The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1888-02-11
A Romance Of the Rail.
GEETRUDE PRESCOTT THOMPSON.

Il was or the Pan Handle railroad
in January. 1863, AID the train WAS run
ain- from Cincinnati to Chicago. l got
on board ut Newcastle, Ind. Entering
a car in the middle Of the train seated
myself third way down On the
right and was soon busy studying the
passengers. Presently my mind was
attracted by little Girl, apparently
about ci Int years Of age, who sat in the
seat in front o! re. Beside her sat a
young lady, seemingly 20 years of age,
rosy cheeks, laughing eyes and L sweet
and Gentle voice THESE points | noted
in her animated conversation with the
little o"c, who was evidently her sister.
Carrie, the little g!rl, lad o@c of
those toy Geographic "tic5ers," and
she was having high time
with it, regardless Of the ominous
looks and frowns of an old
maid, who sat few seats front, on the
other side. As she continued her sport,
alternately ticking her machiac, then
suddenly darling to an unoccupied seat
and ingratiatiug herself into the good
graccs of the being who might be
| occupying the other end, she became
quite well acquainted, during the long
trip, with the whole car, the aforesaid
old maid excepted.
During the course of her mcandcrinGs
! she splcd vacant seat in the rear OF the
/ one she occupied and flew to it, ticker
in hand The oth,r occupant of the
seat was young man who had been
:ntcrcstclly watching the froiics OF tho
/ Happy daring. aad he Immediately
,cgan a conversation with her which
psultcd in hi, obtaining possession OF
he ticker.
Placing the ticker on the sill, thai it
might more closely resemble true
telegraph machine, he began to form
he letters Of the alphabet. As tn,
.ound fell on my ears. noticed with
Jurprisc that the attention of the young
ady in front Of him was also cen
>,cd in the sounds produced by the
operator.
l listened, chow could 1 hell
it; everybody heard it, and by anC
by recognized words, carefully spelled
Soon he framed a sentence. 1t was
Going homc" What could he near
bv that? He looked toward the young
lady; she nodded her head in aliirma-
ton of the tclcgraphci query. Could
it he he was talking with her! Soon
came again from the machine, carclcssll
spelt this time, apparently to misleaC
those who were able to uadcritanl, 81
your father the same rs cver!' anothc,
nod. II must be- H. was talking f
her What could do. 1t was wron,
to p.aT the cavcsdropocr, but i. pcopl.
will talk ont loud in your prcseacc, az
you TO blame for hcaringl
1t was soon apparent that the youn,
man, the young laiy and myself wer
the only ones. in thu cars who IN
derstood the mystic signs c
the electric wire and, swallowing m
scruplcs,I lay back and prepared 10 lister
The conversation consisted of just sue
talk as might pass between acqualnt
anccs who had not met "a. about 81
months, although it was confined mostl
to him, as her share consisted of guarC!
ed mods or shakes of the head. ii
Sskcd for her health; her family's, an
inally touched on a matter which til
scribe could not well fathom, but, frol
the color OF the lady's face and her in
patient mods, judged it was unpleasant
or, at least, disagreeable. Then /
wound up by telcgraphing: 81 must g
sut here; this is my home"
'Log'nsp't"' the brakeman shouted
and the young man disappeared.
As soon as the train was under va
again, Carrie began again her wande
ings, and this time seated herself b