time
tables, which as an official he always
carried.
evil you take the horse and ride down
to Ammering Junction with a message"
His collected manner assured me.
Was this all ? A ride through the rain was
not much. "Of course, | will 60"
lie grasped my hand firmly. care
you nervous?" he said, as he held it in
his own steady grasp.
"Nonsense,' ! replied, laughing; "Pll
be ready in five minutes if it's important.
Is the horse here ?"
/ ran up for my waterproof When !
came down the horse was at the door, and
McCausland inspecting him. mounted.
"Now," ! said "for this great mes.
sage, if you please" McCausands tone
had something very solemn in it, as he
replied; ,,
''Tell the station-master at Ammering
Junction, and any people you see, that
the south reservoir will not last three
hours. 1t will bust down the valley, and
will destroy the Apps viaduct, and carry
away the bridges on the llolmesdaIe
branch. Stop the traffic, and save the
passengers. God bless YOU and, bark
yc, ride for your lite. will fire the sig
nal cannon as warning. Good bye"
Ammering Junction was some miles
away. My route lay through an nm
known country, across mOorand inter
sected by flooded streams and swept by
the fierce wind and rain,
must do it, ] thought, as my horse
picked his cautious way amid the loose
stones down the steep by-road we had az.
cended the previous day. J should need
all my strength, though, to execute my
task, so | pressed on. A valuable slice
out of my time had been expended when
| reached the broad highway and urged
my horse to speed | had to turn off
again, knew, but | fancied | should
easily find the path. Besides, was there
not u sign-p0st?
reached the turning and pulled up to
read the direction | should take. !
nearly tainted with horror as read. The
fatal finger pointed up the cross-road ]
was pursuing--To Hlolmesdale and Sea-
ham. The opposite index pointed-to
Ruddall and Ammering. | could scarce
credit my senses. Surely | was right
We had come up the previous day, and
up the hill to the reservoirs. ! had merely
to reverse the route had Travelled. This
was terrible mistake. 1t was now past &
o'clock One of the three precious hours
had elapsed, and was further from Am
mering than when | started. | Wa
seized with despair; whatever could ! dc
now? Two hours remained, and ] had
three uphill miles to ride, and then
about seven more across the moor before
| could reach the Junction, and before
that the trains might have started, and
th1en-!
| burst out into cold perspiration at
the thought, and then desperate, and
only half conscious, rode madIy back
to the Ammering road, and up the hill
again.
The SUBMITS of the neighboring hills
were shrouded in veil of mist, but far
in advance, on the level, | could trace
the railroad line. From the elevation
at which stood | could trace the chan
mel of the Apps river down the valley
and could guess the spot at which
the food would strike the railroad, and
the branch line over the spur OF the hill
could Just distinguish the Junction in
the middle distance. A dark smoke
appeared to be rising from it an engine
perhaps waiting to start with a train,
and | was lingering on the hill. All
this, and more, could perceive as
rested on the summit. Somewhat refresh
ed, rode manfuIly forward into the
storm.
How my horse kept his feet | do not
to this hour understand.
| was quite alone, not human being
insight, but suddenly the whistle ola To-
connective was carried to my ears. An
engine moved out OF the station. An
other whistle shortly aftelward. That
train was safe. ! watched it glide away
over the viaduct. Five minutes later |
rode into the station, and called for the
.tation>master. AsI dismountcd the
clock struck eight. The time was up
and no signal from McCausland. Tele-
graphing would now be easy. A porter
came out in response to my summons.
"Tm sorry yc lost the express"
he began.
81 don't want the train, replied, 81
must telegraph at once through. Where
is the station-master ;"
Hell be here in a minute. But yC
can II telegraph. The wires are blown
down. we had to send pilot with the
express to clear the line up to Hand.
leigh"
"Not telegraph! tell you, man, Unjust
stop the traffic. The South HOlmesdalt
reservoir will burst this very hour"
"Can that be true ?" inquired cool
gentlemanly man at my elbow. 1t wa
the staion-master himself.
"True !" | echoed. 1t is only toe
true. | have ridden to tell you. We
must stop the trains"
The excursion leaves Handleigh al
sos" unused the station-lnaster. " There
may be time; come with me-" He
crossed the line and entered shed oppo
site. followed. Just then a loud boom
ing sound rent the air. The sound camt
back from the hills like thunder.
at is the signal, | exclaimed. Thu
water is out. Heaven help us now y
The station.masterc called out. A clean
err appeared. as that engine ready?'
ayes, sir, waiting for the excursion.
"Run and open the points. Now, sir
get up.
| I ohaveI mechanically and bctnre