Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-10-05
OVER THE WIRES.

OVER THE WIRES.
First. must tell you who I am, and
how l came to be in the Bavsville bank in
the "wee sma' hours" one dreary Deem
Der night, some three years ago.
My name was then Olive Hudson, and
I was seventeen years old that same De.
cember night, and so small that Mrs.
Knights Dolly, who was not twelve years
old. was half head taller than myself.
We were rich folks once, but father died
and left US very poor. Mother struggled
| along in weary hand-to-hand fight with
poverty until was sixteen, and then died.
She had rented two rooms of Mrs knight,
widow, also, with two stalwart sons, an
aged father. and two daughters. After
mother died I was adopted by the Knights,
and although was earning support as
music teacher in the Baysville academy.
1 was like one of the family when I was
in my good landlady's house.
They were all in good positions, but by
no means an aristocratic family. John,
the eldest son, was in New York in
wholesale sugar house; Tom was the
night-watchman at the BaysvilIe bank
building ; and grandpa-we all call him
grandpa-was telegraph operator of the
town, while Mary was milliner and Dol
ly stayed at the Office sending and receiv-
ing messages.
The Baysville bank was large granite
structure, containing the postofice and
bank on the first floor, and the telegraph
Office and a number Of private law offices
on the third floor. In the basement were
postofice rooms for sorting the mail. and
also the large bank vault.
knew the building we'll. for was fond
of teiegraphing, and spent half my leisure.
time perched up beside grandpa while he
slept peacefully or read the newspapers.
And that was the beginning of roy
amusement at Dryden, the next station.
The operator at Dryden was wit, and
flashed nonsense to our Office, but if were
there sent back jest for jest. and some
times an hour slipped by like minute as
we talked over the wires on every topic
under the sun. He called himself Lion"
and l, for nonsense, signed myself ''Ee-
phant," laughing as did so at the re-
Election of my tiny figure in the Office mir
rOr.
Beyond Dryden, and only Fl re miles from
Baysville, was C.. large commercial
town, the nearest railway station, and
where an Office was always open for the
accommodation of travellers.
AS have said, Tom Knight was the
night Waterman of Baysvllle bank build
ing. and lonely time be had of it. The
last mail came by stage at O'Clock in the
afternoon, aud the postofice was vacated
at six. The bank closed at three, and BIZ
six O'Clock every Office was deserted for
the night.
at seven Tom was on duty, and grand
pa, who was resting at night, was. in the
habit of taking down some coffee and lun-
cheon, as the building was only stone s
throw from the house.
On the December night have already
mentioned, it had stormed heavily all day,
and l had taken new class at the acade-
my, coming home later in the day than
usual. and excited over my increase of
salary.
Everybody else had gone to bed, and 1
was lingering over the kitchen fire with
Mrs. Knight, dreading the plunge into my
cod room, where 1 had allowed the fire to
60 out.
The clock struck twelve, and Mrs.
knight, lifting her face from over the fire,
said:
''Do call grandpa. Olive; he's asleep on
the sofa in the sitting room. I'll have
Toms basket ready by the time grandpa
has his hat and coat. hate to calf him,
for be was complaining of rheumatism all
day, and the ground is very wet although
the storm is over"
LET him sleep" l said. "Ill run over
with the basket. It is but step.''
''But it is so dark. are you not afraid ~
mot bit, I'll slip on my waterproof
and rubbers. and draw the hood of my
cloak over my head"
"Well. if you will. though am afraid
Tom will scold at my letting you go.'
'I'll put down the basket and run and
he will never know who left it."
go into the rear basement door, he
leaves that open for grandpa"
81 know"
grasped the handle of the basket, and
hurried across the space between the build
ing and the house, and stole softly in at
the basement door, in pursuance of my
plan to drop the basket and run.
In my rubber shoes my steps were noise
less, and had scarcely passed the thres-
hold when 1 stood rooted to the floor in
terrible amazement.
somebody was talking.
crept forward and listened. There was
man in the vault, and light shone under
the door.
While I listened somebody said s'There
is COMPOUNDED draft here, did you shut
the door Smith ?''
'Yes, but the wind might have blown it
OPEN"
had just time to dart under the STAIR |
case and crouch down. when the door of
the vault opened and man came out.
He crossed the entry, drew two heavy.