The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-07-25
THE TRAIN DISPATCHER.

The Office clock tickod with a steady
wing, the long pendulum oscilated
between the ends of the arc with a
monotonous regularity that made
one sleepy, The air was damp and
chilly outside. only to make the CRATE
n dispenser OF warmth and comfort.
The constant clicking at my desk re-
lieved the lonesomeness, as / sat with
my thumb and two fingers on the key
and my eyes on the clocks dial send
ing the trains in security along the
various lines of the road.
The comfort and happiness OF men,
women and children were intrusted
10 my vigilant care. The response
bility of the position can only be APP
preciated by one who is, or has been
placed in a similar position. sat all
alone with invisible chances 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 "a me from distant stations to
locate every movement that guided
my unerring judgment.
Every delayed train became an OBJ
lect OF concern AZ 10 sidetracked for
the regular or made mp the time be-
tween long runs, thus keeping my
nerves up TO the tension which made
lite n constant round OF duty.
i looked drowsily at the clock. my
eyes were heavy with sleep OH for
something TO rouse me. | walked the
narrow space in front OF the railing.
opened tho door. the cool mir blew
on my face to bring new life to the
sluggish blood that was stealing all
my senses. 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 UNI
consciousness, when a rap at the door
startled me- Glad to escape from the
incubus that made me dull, welcomed
the intruder with a bluff.
"Come in"
A rough looking figure stood by my
side. The broad brimmed SLOUGH hat
half concealed the fierce look that
made me feel uncomfortable as his
Withholding eyes stared steadily into
mine. Was the man a lunatic just es-
capped from the asylum Insanity was
evidently stampedlupon the neglected
face.
"Are you the oper ator2"
ayes; what do you want?"
"liere is note for you. You dare
not refuse the request contained in the
letter. You recognize the handwrit-
ing2"
hurriedly glanced along the lines
60 catch the import. My heart stood
still.
500 will be at the appointed place"
was instructed TO see that you did
come | will show you the way"
glanced at the face, upon which n
frigid determined look had settled with
a savageness that made me tremble
The letter was before me. Without
noticing the remark. read every line
that burned into my brain.
wait | will come.
| arose from my seat glanced sharp
~ at the clock, noted the time, which
was proptious, for | could spare an
hour without danger, drew on my
overcoat and followed the strange
man. who seemed entirely oblivious
10 surroundings as he strobe forward
with an energy that made walking
anything but a pleasure.
halted and dropped behind cor
ner; in moment his clammy, bony
fingers were around my throat. | was
powcrless TO resist. A choking sensa-
ton made me weak and timid With
movement that lee seemed TO under
stand the strong grip on my neck was
relaxed. Again we strobe forward to
turn into byways which were unknown
20 me-
was betrayed; what was the
terrible danger that mnde my duty a
culpabe neglcct2 Already the mo-
ments were flying. a chilly sensation
swept through every nerve as | thought
oil the helpless lives intrusted TO my
keeping; but onward he strode, l could
feel the bcsilisk charm oil the bloodshot
eyes that rcsembled Goals OF fire as
they cast watchful chances behind. We
halted az = remote house on the
suburbs; with heavy rap he stood
waiting for an entrance, while his i'm
human expression was intensified by
the sickly glare OF single tallow dip,
whose dull rays struggled through the
dincy panes.