The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1892-01-15
A LONELY PLACE.
Romantic Story Of tho Telegraphic
Wires.

You will find it lonely, out-of-t the
way place-a perfect wildcrness-but
1t is oil that have at my command at
present, and if you are brave enough
to go down into the marshy country
and do the combined work of agent
and tclegrapher you can have the APP
pointment" said Superintendent
Nash, referring to vacancy on rail
road line that traversed the wild,
mountainous section of Virginia soil
II cannot say that am lattered
with the picture you draw, sir, but, as
1 am looking for situation and beg
gars shouldn't be choosers, will take
my chance and try my luck until
something better turns up" said Hugh
Gordon, the young nan addressed
VERY WE'LL" replied the superin-
tendent, shortly. "lf you attend to the
business properly we shall not give
ourselves any uneasiness about how
for such it will practically be, and
You cannot say that failed to warn
you," he added, as he turned away
Then to himself he soliloquized: THAT
chap will not be in Benning fort
night He's fresh from school and has
been accustomed to civilized society, so
1t is not probable that he'll do bit bet
ter than his predecessors. He'll be
back at the end of a week, and shall
not blame .him, either, for it is the
most God-forsaken place l was ever
in"
But he was mistaken, for, though
Hugh found it all that he represented
it, he was not easily discouraged and
took hold of the work with as much
energy as If the place were in the very
center of life and business Adhering
dolng at an IS worth dong wen, ne
performed his various duties in the
best manner possible, and, though the
railroad officials said nothing, from the
way they glanced around the waiting
room-as clean and bright as soap and
water could make tit was evident
that they had no fault to find with the
new methods which the college bred
Photographer had inaugurated.
There was no doubt about its being a
lonely place, and except the people in
the wcll-hlled trains that flew past
without stopping and the rough section
hands, who occasionally came in to
light their pipes and chat few min
utes. he scarcely ever saw human face.
After he had been there some weeks
through the wires he formed the ac-
quaintance of Frank Reynolds, the
operator at Mantua, a small station
fifty miles further on in the wilder
ness. After their first introduction the
two spent many pleasant hours con-
versing on congenial subjects
One day just after Hugh had returned
from his dinner the ticking of his in
strument left this message for him:
"rRIrND HUGH: l have Just received word
that my fortnights vacation is 10 begin this
afternoon. My substitute is here already, and
viii ba on this evening. Win pass through
BcnninS on No s BE out to wave congratuia
lions As ever, FRANK"
''Eureka!" calculated Hugh. ii wish
that train would consent to drop him
off Wouldn't we have a jolly time to-
gcthcr? Wonder if he could not get an
order to have it stop. There would be
no harm in trying, at any rate" and
then back over the wires he asked:
Can't you get an order to have the train roll
you on at Bcnning? should like TO baye the
pleasure q Jour company during few Of your
vacation days"
A few minutes later he had his an
swer:
Mo 8 Is tyrant with rules and regulations
that nevcr change; consequently i cannot
honor myself by accepting your offer OF hospi-
taiity."
What can't be cured must be en-.
durcd." muttered Hugh, disconsolately.
when he knew the decision. well.
there is one thing sure-rn see the
dear fellows face, " and having nothing
else 10 do he fell to weaving fancics
concerning the appearance OF Frank
Reynolds, for up to the present date
the young operator had studiously
avoided exchanging pictures, and
further than that he had brown HAIR
and eyes Hugh had not the remotest
idea Of the looks of the friend he had
learned to esteem so highly.
No s passed through Benning a
short time before midnight, and twen-
ty minutes later the lightning express
Numbered down the steep grade at the
rate OF a mile minute, fairly shaking
the little frame depot on its founda-
tons At Lyman, two miles above,
the two trains met-the one reaching
the place first side tracking until the
other ono passed.
As there was no night operator al
Benning. and no important trains
stopped during the night, Hugh was at
Liberty 10 close up the Office and 60
home nj ten o'clock, but he was quite
. nighthawk. and usually remained at
his post until after the hands Of the