Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-29
ALONE In THE HOUSE.

ALONE In THE HOUSE.
Jennie bartlett's father aud mother had
been suddenly called away for the night
to Pdrnassus Centre, where Mrs Bartlett's
sister had been taken very Ill, and Jennie
was left to keep tie tolI-gate alone. It
Was not difficult task, for scarcely any
one Travelled over the Darlington road af-
ter nine O'Clock, and those who did pass
ed through the open gate without paying
toll.
But even if it had been harder, Jennie
would have been equal to- it. She had
lived at the toll-gate ever since she was
baby, and knew perfectly we'll what to
charge, and how to make the proper
change. Indeed she often kept the gate
for her father when he Was at home, and
people passing through would be apt to
wonder how so bright and pretty girl
could grow up in so lonesome place.
Jennie, however, did not mind the lone
someness. Her dearest wish was to 20 off
to boarding school; but SO long as she
was at home it matGered little to her that
Darlington was three miles off on the one
hand, and Leicester ten on the other, and
that there was scarcely house between,
She even liked the solitude, and vas al
moat sorry when the telephone connecting
lriugtun with Leicester made con-
neetion by the way with the toll-gate.-
Before, they seemed to be out of the world
aud the people coming through the aate
we're ike ylsitoFs fgora another sphere;
nov, the frequent ringing Of the casll-bsslI
reminded her. that civilization was not 20
far distant, after all.
On this particular night there Was not
likely to be even the usual number of pass
ers-by. It was dark and threatening
Looking out of the door about nine o'elock
Jennie could hardly see more than hum
dred feet either up OF down the road. 1t
would ha bad night, she thought, for the
gate to get accidentally shut; anybody
coming along mightrun into it without
warning. for that matter people might run
into the post Oh either side. She hung q
lantern on one post to prevent this acct
dent and going in the house, locked the
door and went to bed. The fact that she
was alone in tile house. did not disturb her
in the least, and in minute che was fast
aslspn.
Some tine in the night she was sudden
ly awakened by the ringing of the telephone
bell She listened to hear it ring three
times, which was the toll-gate signal /; If
oftener, to call up some Of the other peO-
pie on the same wire, Two Of tho eonneo-
tions she knew were IN Leicester, the third
and fourth were in the Darlington Bank,
the fifth in the tannery. and the sixth in
the central Office IN Darlington. IL the
bewilderment Jennie gould not at first de.
termine how many times it did ring but
at last she decided it was six-for the Bar
ipgton central office. That did not mean
the toll-gate, and Jennie was about to turn
over for another nap when sudden thought
aroused her. 1t Was certainly after Md
hight, and the central Office did not ket r
open later than twelve O'Clock, the bank
too, was shut up. and SO was the tannery
on the whole line she was probably the
only person who could hear the bell. What
if 1T should be something important I In-
deed. it woald hardly ring at that time OF
night unless it were important. Quickly
jumping out Of bed, she ran to the iustru;
ment, put the RECEIVER to Der ear, and call
ed through the tFansmitter, Hello
hellol"
A voice came back to her so distinct
that it seemed almost in the same room,
saying, Hello is that the central office p
The tone was quick aud sharp, and Jennie
felt sure that something must b aye hap
pened,
mo. sir,'' she called, Sits the toll gate
I'm Jennie Bartlett"
"Tell your father to aoae here right
away, y the voice said. ITS very impor
SAINT"
! Jennie felt sinking at her beart.-
Fathers away" she said, land l m here
! alone"
She heard the voice exclaim something
i'll an impatient tone. and then the aounf
of twoor three other people talking as
though there was some doubt as to what
could'be done.
"Can do anythinel" she inquired, al
most hoping that she could not
| Another conversation followed, which
Jennie overheard; the speakers were NJ
doubt nearer the telephone.
"Why do you want to let them get init
Darlington at all ?" one voice asked
why not stop them at the toll-gate ?"
! ITO be sure ~ said another. "If the.
get past the gate, like as not they will turf
down the Riverton road, and throw Alle'
off the track. They Can't turn off befor
they go to the gate we are sure Of then
as far as that"
TELL the girl" and Jennie caught onl
q confusion of sounds.
Presently she heard another Hello !?
Hello ?" she responded.
1.-THE Leicester Bank has been robbed,
the voice went on hurriedy, ''by two me-
with wagon and white horse. They hav
driven towards Darlington, with Mr.. Al
len and .wo constables in pursuit, half a
hour behind. You must
! lara tho voice stOnnad "a all ddanIv an