The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1891-07-02
Hear then this lesson, hear and heed.
THE TRAIN DISPATCHER.

monotonous regularity that made |
one sleepy. The air was damp and
chilly outside, only to make the CRATE
II dispenser of warmth and comfort. |
The constant clicking at my desk re-
lieved the louesomeness, as sat with
my thumb and two fingers on the key
and my eyes on the clocks dial send
ing the trains III security along the
various lines of the road.
The comfort and happiness Of men,
women and children were intrusted
to 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. l sat all
alone with invisible glances fixed on
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 unerring Judgment.
Every delayed train became an OBJ
lect OF concern as it sidetracked Tor
the regular or made up the time be-
tween long runs, thus keeping my
nerves up to the tension which made
lie constant round OF duty.
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 the door, the cool air 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 I'M
consciousness, when a rap at the door
startled me. Glad to escape from the
incubus that mademe dull, | welcomed
the intruder with 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
wild-looking eyes stared steadily into
mine Was the man lunatic just es
capped from the asylum? Insanity wa:
evidently stamped upon the neglected
face.
care you the operator?"
Eyes; what do you Yant?"
"Here is n note for you. You dar'
not refuse the request contained IN TIN
letter. You recognize the handwrit
ing?"
hurriedly glanced along the line
to catch the import. My heart stoot
still.
"Gol will be at the appointed place.
| was instructed to see that you di'
, come. | will show you the way"
t glanced at the face, upon which
: frigid determined look had settled witt
4 u savageness that made me tremble
$ The letter was before me. Withou
0 noticing the remark, read every lin
t that burned into my brain.
i "Wait. will come.
/ arose from my seat glanced sharl
o ly at the clock, noted the time, whic
j was proptious, for ! could spare a
> hour without danger, drew on m
. overcoat and followed the stranl
:. man, who seemed entirely Oblivion
, to surroundings as he strobe forwar
4 with an energy that made waikiki
+ anything but pleasure.
:. halted and dropped behind a co
10 ner; in a moment his clammy, bon
p fingers were around my throat. ! W.
" powerless to resist. A choking sens
ton made me weak and timid. Wit
a movement that he seemed to unde
4 stand, the strong grip on my neck WI
relaxed. Again we strobe forward
turn into byways which were unknov
- to me.
| was betrayed; what was Il
terrible danger that made my duty
- culpable neglect? Already the m
. ments were flying a chilly sensatit
IN swept through every nerve as thong
10 of the helpless lives intrusted to
'o- keeping; but onward hestrode, cou
. feel the basilsk charm OF the bloodsh
eyes that resembled Goals OF fire
they cast watchful glances behind.
halted at a remote house on t
suburbs; with u heavy rap he sto
waiting for an entrance, while his
|. human expression was intensified
the sickly glare of a single tallow d
. whose dull rays struggled through
dingy panes.
A shutting gait from within anC
cautious turn of the key opened
door to reveal the outlines OF n be
figure that shaded the canule WIN {
hand, while suspicious cunning st;
was fixed upon the newcomers.
Without a remonstrance l follow
my guide through the rickety pass;
J., that ended at low, wide port
IN which was securely closed. Quie
AT the limping figure drew from the fl
gar ed cloak bunch of keys and with
ON treme deliberation pushed open
nat door.
the The subdued hum of voices reacl
to us family as we passed along n
SUI row. dark way to stand at the ian
ion err end until food of light aim
,ro- blinded our eyes. We entered,
80 door was closed. The low-ceiled 70
YER was filed with rough-looking N
and Winchesters and pistols were the p
INV cipal ornaments, as they hung II
CO. painted pegs or lay carelessly .aro'
' 'ssT within easy reach. A look OF asst
'ion ishment that | could not cone
eA- caused roar of laughter as I
L. handed my evil genius flask OF bI
DIV and showed him into one cor
cart where he WAS soon lost to the pres
ms he reclined in drunken stupor
,l, we