The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-02-15

VhNO hhOAo u w 90 obaA SASA W viz SAAhS
Of the bell. This time it was louder
and more urgent, and, it seemed to me.
with a peculiar, unearthly sound, such
as had never heard before. 1t seemed
as if there mingled with the metallic
ring the tone of human voice-the
voice Of one knew. The needles, l
now observed, began to make signs
which understood; and slowly, as If
some novice were working the instru-
ment, the letters, sc ON Q" were sig
nailed. No sooner had / read off the
final ''e' than, to my amazement, and
terror, l saw distinctly the handle of
my instrument, although l was not
touching it at the time, as if grasped
by some invisible hand, move rapidly
and make the signal, understood"
which the receiver of a message trans
mits at the end of every word.
A cold thrill ran through me. 1 felt
as if every drop of blood were leaving
my heart. And now l could perceive
that another word was being slowly
spelt out. But so terrified was l that
failed to catch the signs. Again my
handle moved, and this time made the
signal "Not Understood" With an
overwhelming feeling of awe, l
watched the dials intently while the let
ters were again signaled, and this time
read III m e." There was a cessa-
tion of all motion for a second or two.
stood petriiied with fear and amaze
ment, half believing was in a dream,
for reason refused to accept the evi
denCe CT sense. Could that be mes
sage for me? If So what hand had
sent it? The bell again sounded with a
clangor still more loud and unearthly,
and after few uncertain movements,
the magnets repeated the words "Come
home-come home !"-the handles
moving as before. 1 could remain at
my post no longer. Come what might,
felt had no alternative but to obey.
ran to the house where the clerk
lived, and on rousing the inmates and
gaining admission told him he must
take my place Immediately, as l had
been suddenly called away. Ina min
ute or two l was dashing along the
road on horseback in the direction of
home. shall never forget that ride
Although / urged my horse with whip
and voice until he flew rather than gal
loped, the pace was far too slow for my
excited mind, and at last, breathing
and painting, we clattered up the long
street of the village near which l lived.
Suddenly horse and rider appeared at
the other end of the street and hoarse
! voice uttered a cry-"Fire" At the
same instant the church bell was rung
violently, and at once the whole village
started into life.
Great Heaven! my worst fears were
realized. 1t was my own home.
choked down the agony, and arrived
at the scene of the fire. The house
was large, old one, and when ! reached
it smoke was issuing in thick murky
volumes from the windows of the Sec
ond flat, while fierce tongues of flames
were alread leaping along the roof A
crowd of men were hurrying confused
ly about with buckets and pals of
water. "My wife!' l exclaimed, as
rushed forward, where is she?w God
knows, sir" said one of the men.
Without uttering word entered the
house and ran along the lobby-the
woodwork on each side was one mass
of blazing and cracking flame. Be
fore l had taken three steps fell back
blinded, half-suffocated with the smoke
Two men caught me in their arms, and
tried to restrain me by force. "Let 60
you cowards!" l cried as soon as I
could speak; and with the strength of
madness, dashed them aside. Irushed
up the stairs, and this time reached the
first landing in safety. The room
which we used as our bedchamber led
off small parlor on this fat. Crop
ing my way through the smoke,
found the door, but, to my horror, it
was locked! dashed myself against
it again and again, but it resisted all
my efforts.
Despair gave me strength; and lift
ing my foot. / struck it violently
against one of the lower panels of the
door. Another blow and it was driven
in.
Maggie! Maggiei" 1 shrieked
"where are you?" but no answer was
returned. Crossing the parlor gained
our bedroom door. To my joy, it was
open, and stretched on the floor found
the apparently lifeless form of my
wife. l bent over her, and on placing
my hand on her heart l found it still
beating. lifted her gently and carried
her in my arms to the window, which
broke open. OF what followed l an
only dimly conscious; have confused
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