St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-09-03


turned her attention to the depot Office
and soon transformed the rough, bust
ness-like place into . luxurious, fairy
den.
The waiting-room had an entrance
from the side fronting their residence.
and another door connected II with the
Office. This door was removed and In
its place the busy little woman hung
curtains Of . pretty design and looped
them back Hastily; about the Office she
placed many little nothings that had q
wonderful effect on the appearance Of
the place; last, she bought . small
mirror and suspended il to height she
could easily reach, almost opposite the
curtained doorway.
When Ned questioned her as I'd what
the glass was for she lovingly answered:
ITO see how my bangs look when
hear the train coming"
After everything had been fixed to
her satisfaction she asked Ned to teach
her tcleRraphy, which request he glad
" complied with. and WAS delighted to
find her such an apt pupil.
To add to their pleasure and amuse-
ment. Ned placed an instrument in
their cory little sitting-room, and for
hours they would keep up an animated
conversation; in addition to this pas
time he utilized his machine at home for
transaction Of business when his wife
or himself was feeling unwell, for he
had ''cut In" on the main wire.
One evening in December, after his
work At the Office had been completed,
he walked mp the track to see that the
switches were all right. His duties for
the day were over except the reporting
of . through passenger, which few
past their little home at seven thirty.
and this piece Of work he usually did
over his instrument 1t home.
Dusk had settled about, hut the gold
en- visage Of the moon, floating in .
cloudless sky, portended q beautiful
night, and he stepped briskly forward,
exhilarated by = crisp breeze that came
whisking from the dark rim of trees
visible In the distance.
He had found everything safe. and
was in the act of fastening home, when
he noticed dark object seeming to lay
across the track. two or three hundred
yards further on, and ut = point where
the road made sharp curve.
For = moment he thought it only IN
illusion. such as can be had on q moon
light evening just as day is verging into
night; but forcing back this idea, as we'll
rs q strong desire to go home. he
turned his face toward this OIL ject de-
termined to satisfy his curiosity.
He was not long in arriving ut the
spot, and to his surprise and horror he
found the object to be pile Of cross
ties on the track. lie advanced quick
" to throw them aside, when he dis
covered that several rails had teen torn
from the track.
This fearful sight chilled his blood,
and he stood almost paralyzed for .
moment. Then he thought o. the train,
loaded with human souls, that was even
then rushing rapidly toward its doom.
and wheeling round he dashed toward
the depot.
He had scarcely traverscd twenty
steps, however, before he felt . heavy
hand come down On his shoulder.
.Haltv' came . gru6 voice, lone
step further, and you die!"
Ned felt the cold muzxle Of . revolver
come in contact with his ear. and he
stopped.
$50" the voice continued, sneering.
~, Thought yed Spite our prospects,
did YEP
'.For Gods sake" begged Ned, ''let
me 20 and save the precious lives you
have put In jeopardy
mice move that'd be for US, "chuclkled
the wrecier. "after all our work and
plans"
"Bu. think. man. what You are do.
ing"
"Doue thought; and the end Of the
think Is Ynfs we're goin' to hsvc . pull
1t ; fhs Up 6kh now on tho train you
Ned shuddered. What ST !uld he do?
Reside, hin stood . deter bined man
ready S64lbA his brains oq Z necessa-
~ to the furthering Of thu nurderous
plsns. X:
Suddenly, probably with knowing
il, the hand holding the phi II dropped
. few inches. and the III al on Ned's
shoulder loosoned its ghip; then q
wild desire to reach his N6ce flashed
across the operators mind md c'inch-
ing his teeth, he shook ! nsen loose
from his capter and ned ipibe direction
Of the depot 81
lie had gone several ~, before the
man realized his escape. then . deep
curse broke out on the evfk ing air and
the train wrecker started pursuit.
Ned glanced back, and in place Of
one he saw several forms tdshing after
hin. IL:
Don't shoot" he heard lone Of them
say; 1T might arouse ftIne one; b.
sides We can reach the oflke before he
can send . warning mess.
Poor Ned's heart san rs he heard
this; he knew too well th| { they would
dash in On him before hi could even
get . response from one bf the Offices
above him; but he mad dashed in
| to his Office and attemptcS TO lock the
door.
But, alas. for once he MS too exoited.
and before his trembling \dngers could
place the key in tho ck the entire
crowd was On him. II
| "Sit down now" psntr one OF them.
and behsve"
In despair Ned dropped into chair.
with his back to the cur aims, and bur-
| led his face in his hands
| Afeer . hurried consult tion the gang
Of wreckers left two Of heir member
70 guard Ned. while TIL rest hastenod
back TO the demolished hex.
The telegraph instrr ent was tick
Ing away merrily, LOADED with train or
ders and news OF the da& Oh, how his
trembling fingers, idly a tmming on the
10000 - 1,;e ch>iv 1<,,,1 A IN aei1e thA