Montgomery County sentinel., 1880-12-10
3 gleasaut Sturp,
A THRILLING STORY.

A few years ago as was riding on an out.
of-the way railroad in one of the old second
hand cars of some more prosperous road, !
was very much annoyed by the incessant
rattliag OF some of the car windows. 'Tis
said that misery loves company, and at
last shouted my feelings on the subject to
the passenger beside me--a mddle-aged
misunderstanding man-who shouted back
"Yes, it is pretty noisy, but it don't mean
anything, and it amt dangerous"
"Whatw shouted, thinking he had not
caught my meaning.
VI say, IT is perfectly meaningless, and
don't mean any mischief" he shouted, smil-
ing.
"What the mischief do you mean ?" |
shouted.
"You proabbly never Heard a window
talk nationally, not to say intelligently ?" he
shouted.
Not that | can remember" said |, a
little ironically. "Did your
81 have" said he, "and as soon as we stop
| will not only make window talk, but
possibly get an answer from some other
window"
began to think that had let the man
cod me long enough and became very
much interested In the scenery along the
road.
"CentreyilleP "Twenty minutes for din.
ner" shouted the brakesman, opening the
door after screwing up the old fashioned
brake.
When we had stopped, my neighbor touch
ed me on the shoulder and said, "Now Just
let me sit by that window, and | will show
you something amusing, and afterwards tell
you story-for thereby hangs the tale"
| changed seats with him, and he, taking
hold of the window, began to rattle it at a
lively rate, pausing every few seconds to lis
ten. Pretty soon was surprised to hear a
window at the other end of the car behind
us rattle in the same manner
"Now," said the stranger, task me ques-
tion about the back of some special person
sitting behind US without either of us look
ing behind"
"Well," said /, describe 10 me the ap-
pearance Of the back of the head of, say the
outside passenger in the third seat behind
u.s."
He ratified the window and then listened
to the answering window. Then he said
"rhere is no person sitting just there
Try again"
! looked and sure enough he was right
SO made it the fifth seat.
"Short black hair, parted behind, one side
grey, high shirt collar and coat collar turned
up. Railroad ticket in the back of his hat"
said my companion as he listened at the
window.
Stepping back found that the descrip-
ton was correct, one side Of the mans hair
had been turned white, probably from dis
ease.
"How did you do it?,' said he. 81 at first
sounded the single word Fire over and
over till il caught the trained ear Of an opera
tor in the other end of the car--about one
fourth of the men and women understand
telegraphy now-a-days-and he telegraphed
what wanted 10 know. So you see that a
window may rattle intelliglbly."
"Yes," said |, "and now about the tale
which hangs thereby"
ale was about TO begin IL when the train
started, and the unintelligble rattlng Of the
windows stopped him, 50 he deferred ii till
we arrived at the junction where we were
10 await a few hours for another train Then
we three (the other operator had joined us)
seated ourselves comfortably, and the stran-
ger began.
"Ien years ago was a telegraph opera
tor at a small town in New Jersey, but my
health falling, gave up my situation, and,
taking an agency, travelled westward until
| reached San Francisco While there /
took fancy TO visit mining region, 30 80
lecting suitable goods 10 sell 10 miners, |
went and satisfied my curiosity; made a
little money and was returning in the stage
coach, when the incident am about 10 re-
late occurred, or at least began 10 occur.
"There were beside myself three inside
passengers, and old gentleman Of sixty and
two roughly dressed men, apparently min.
err. These two men sat at opposite ends Of
the coach, not appearing 10 know each
other, while the old gentleman and myself
sat close together. ! noticed that the old
gentleman had tin or iron box between
his legs which he seemed 10 be anxious 10
keep out Of sight.
After short conversation with him on
all subjects I allowed myself 20 drift gently
into doze; and while IN that condition