The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-02-09
A LONELY PLACE.
Romantic Story Of the Telegraphic
Wires.

1
"You will find it lonely out-of-the-
way place-a perfect wilderness-but
1t is all that I 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 telegrapher you can have the ap-
pointment," said Superintendent
Nash, referring to vacancy on rail-
road line that traversed the wild,
mountainous section of Virginia soil
~ cannot say that / am fattered
with the picture you draw, sir, but, as
am looking for a 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 man addressed.
Very WELL" replied the superin-
tendent, shortly. "If you attend to the
business properly we shall not give
ourselves any uneasiness about how
you manage to live the life of hermit,
for such 1t 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 week, and l shall
not blame him, either, for it is the
most God-forsaken place l was ever
in"
L s.Aa 81,
Hugh found it all that he represented
1t, 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
to the old adage: Whatever is worth
doing at all is worth doing WELL" he
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
telegrapher had inaugurated.
There was no doubt about its being a
lonely place, and except the people in
the well-f filled 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 a human face.
After he had been there some weeks
through the wires he formed the &C
quaintance of Frank Reynolds, the
operator at Mantua, 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:
"FRIEND HUGH. have Just received word
! that my fortnight's vacation is TO begin this
f afternoon. My substitute is here already and
/ will be of this evening Win pass through
Benning on No. g. Be out TO wave oongratula
tions. AS ever, FRANK"
''Eurekal" calculated Hugh 81 wish
that train would consent to drop him
of. Wouldn't we have jolly time to,
gether? 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;
Cant you get an order TO have the train rol
YOU on at Benningf 1 should like to have The
pleasure Of your company during few OF you
vacation days"
few minutes later he had his an
swer:
mo. 8 is a tyrant with rules ana regulation
l that never change; consequently I canno
$ honor myself by accepting your oher OF hospi
e tality."
''What can't be cured must be en-
dured," muttered Hugh, discousolately
when he knew the decision "Well
there is one thing sure-l'll see til,
dear fellows face, and having nothing
; else TO do he fell to weaving fancie
n concerning the appearance of Franl
= Reynolds, for up TO the present dat
u the young operator had studiousl,
avoided exchanging pictures, an,
further than that he had brown hal
and eyes Hugh had not the remotes
idea of the looks of the friend he ha,
:, learned to esteem so highly
Il No. 8 passed through Benning
1. short time before midnight, and TWEEN
u ty minutes later the lightning expires
thundered down the steep grade at tn
rate of mile minute, fairly shaking
the little frame depot on its founda
): tions. At Lyman, two miles above
lt the two trains met-the one reaching
o the place first side tracking until tn
81 other one passed. 'i hH b.
y AS there was no night operator a
Benning, and no important train
stopped during the night, Hugh was a
liberty to close up the Office and e
|, home at ten o'clock, but he was quit
" nighthawk, and usually remained a
his post until after the hands of tn