The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-24
THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL"

,~l "a number of city dailies. printed both tC
,e Fast and 20 the West, were glad 10 obtain
,ts openings The Atlas Graphic was par.
tca.arly careful to give Wartons sensation.
r. tAe world. The distance from the tele.
r-,uh wires. however, made u difficult to OBJ
Z, d late news.
Ralph Verne sat IN the telegraph Office one
e..-la,.r night almost doing over the clicking
wires. he was bat fourteen, and though
competent 10 be night operator of the little
station yet enjoyed play well enough TO feel
r.ther Jared when night came.
The express Is late he missed, as he
caught an order from division headquarters.
Vow TN have 10 SIT up here for an hour or
Two longer waiting till 1t goes by
be bad half-dozed of into Greenland again
v.sn has trained ear caught a quick-repeated
a., for his station.
HE answered it and waited The message
Want special on murder at Warlton.
Operator Get news and send quick. Good
ray Party here says murderer has one arm
aad bad scar on face. lSigned)
THE ATLAS GRAPHIC"
Ralph was wide awake by this time.
n. had not been up TO WarltOn that day
having been playing IN the fields and taking a
lunt across the prairie.
The news of the murder must have been
sent out by the day man, who had told him
rntlInr How was he to Get the stOrVy
Even rs he considered il there was a shut
frrot feet on the walk outside and the door
opened.
Aau dark-browed gentleman entered and
se.-ed himself IN the waiting-room. In
moment be arose and came into the operators
apartment.
Inc evening. he muttered, and Ralph
noticed that he kept heavy scarf around his
.Yes Been up-town?"
.Just came from there. How's the ex-
1.-Two hours late"
"Blme the luck That means big wait"
"U.d Won hear about the murder Z"
The mans head gave a quick jerk, and then
Dr. answered:
"Mlo was killed.
"Old Seym0re, the banker"
twas Ralph's turn 10 be surprised. The
oil man had been one of the richest men in
tie town. and lived alone on the outskirts of
"Brt how was it dOne?n continued the boy
Broke in somehow, an'-but don't know
alr ing about II. When will that train get
Ralph turned TO answer and saw the man
dos. behind him. The sinister face struck
t-.o- 20 his mind and he fairly shuddered as
Del need at II.
Wait and I'll ask. and be began clicking
Lsr
u 'front.' Of him was a piece Of glass cover
M- the connecting switch. II had become
dusty on the inside, and with the light shining
on II, made "a rude mirror. Suddenly glanc-
ing ln its direction Ralph noticed that he
could see the stranger who was still standing
behind bis back. AS he watched. he saw the
man loosen the scarf which was about his
neck. Something revealed itself that sent a
chill to the boys heart
There was a deep scar on the neck But
there was yet another sign. She stranger
up his neck again, and as he did SO
the other mark revealed itself. BE used but
one hand. The other was evidently useless.
Ralph was alone with a murderer
Won't be here IN some time yet, he NUT |
tered. with unsteady voice 20 keep the man /
quiet. "lll find ont shortly"
How his fingers did hy He called up the |
la1t station above and inquired for the sheriff. |
II lat iuncuOnaIy was out OtstONn. Then the |
81 3d. He, two was gone. But at the third !
tile operator toldhim that an officer was near /
The murderer of Seymore is in the Office |
here Balphrattled On, = and the officer, with
ID tl0ng force. must come on the express to
capture him. III keep him If / can"
suddenly the thought came over him:
~ hat II the man understands telegUphy;"
But glance al the mirror told HIM that the
ID was unfOunded.
Seems ter me you're a long time gettin' an
answer, muttered the man.
Fellow up the roads inquirin' about a car
ad of salt. answered Ralph, with pardon
-ule prevarcatlon
There's something, now he went on, as
BIS "calI" came. III was from the station
where the sheriff had been found:
Express just left. Sheriff and four aids
,b1ari
Trains left Salina. said Ralph out loud
Then he called up Cambria. Tell the con-
ucor % have sheriff and force in front car
-d make q quick leap" be instructed.
Soon the train reached the place. and he
,- LlOmed that the order had been Obeyed |
The man was walking restlessly up and |
wu the floor. Ralph was afraid he would
-pcct something, bat he evidently did not,
lt though he was constantly looking out of
le windows he seemed only anxious about the
Soon came the message from Solomon The
ll had left there. and Ralph leaned back in
chair 90 wait for the whirling wheels pass
fle long stretch that separated the two
atoms.
Tire man came up to him again The face I
"a, more sinister and uuprepOssessing than q
ie covered at the boy and was evil J.
.f. Is worried lest some one should come in /
there was little night travel and it was
likely that there would be another passeD-
Seems ter me you're dom a mighty lot of K
l,uess fer a night train, he grumbled. and O
nl saw IN the mirror that he was being s
q. ed closely. u
,t fussin' about the salt " was the reply. a
u-l with his excitement he could hardly u
calmly il
Suddenly the Iona drawn-Out whistle Of the G.
preaching express engine rung out through / u
r night. Tie stranger started nervOuslv b
made his way toward the door. PC
would the murderer escape, Would the b
rl De quick enough? Ralph could hardly ~
p nom leaping from his chair, and still lie h
r." he must not O'
Nihz-z went the iron monster before the in
.49w o sheet of steam and fire lighting its IN
'1 The dark baggage-car followed and "
came the first coach W
Ae opeator forgot prudence. He leaned di
QUO .i the window and saw five stout Va
leap ~ the platform He saw them APP W
Acl tlc figure in the shadow Of the door be
~ he stranger realized the danger and II
,.I'l 70 run. ki
'.'l- crack went the sherifFs revolver. Ci
inc murderer was stretched upon the plat
~ " moment be was in irons and the pas n
Aad gathered round. Before the tn
| P1ied out Ralph was the recipient Of
compliments. The best one was from 70
o',o t'iA, VINO said There is a reward Of In
n,'. 10y ior tins man, and you'll get IT, an
: ~ me tIain pulled out into the night and br
,n,4 iH and his posse started with the C..
ids man Tor half-mile walk across the in'