The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1892-01-14
A LONELY PLACE.
Romantic Story Of the Telegraphic
Wires.

Romantic Story Of the Telegraphic
Wires.
"You will find it lonely, out-of-the-
way place. perfect wilderness-but
1t is all that have at my command ut
present, and If you are brave enough
to go down into the marslly 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
81 cannot say that am flattered
with the picture you draw, sir, but, as
am looking for situation and beg
gars shouldn't be chooscrs, will take
my chance and try my luck until
something better turns up" said Hugh
Gordon, the young man addressed.
Very wcll," replied the superin-
tendent, shortly. IF you attend to the
business properly we shall not give
ourselves any uneasincss about how
you manage to live the life OF hermit,
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. Hes fresh from school and has
been accustomed to civilized society, so
it is not probable that he'll do bit bet
ter than his predecessors. He'll be
back at the end Of week, and shall
not blame him, either, for it is the
most God-forsaken place / was ever
in."
But he was mistaken, for, though
Hugh found it all that he represented
it, hc was not easily discouraged and
took hold of tho work with as much
energy as If the place were in the very
center Of life nnd business. Adhering
to the old adnge: 'Whatever is worth.
doing at all is worth doing WELL" he
performed his various duties in the
best manncr 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 tho
new methods which the college bred
telegraphcr had inaugurated.
There was no doubt about its being a
lonely place, and except the people in
tho well-iillcd trains that few 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 &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:
"ERIENp HUGH: have just received word
that my fortnight's vacation is to begin this
afternoon My substitute is here already, and
will bo OF this evening VIII pass through
Denning on No. 8. De out to wave congratuia.
tions. AS ever, FRANK"
"Eurekn!" ejaculated Hugh II wish
that train would consent to drop him
off. 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 on order to havo tho train roll
you OF ct Benning? should like to bave the
pleasure CT your company during few Of your
vacation days"
A few minutes later he had his an
swcr:
I ''No. Is o tyrant, with rules and regulations
That never change; consequently I cannot
honor myself by accepting your cffer OF hospi
tality."
"What can't be cured must be en-
dured," muttered Hugh. discousolately,
when he knew the decision. swell,
there is one thing sure-Ill see the
dear fellows face" and having nothing
else to do he fell to weaving fancies
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 har
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 q
short time before midnight, and twen-
ty minutes later the lightning express
thundered down the steep grade at the
rate of mile minute, fairly shaking
the little frame depot on its founda-
tions. At Lyman, two miles above,
the two trains met--the one reaching
the place FIRST sidc tracking until the
other one passed.
AS there was no night operator at
Benning, and no important trains
stopped during the night, Hugh was at
liberty to close up the ofce and go
home at ten o'clock, but he wns quite
9 nighthawlf, and usually remained at
bis post until after tho hands Of the