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

tapping Of his Hervous Aneers O III
chair changed to telegrs phic signals:
''Step back quick. and listen" the
clear taps spoke out, and 70 his Joy she
quietly obeyed. and the curtains nut
tered softly back 70 their places; then
he went on:
Hurry home and wire Ellavilae 70
stop 81; track torn up here and gang OF
wreckers waiting to rob It; send help
on engine; be quick; / am under cover
Of pistol"
As this ominous message was listened
to by the wife, her courage almost
failed. and an icy hand seemed to clutch
her throat, but the thought Of Ncd's
danger renewed her strength, and she
stealthily crept from the depot.
After he had given the Instructions
to his wife, Ned listened attentively to
catch the sound Of her departure. but
SO soft was her tread that he could not
decide whether she had gone out or not;
this added more fear to his already
overstrained system, and he was almost
in the act Of springing on his captorA
although II was certain death. when he
heard the instrument begin to tick with
renewed vigor; to add TO his ~ he
recognized the delicate. firm touch OF
his wife, and in the steady click he
heard the call for Ellaville.
Il seemed that an answer would
never be fiven to his wife's rapid call.
and this added fuel to Ned's terror.
Suppose the operator at Ellaville was
away or asleep? Tho train would dash
by and plunge to its destruction with
out any idea Of danger.
He was almost in the act Of giving up
all hope, when there came q response
from the station called; then Ned heard
the sweetest music he had ever listened
to; tho wires carried these words:
''Stop s3-rails torn from track near
here and gang waiting to rob the
wreck; send engine with armed force
quick; agent In great dangerr"
Ellsville gave = startled exclamation.
and replied:
Just in time; So now in sight"
Ned listened for no more; his over
wrought system relaxed and it was
with great effort that he kept from
fainting.
His guards, in the meantime, had been
laughing and joking over the situation
One of them asked:
mister Agent. how much longer
fore that train gets here?"
swercd Ned; 1t has just been reported
at Ellaville."
Good" they muttered; guess well
tie you up and 60 out with the boys;
don't object, do your" and they grinned.
no" steadily replied Ned; land II
did it would be useless"
Right you are. my daisy" and with
these words they proceeded to securely
bind Ned to his chair.
IF we should forgit 10 come and turn
you loose" one of them laughed, rs
they walked out, '.your little woman
will attend to it, for If you're out much
longer she'll surely be after you."
Ned vouchsafed no reply. and the two
villains hurried away IA Join their com
radcs.
Five minutes-ten minutes passed,
and to Ned's ears came the deep sonor.
Gus sound of the engine whistle. as il
blew for Pineville.
Then no heard tho sharp crack Of
rifles: followed by terrible shrieks, and
all was silent
"Ned," came a soft voice behind him,
and . trembling little woman rushed
In, .have they hurt your" rs she began
undoing the bonds
mo, sweetheart" he cried, claspine
her to his bosom, but had it not been
for you there is no telling what might
have happened"
Her face flushed with pleasure. and
she asked:
ibid l send It correctly, Ned?"
'Correctly?'' echoed the husband. III
was the grsndest message that ever
flashed over these wires"
Just then knock was heard on the
door, and opening il Ned admitted 2
crowd of men, in the midst of whom
were several prisoners
1--WE got most Of Them" said man
who seemed to be the leader Of the
party.
"Are these all?' asked Ned.
swell. not exactly; we left two lying
out BY the track" was the laconic
answer.
All Of them proved to be old offenders
and were duly punished; and in the
winding up Of the affair the railroad
authorities amply rewarded the gallant
little wife for "Her First Message.
Edward N. Wood, in Old Homestead.