Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-09-12
love IN A SIGNAL BOX.

Tony Smith had SAID his last
good. by to the little knot of ac-
0ualntances he had made In the
country during the two years he
had been night operator in the
"tower." 1t was with no mall
degree of pleasure he had received
advice from the division operator
that be would be transferred TO a
ward Office, and that his successor
would be sent on at once to relieve
him. That same day the new man
arrived. Smith met him at the
station. The newcomer was a
quiet, well built young fellow,
rather handsome, Tony thought
He took him up TO the tower, in
troduced him 10 the day men and
in a general way explained th'
pecaliarilieS of the blocks con
troled by them, bow the third
track was used jointly by eas
hound anu west bound trains, how
as the next tower east WAS mum
| Der of miles distant, the rule o
allowing but cue train In ID block al
a time was modified and SO on, tc
ali of which the stranger listened
attentlveIy.
Tony than offered to take hin
mn to the farm whore he had beer
boarding, saying that no dOnb: hi
could arraDge to stay there if h
liked, and as the neighbors had
, prejudice against the night opera
tors Oh account OF tIeir untlmrll
bonrs it wouId he the best plan u
90 with him. 1t was bat q Shor
> d,stauce down TIE track anu vi
the lane TO the hour. AS the pal
= drew neal IL young woman WI
had reen sitting Oh the porch ROSE
and with heightened color as sh
raw the stranger would have re
treated had not Tony called he
lamlllarl, as MOllie and bade he
await their coming. He introduce
his companion, Will Kaye. as hl
successor, and after few word
had been spoken the maiden wei
= in search of her father, while th
d two operators seated themselV'
n on the edge Of the porch.
ShIth was one Of that class
, men who make confidants OF ever
= one, Judging all from their o"
-- free hearted, generous standpo'l
Kaye listened to his talk Win
onet smile, which grew mo
/
pronounced and kindly as his col
pamon proceeded. The twain We
otb the best of friends ere the farm
dis came up from the pOIato pat'
ress ,as hoe in hand, to welcome bis n'
.nts guest. Molie accompanied hl
o." aud DOW, when Kaye got a 60
nee. look at her, he vas more III
'T,o 90 upxious to take the place of Sml
pie at the farmers table.
~ That night Tony and Kaye VIZ
- together to the tower and the d
G men leaving at Z o'clock gave I'd
! = updispuled possession for the II
ssy' twelve honrs. There was III
:, as'.i .; time tor conversation that mig
= J oss s What between the usual u" "
'sIaa 's:a of extra freighis in both d'rec.'
,yss; ssS causing many train ORDERS an"
:;;;s ~; necessary explanations OF the "O
q is,::, ::s ing OF the nlock<, Tony was K
ms busc lie noticed, however, i
: The new man was i good opera,
Sk, aud although he said that he
meyer worked or tra'u wlreS' q"
t., grasrea the de'a'ls' ana % 10
.,rninp was working the Sc
rbores ana notit, ing the 10
ahead # passing trains VIZ"
j ,rguIl,i y of a veteran r'O"
Il Al Z o'clock the next morning
were ,rne ed by the day men' !
hrinp two operators o" uu''
A daylight, the work being nc"
q Tired and Sleep the n'g0'
we're soon III bed at ''7 s',,, ,s'"
Il Daring the afternoon smith q
for the east 10 high spirits :
supper time came the gap. gap IaS "s'
! Siss his absence brought Mol'ic ne !
-iet Kave. Fa Her fresh beauty and
iached sDirits pleased the stranger