The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-11-13
TOMS pANoER SIGNAL.


astor WAS Av0i0oos -
A queer little house. perched on q
mountain ledge like an eagles nest.
that looked as If it would certainly
blow away the first time strong wind
came. That was where Tom lived
with his father. A lonely place tolive.
. couple of miles from the nearest
neighbor's; but Tom nsver thought
any thing about that un:il he fell and
broke his leg in sone yof his cunning
expeditions. After that IL was I very
hard trial to the boy to be shut up
alone all day. Every morning. . few
hours after his father had gone away
for the day, kind nei&hbor came over
and cared for his wants. putting every
thing that he might need just where
he could get it without getting up, but
after that Tom was alone till after
niqht-fall.
Tom had very little to help him while
away the hours that seemed SO inter-
mikably long. Now and then his faith
er, who was the engineer of train,
brought him some papers. which the
good-natured conductor had gathered
up for the sick boy from the seats
where the passengers had left them when
they had read them. Then Tom was
learning telegraphy, md he could click,
click away on his little instrument, and
practice himself in sending SUPPOSE
tious messages over an Imaginary
wire. In the evening when his father
came home, they talked together on
the little instrument for the sake Of
practice. and Tom felt sure that he
would be ready to apply for the position
of telegraph operator at the little sta
ton just below. as soon as he should be
well. 3
s.rm afraid we're going to have
rough weather to-day, my boy said
TOMS father one morning, as he stood
in the door and watched the threaten
ing clouds while the bacon was cheerily
sizzling in the ffying-pan on the stove.
'.You won't be afraid here all by
yourself. will your
s.No, indeed; won't be afraid, !"
answered Tom, ''but ] do wish my leg
would hurry up and get well. You
don't know how lonely It is here all
day BY myself father"
II know it must be, Tom, but try
NOT to be impatient. You'll be around
soon now. II you don't put yourself
back BY using your leg too soon. -
Tom looked otter bis father with q
sigh. as after breakfast be strobe away,
his heavy f0otsteps making the dry
twigs and leaves crackle - be walked
along. - ~ IL 49, II ~ - =
Another long. lonely day was before
HIM, and he Was already heartily tired
of his imprisonment. AlIday long the
clouds grew darker and the wind
shrieked and moaned more dismally
as it swept through the tall pines. and
as the windows shook and ratified now
and then as ~ giant hand had siezed
them. Tom grew = little spprshensive
in spite a his promise not to be afraid.
From the cottage window he could
look down On & long stretch Of the rail-
road that came around Z curve and
swept along tho aide Of the mountain,
crossed bridge over the rocky gorge,
and then vanished into the trees again
around another curve. 9
Just after dark his father train a.
ways came In sight and Tom loved to
wafch die bright. headIight ss Il sped
along He had . little set Of signals
which his father understood, and when
the train reached certain place he a.
ways waved bis lamp hid IL for An in
slant ana waved It again, - - signal
that all was we'll Then tho loc0motjve
would utter a.shrill, piercing whistle,
and that Was his f2ther'o answer.
Toward the close Of the afternoou
the wind almost amounted to hurri-
cane. end the rain poured down q