The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-02-05
A DANGEROUS DOZE.
Result Of Nap Taken by a Tele-
graph Operator.

GEdpu fOpcTdUOTs
In the fall of 1880 was employed al
a telegraph operator on leading West
ern road, and located in the thriving
little town Of X. was young at the
business then, and did not possess the
Judgment or presence Of mind that nine
long years of railroad experience has
since given me. But to my story.
1t was cold, stormy night in the lat
ter part Of December. The snow, which
had been falling necessarily since morn
in hand, made anyway down the quiet
village street toward the depot.
Upon my arrival the day man ex-
planned to me all the unfinished busi-
ness, chatted pleasantly on various
town topics for little time, then donned
his overcoat, and ON bidding me good
night, said:
Charlie, old boy, this storm is rais-
ing old Ned with railroading, the trains
are all late, and unless it stops soon you
will have busy night oft Keepyo
wits about you"
The night express No. "a, which was
due at K at 2:20 a. m., was reported one
hour and thirty minutes late, and
the east-bound passenger No. 10,
the flyer, as it was called among
the railroad boys, was due at two q. M,
and was reported one hour and ten
minutes late. This being single-track
road, these two trains usually met and
passed at Coal Switch, small station
ten miles east.
As the clock struck the hour Of mid
night, and my sleepiness increased, I
foolishly resolved to take short nap
before train time, thinking / could cas-
lily rouse myself when occasion called,
for many had been the night that had
stretched myself full length on the
Office desk with mycoat for pillow and
dozed the long hours away, never fail
ing to respond when my sounder called
me.
But was uncommonly tired that
night, and slept on much longer than
/ intended. When woke "a Y" (that
stood for the dispatcher's oface) was
calling me. rubbed my eyes and,
still half asleep, answered him with II
TX" He then asked me for No. 10.
thought one brief second, reasoned that
if it had passed my station the noise
would surely have walked me, then an
swered IN. Y" which to him meant,
not yet.
He then called Brockton, the second
station east, and, upon his prompt reply
"1 l." "B" sent the following order ad-
dressed to the operator at X and to No.
81 at Brockton. It read:
mo. 81 will run TO X regardless OF No 10
Operator at < will hold No 10 until No. 81 ar
rtveA"
My readers will readily understand
that the order was given to help 81
along, and upon the strength Of my re-
porting No. 10 as not having passed my
station. Not more than ten minutes
after the order was given heard Brock
ton send in the signatures Of the con-
ductor and engineer Of No. 81, heard
the order corrected and knew that they
had left Brockton and no night Office be-
tween us.
Then for the first time commenced
seriously to consider .he matter; and
one after another in quick succession
these questions arose: Why don't 10
come? Had No. 10 passed, and if so,
what would be the result? My head
was spinning like top.
To ease my mind, and, perhaps be-
cause did not know what else to do, I
went out and examined the rails. The
storm had ceased and here and there a
twinkling star could be seen. The
moon was trying to shine from beneath
a great bank of wavy clouds, and by it's
dim light could see them and they told
the story but too well. The rails were
clean from snow, and as it had been
showing when ] lay down to rest
knew that No. 10 had passed while
carelessly slept
My brain seemed on fire. / staggered
back into the office. The dispatcher
was again calling me.
With trembling hand I grasped the
key and answered him. Again his
former question was asked: HAS No.
10 arrived?" What should soy? Fear
advised me to again reply IN Y" and in
the time that would elapse before they
could arrest me make good my escape.
Duty whispered: "Be man." needed
it and told him all. He had no time to
chide me even had he desired. 1t was q
time for action then. heard him send
this message to the superintendent's Of
fee:
mo. 10 and No. s7 win meet in collision
near Coal Switch. Send wrecking crew and
physicians az once"
paced the Office Hike q madman, and
prayed that God would in his mercy
spare those poor helpless passengers;
that He would not stain my hands
with their blood yet all the time know
ing how impossible such o thing would
be. The minutes seemed hours.
Twenty ot them passed. then thirty,