The bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-1877, 1877-07-12

pretty cottage naarly u quarter Of a
mile from The telegraph Office since our
marriage.
Being the only man employed at the
telegraph business In town. l was Oh
liged to remain constantly at the Office,
and part of the evening, and Alice her
SELF brought me my dinner aud supper.
There was small room next my Office,
with window, but only one door com
municated with larger room. Here
Alice had fitted up y dressing table, and
mirror, washsiand, and some pepper, salt
and pickles for my repas,s. The two
rooms were on the second floor of
building that stood alone.
With this necessary introduction /
come 10 the story of that October night
and the part my blue-eyed Alice, only
eighteen and afraid Of her own shadow,
played in it. l was in my Office at about
$50 O'Clock, when one of the railway
officials came in, all flurried, saying:
"Stirling, have you been over to the
embankment on the road to-day?"
The cmbankment was not a quarter of
q mile from the Office, on the East side.
mo; have not"
ut was special providence took me
there then. One of the great masses Of
rock had rolled down directly across
the track--It will be dark as VOLTS
mouth to. night, and if the midnight up
train comes without warning, there will
be horrible smash up"
ut must stop at Postville, then," / re-
piled. VI will send a message"
"Yes. That is what stopped in for.
The down track is clear SO you need not
stop the train."
"All right, sir"
was standing at the door, seeing my
caller down the rickety staircase, when
Alice came up with my supper. it was
hot, and | cold, SO Idrew table, and
opening can and basket, sat down to en-
joy it. Time enough for business l
thought afterwards.--As ate we chat.
ted.
ANY message to-day?" my wife asked.
Zone from John Martin"
John Martin 2" Alice cried; ''the
greatest ruffian in the neigAborhood.
What was the train y
Midnight train"
"Was that all2"
"That was all. Mr.. Hill has just been
here TO tell me there was a huge rock
across the track at the embankment, 80
shall stop the midnight train at Postville.
The passengers must wait a few hours
there, and come on In the morning after
the track Is cleared"
Have you sent the message, Rob
ert?"
mot yet There is plenty of time.
This train does not reach Postville till
half past eleven, and it is not yet eight.
Yes it is just striking"
Better send it, Robert. II there
should be an accident you would never
forgive yourself. Send it while l put
some clean towels in the wash room,
and then l will come and sit with you
till you can come home"
She went to the dressing room as she
spoke. taking no light, but depending
on the caudles burning in the office. l
was rising from my seat to send the tele-
gram when the door oponed, and four
of the worst characters in the town, led
by John Martin, entered the room. Be.
fore could speak, two threw me back
in my chair, one held revolver to my
head and John Martin spoke:
mir. Hill was here to stop the up
train You will not send the message.
Listen.--The rock is there to stop the
irain--put there for that purpose. There
is $50. 1000 in gold ON the train. Do you
understand I"
"You would risk all the lives in the
train to rob it?" | cried, horror struck.
"Exac,ly!' was the cool reply. zone
fifth is yours If you keep the message.
The money has been watched all the
way along"
! saw the whole iiaholical scheme AT
once. If the train came it would be
thrown off the embankment while the
men could easily lie in wal: there.
"Come," Martin said, Twill you join
us?"
Never" cried, Indignantly.
trembled for Alice. If only my life
were at stake could have borne it bet
| Tar Rnt ovav ~ ua wore hnth murdered