Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1889-01-04
cuEpHERDSTOWN W. VA. FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 1889

Joe, instead of at the bottom OF the
river, you and the whole trainr
asked.
He looked at me with queer look
moment, and then he stopped over,
and took up from the floor a red Ian
tern. / knew the moment | saw it, as
the one l had carried that night, and
l remembered dropping it as began
TO fall
Its that that saved usr said he.
Il was puzzled both at his manner
and at what he said, but | was more
puzzled-and startled, too-when he
went on to explain:
I'VE were coming down the road a
little late. full drive, at fortyiive
miles an hour, said he, and | had
just passed the station, and | had
whistled for the crossing, when !
caught sight ahead Of us and not a
great way off either. Of a danger sig
nal. the red light. Ii was right in
the middle of the track, and evidently
approaching, moving up and down
quickly, as though the man who car
ried it was running with all his might.
"'Of course, | reversed and whistled
down the brakes in all instant; and il
was not half minute, maybe before
We came 10 standstill, with the light
now almost upon US. And almost be-
fore we were fully stopped, jumped
down and ran TO meet it, and learn
what was the matter.
1t was some rods ahead yet, and
| could see it swinging from side 10
side, as though the person bringing it
/ had now slackened his pace To a
walk.
A second later It seemed station
arv, and seemed to be waiting for lie
to come up. As came close upon it,
you may imagine my astonishment to
/ find it set down in the middle of the
track, and not ii soul 10 be seen any
where around.
IL spoke, and then called aloud
and then shouted, but got no re
! sponse. And before this, had not
heard any sound or football. And
when, a moment later, the conductor
and some of the trainmen came uT
with lights. we searched out and could
not find any traces of the person who
seemed to have left it there.
Then we went down on the road
and there we found the bridge gone
As we approached, your dog com
menced howling, and we found hin
on the edge of the embanklnent, anc
! Inferred that you had fallen down the
embankment. We searched at once
and found you almost dead, though
ain very glad TO say not quite that.
That was the way Joe told ne the
story. And when he had finished,
lay there thinking it over for some
time. At last | said:
Joe, how could it have got there
the lanterny
81 can't tell, said he. All know
about it is, that il was there, and il
stayed the train. But I'm sure II
wasn't done by any human hand!
II thought it over some month:
longer. / did not believe in ghosts
or spirits, or any thing Of the sort
Somebody or something living must
have taken the lantern from the spot
where | dropped it as fell down the
/ embankment, and carried it up the
track to the place where Joe Narnish
first found it. All at once was sure
| had solved the enigma.
joe said |, i have it,
How is that?' he asked.
There were three Of us that went
down and found that the bridge was
gone, said |.
Three? repeated he, more mysti
fed than ever.
Yes said /, myself, the lantern
and the dog. Now could not have
taken the lantern up the track. And
it couldn't have taken itself up there
| Therefore, it must have been the
third one OF us-don't you see?
Joe stood moment puzzling over
it. Then his face broke into broad
smile. and he nodded his head:
Yes, he said. at length. Yes,
see
The old fagman ended his story,
and looked up at Harry aud Inc as we
stood there not quite eomprehending
even now just how it happened.
What, don't you see, eitherg'
asked he, and he laughed heartily TO
himself for moment. Then he put
his fingers to his lips. aud gave II shrilI
whistle
The next instant large black dog
came bounding down the road, and
came to the old fagman's side. His
master laid his hand affectionately on
the black, curly head, and looked up
at Harry and me once again.
iii make you acquainted with Sig.
said he. signal is his full name. I've
called him by it ever since that night.
1t was Sig that carried the red light
up the track
How TO be Graceful.
\ school girl misses great deal OF
valuable eduration who hurries away
+ 10 school. morning and afternoon,
I ,ri+hout having used her muscles In