The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-05-17

The Office clock licked with a steady
swing the long pendulum oscillated be-
tween the ends of the arc with a monoto-
nous regularity that made one sleepy.
The air was damp and chilly outside, only
to make the CRATE a dispenser of warmth
and comfort. The constant clicking at
my desk relieved the lonesomeness, as
l sat with my thumb and two fingers on
the key and my eyes on the clock dial
sending the trains in security along the
various lines of the road.
The comfort and happiness of men,
women and children were intrusted to
my vigilant care, The responsibility Of
the position can only be appreciated by
one who is, or has been, placed in SINH
lar position. l sat all alone with invisi-
BILE glances fixed on the network Of iron
bands, where trains were sweeping over
miles of space with lightning speed,
while the far reaching throb OF electric
power came to me from distant stations
to locate every movement that guided
my unering Judgment.
Every delayed train became an object
of concern as it sidetracked for the regu-
lar or made up the time between long
runs, thus keeping my nerves up to the
tension which made life a constant round
of duty.
l looked drowsily at the clock, my
eyes were heavy with sleep. OH for
something to rouse me. l walked the
narrow space in front of the,rRiling.
opened the door; the cool air blew on my
face to bring new life to the sluggish
blood that was stealing all my senses.
l involuntarily shivered, as the cool
breath of night swept through me to
make me draw nearer to the fire.
peered into the glowing bank Of
Goals only to relapse into deeper uncon-
sciousness, when a rap at the door
startled me. Glad to escape from the
incubus that made me dull, | welcomed
the intruder with bluff:
"Come in"
A rough looking figure stood by my
side. The broad brimmed slouch hat half
concealed the fierce look that made me
feel uncomfortable as his wild looking
eyes stared steadily into mine. Was the
man a lunatic just escaped from the
asylum2 Insanity was evidently stamped
upon the neglected face.
"Are you the OPERATOR
eyes; what do you WANT"
"Here is note for you. You dare not
refuse the request contained in the letter.
You recognize the handwriting2'
hurriedly glanced along the lines to
catch the import. My heart stood still.
"Gol Twill beat the appointed place.
81 was instructed to see that you did
come. will show you the way"
l glanced at the face, upon which 9
frigid, determined look had settled with
a savageness that made me tremble. The
letter was before me. Without noticing
the remark, 1 read every line that burned
into my brain.
"Wait l will come"
/ arose from my seat, glanced sharply
at the clock, noted the time, which wa,
propitious, for | could spare an houI
without danger; drew on my overcoai
and followed the strange man, who
seemed entirely oblivious to surround
ings as he strobe forward with an energy
that made walking anything but pleas
ure.
halted and dropped behind a corner
in moment his olammy, bony finger
were around my throat was power
less to resist. A choking sensation mad,
me weak and timid With a movemen
that he seemed to understand the stronl
grip on my neck was relaxed. Again WI
strobe forward to turn into byways whicl
were unknown to me.
l was betrayed; what was the terribl
danger that made my duty a culpabl
neglect Already the moments were fly
ing, a chilly sensation swept through ev
cry nerve as l thought of the helples
lives intrusted to my keeping; but on
ward he strobe. ! could feel the basilisl
charm of the bloodshot eyes that Tesenl
bled Goals of fire as they cast watchfy
glances behind. We halted at a remot
J house on the suburbs; with a heavy ra
he stood waiting for an entrance, Will
his inhuman expression was intensihe
by the sickly glare of a single tallow dir
whose dull rays struggled through tn
dingy panes
A shuffiing gait from within and a cat
tious turn of the key opened the door
reveal the outlines of bent figure tbs
- shaded the candle with one hand, Will
d a suspicious, cunning stare was fixe
4 upon the newcomers.
S Without remonstrance followed M
guide through the rickety passage th;
- ended at a low, wide portal, which VI
securely closed. Quietly the iimpin
figure drew from the faded cloak a bunC
of keys and with extreme deliberate
pushed open the door
u The subdued hum Of voices reached
e family as we passed along a marrow
81 dark way to stand at the further en-
until a food of light almost blinded ol
eyes. We entered, the door was close
The low ceiled room WAS filed wit
rough looking men. Wmchesters an
pistols were the principal ornaments,
they hung from painted pegs OF lay car
I'd lessly around within easy reach.
I'd A look Of astonishment that / cou
ne not conceal caused roar Of laughter a
VI they handed my evil genius a flask {
p brandy and showed him into one cornel
where lac was soon lost to the present, 4
he reclined in a drunken stupor.
"Come, young chap, you see we deco!
ed you; take hand just for luck
81 have no money"
" "Here Is pile Of chips, blue, red an
white. You see we sorter thought
70 how you was lonesum up thare and Sci
u Dick 10 find you. We will treat "
be right if you behave yourself Con
pc make your ante, you keep the gan
ps waiting"
a.