Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-01-10
A DANGEROUS DOZE
nesult of . Nap Taken by . Teae-
graph Operator.

graph Operator.
In tia fall Of 1850 was employed -
. telegraph operator on . leading West
era road. and located In the thriving
little town Of x. ! was young 1t the
business then. and did not possess the
Judgment or presence Of mind that nine
long years OF railroad experience has
since given me. Bat 10 my story.
II was . cold, stormy night In the LAT
Ter partef December. The snow, which
had boon falling necessarily since morn
Ing. still continued when, lunch-basket
in hand. made my way down the quiet
village street toward the depot
Upon my arrival the day man ex-
planned to me all the unfinished BUSH
ness, ohattsd 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 rails
ing old Ned with railroading, the trains
are all late, and unless It stops soon you
win have busy night oft Keepyour
wits about you"
The night express No. "a, which was
due 1T X at 900 q M, was reported one
hour and thirty minutes late, and
the east-bourd passenger No. 10,
the flyer, ss 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 1t Coal Switch, = small station
tan miles east.
As the clock struck the hour Of mid
night, and my sieepiness increased,
foolishly resolved to take q 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 my-coot for pillow and
doxed the long hours away, never fail
ing to respond when my sounder called
me.
But was ur commonly tired that
night, and slept on much longer than
/ intended. When woke "a Y" THAT
stood for the dispatcher.s office) was
calling re. l 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
Ii it had passed my station the noise
would surely have walked me, then an
swercd IN. Y" which to him meant,
not yet.
He then called Broclxton, the second
station st, and, upon his prompt reply
81 l." 'sB" sent the following order adj
dressed to the operator at x and to No.
81 at Broclston 1t read:
'No. "a win run to X regardless Of No 49,
Operator at x viii hold No 10 until No. "a mr.
rivcs."
My readers will readily understand
that the order was given TO help 27
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-
duceor and engineer of No. %, 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
enc after another In quick succession
these questions srose: Why don't 10
come? Had No. 10 passed, and II 50.
what would be the result? Ny head
was spinning like top.
To ease my mind, and, perhaps BE-
cause did not know what else to do, 1
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
q great bank of wavy clouds, and by its
6m 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 1 lay down to rest
knew that No. 10 had passed while I
oarelsssly slept.
Ny brain seemed on fire. staggered
back into the Office. The dispatcher
was again calling me.
With trembling hand l grasped the
hey and answered him Again his
former question was asked: "Has No.
- arrived?" What should ssy9 Fear
advised nae 10 again reply IN Y" and in
the time that would elapse before they
could arrest me make good rny escape.
Duty whispered: BE man. needed
It ard told him all Re had no time to
chide ne even had he desired. IL was q
time for action then ! heard hira send
this message to The superintendent's Of
Zee:
NO. - sad No n IN meet IN . collision
rear Co& Sv.tcA sesd wreckisg srsv sad
xsy<seians IT snee''
PACED the ofice like . mailman. aud
prayed that God world IN his mercy
spare these poor helpless passengers:
that He would not stain my ha1ds
with their bloods Jet all tie time know
ing how impossible sueh thing would
Be. The minutes seemed hesrN
TWENTY Of them passed. thea thirtr.
~Hsw 80 Care An Shin DsseAsea~