Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-05-14
TERROR.

ibis nlRnt, winch Will UWell Ill lily
memory with vivid distinctness while
= life and reason are left to me, was in
October, 1870. I was at that time
telegraph operator, stationed in the
little town of Deering, upon the line of
the Pacific railroad, between the cities
ofD--and G.. Six miles farther
west was the more pretentious town Of
Paris, upon the direct road to D.
Deering was by no means a model
residence. There were lager beer gar
dens, drinking saloons and gambling
houses, out of all proportion to the more
respectable stOresan residences. Still,
there was school, and a timid little
blue-eyed woman had come from Ver-
mont to teach there.
HO W long an unprotected woman
might have lived in Deering can only
guess, for Alice Holt had been there but
three months when she consented to
walk into church with me one day, and
walk out my wife.
Being the only man employed in the
telegraphic business at Deering, was
obliged to remain constantly In the Of
flee during the day and part of the even
ing, and Alice herself brought me my
dinner and supper. There was small
room next the Office, with window,
but only one door, communicating with
a larger room. Here Alice had fitted
up dressing-table and mirror, a wash
stand and some shelves, where she kept
pepper, salt and pickles for my office
repasts.
With this necessary introduction
come to the story of that October night,
and the part my blue-eyed Alice, only
1S, and afraid of her Gown shadow
= playedinit.
was in the office at about half-past
seven O'clock when one of the city Of
ficials came in, all fiurried, saying:
"Stirling, have you been over to the
embankment on the road tO-day?"
The embankment was not quarter
of mile from the office, on the east
side.
s'No, I have not"
''It was special Providence took me
there, then. One of the great masses
of rocks has rolled down and directly
across the track. 1t will be as dark as
VOLTS mouth tonight, and if the mid.
night train comes from D-there will
be horrible smash up.'
"The midnight train must stop al
Paris, then," l replied. II will send 6
message"
eyes. That is what stopped in for
The other track is clear, so you need no,
stop the train to D.
II was standing at the door, seeing
my caller down the rickety staircase
when Alice came up with my supper
1t was hot and Twas cold, so Idrew up {
table, and opening can and basket, sal
down to enjoy it. Time enough for bu.
siness, I though, afterward. AS ate
we chatted.
"Any messages to-day?" my wife
asked.
"One from D-for John Martini
"John Martini" cried Alice; "tht
greatest ruffian in Deering. What wa
the mesage?"
"Midnight train?"
"Was that alp"
'"That was all. Mr.. Hill has just beer
in here to tell me there is huge rocl
across the track at the embankment,s so
shall stop the midnight train at Paris.
"Have you sent the message, Rob
ert?"
"Not yet. There is plenty of time
That train does not reach Paris till 11:3O
and it is not 8. Yes it is just striking
she spoke, taking no light, but depend
ing upon the candles burning in the Of
flee. [ was rising from my seat to senc
the telegram, when the door opened
and four of the worst characters ir
Deerng, led by John Martin, entered
the room. Before l could speak, two o
them threw me back in my chair, ont
held revolver to my head, and JOhr
Martin spoke:
''Mr. Hill was here to tell you to stol
! the D-train. You will not sent
that message"
II saw the whole diabolical scheme a
once. If the train came it would b.
offat the embankmenta and easily plum
dered by the villains, who would lie il
"Come,D Martin said, "will you joil
ASP,
"Never!" 1 cried, Indignantly.
"We must force you, then. Tie hin
fast"
The door of the wash-room was close'
and locked, Alice stood undiscovered
then the light was blown out, and th'
ruffiins left me, locking the door afte
them.
There was long silence. Outside
could hear the step of one of the mel
pacing up and down, watching. rub
bed my head against the wall benin,
me, and succeeded in getting the hand
kerchief off my mouth, to fall aroun'
my neck.
had scarcely accomplished this swhel
there was tap on the inner door.
Robert" Alice said.
''Yes, loveW
"Are you alone in the room?"
"Yesdear!n
~ am going to Paris. twill not tax
long to reach hOm e. saddle Selim, al,