The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-02-04
THE TELEGRAPHIC SIGNAL.

THE TGLEGRAPHICS SIGNAL.
John Mills, the hero of this sketch,
was railroad engineer, and had been
for long time in the company's en-
ploy. When the new engine "59'' was
completed and placed on the road, John
was given charge of it. and he cvinced
natural pride II his prcfermcnt. At
one Of the stations there was a young
girl, telegraph operator, between whom
, and the engineer there had sprung up q
mutual attachment, and whenever "59"
came along. Kate generally managed to
be at the door and exchange signals
with her lover One day the train was
detained at the station, and the locomo-
tive detached and sent up the road, 10
do somo additional work, and Kate went
along for ride. AS she listened to the
sharp, shrill notes of the whistle, it
occurred to her that she might teach
John to sound her name in the Morse
telegraphic characters, so that she could
distinguish his signal from that of the
preached. The plan worked to Il charm,
and far and near the whistle shriokcd
Kate, until one day, rs the operator
heard n conversation between two youno
men, and learned that they understood
the signal, and were laughingly wonder
ing who Kate could be. Their means
sof communication having been dis
covered they were obliged to discontinue
it In the meantime, Kate had, by
means of tho telegraph, made the ac-
quaintance Of young lady, an operator
IN distant city, but whom she had
never seen, and to her she made known
the fact that the secret had been dis
covered. Then her friend suggested q
plan as brilliant as it was ingenious. 1t
WaSjslmply to arrange a means of tclc-
graphic communication between the ap-
proachlng train and the station, so as to
rlng boil hidden away in the closet of
Kate's Office, engine "59" being the
only ono provided with the means of
completing the circuit which was done
ny laying the poker upon the tender
brake 80 as to touch the wire in passing.
nate found an opportunity to acquaint
John with the proposed plan, and in the
meantime had found an abandoned
wire which ran for Il long distance close
by the track, and which she proposed to
use for carrying out her purpose.
Thanksgiving day came soon after and
John fortunately having holiday, he
and Kate went bravcly to work, and be-
fore the day had ended the task was
completed, and proved n complete sue
cess. The 5ramatic finale of their love
episode IS >old in following .sketch:-
twas very singular how wabscnt-mindcd
day that tho great scientific enterprise
in IN cl Il
turbed Would the new limo work?
Would her little battery be strong
enough for such great circuitP Would
John be able TO close itP The people
began to assemble for tho train. The
clock pointed to the hour for its arrival.
Suddenly, with startling distinctness,
the bell rang clear and loud in the echo
ing room. With n cry of delight she
pnt on her dainty hat and ran in haste
ont upon the platform. The whistle
broke loud and clear on the cool, crisp
air, and "59" appeared round the curve
In the woods. The splendid monster
slid swiftly up to her feet and paused
Perfect, John! Perfect! 1t works to
o charm"
With spring she reached the cab and
sat down on the firemans seat.
BLESSED if could tell what he was
going to do," said tho fireman. "He
told me about it. Awful bright idea!
You see, he laid the poker on the tender
brake there, and it hit tho treo slam,
and saw the wires touch. It was Just
prime"
But the happy moments sped, and
"59" groaned and slowly departed.
while Kate stood on the platform, her
race wreathed in smiles and white
steam. "''" "''''o
90 Ine lovers met each day, and none
hhe" now she was made aware Of bis
approach with such absolute certainty
Science applied to love, or rather ioyc
ApPleo 70 science, can move the world
Two whole weeks passed. and tbon
there suddenly arrived at the 'stotiny, Tn
late one evening, special, with thn
directors car attached. Tho bonnroLio Iio
directors wero hungry--they ALWAYS are
and would pause on their journey and
take cup Of tea and bit Of supner'
The honorables and their wives and
J children filed the station, and the place
put on quite a gala aspect. As for Kate,
che demurely sat in her den, book In
hand, and over its unread pages adj
mired the gay party in the brightly
lighted waiting-room
Suddenly with furious rattle, her cleo
trio bell sprang into life. Every spark
'of color left her face, and her book fell
with dull slam TO tho floor. What
was it2 What did It meanp Who rang
itP With afrighted face she burst from
her offce and brushed through tho as.