The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1893-04-05
THE PHANTOM TRAIN,
EN AECulE Il. ECOlE>ON.


ally from the lst of April till july,
aud on every third or fourth day tho
drizzlc changed to u heavy shower.
Road. were impossible, aud even rail
way traffic came to u standstiIl
was employed by the Great West
crn road and stationed at Wcstgate, a
beautiful town. not very large, but
the centre of piece of magnificent
scenery. 10 the north Il majestic
grove of oaks lowered up from the
banks of the Big Stowe River which
flowed sulleuy along on its south
westerly course, leaving the little city
short dislauce 10 the east. A black
smith shop, two or three stores, a res
taurant aud hotel. church aud n
schoolhousc, which was lighted up by
the pleasant face Of the postmastcr's
only daughter Stella, made up the
public buildings of the place. with the
addition of the depot aud grain ware
house, where but little business was
transacted during tho food.
About mile uorlhward the railway
bridge spanued the Big Stowe. and
had been requested by the bridge fore
man to make trip out TO the struc-
ture every day iust before dark to see
that the approaches were safe, as in
every severe storm the river. already
swollen to full banks, would lap the
end of the long bridge und whirI
ficrccly around the piers.
slept in my Office, as duty COM
pcllcd me TO remain there quite late at
night aud it was but little trouble to
change my lounge into II bed. had
also II corner occupied by II pony in
slrumcnt on which at odd moments
through the day [ Instructed young
student in the art ot tcegraphy, feel
ing thankful for something TO help me
TO pass away tinc in such dull
weather.
Que sultry evening, after few
hours Of clear sky, placed my rail
way-tricyclc on the track preparatory
10 making my evening trip 10 the
bridge. Heavy banks of clouds could
be seen in the west, and there was an
Ominous stiffness in the air that made
anxious TO maize speedy trip. .,
1t was II toilsOmc Journey, and the
pcrspiralion gathered on my fore
head aud my breath became short be-
forc | flushed il; but. although !
found the waller higher than it had
been, ii was not more dangerous to
the bridge.
Upon my relurn took care to have
my switch lights trimmed aud placed
out earlier iham usual aud hastily par
took Of supper, for already the low
mutleriag of dislaut thunder forcioId
II heavy storm aud II bad night. When
IL broke ut lust | was alone in my
office, aud the cracking of the tcIc-
graph instruments, AS the Lightning
played around them, rcscmblcd the
iiriug Of IL small pistol. The rain fel
IN torrents aud the wind blow as il
would dcmolish everything before il.
l sat listening TO the efforts of tho
dcspaichcr to make his train orders
plain, and when his continued rcpcti.
tions made me nervous, fell back on
my gultar for consolation. Aftci
playing evory mournfut melody
could think Of, spread out my be,
and dropped On ii, to rest, If not lo
sleep. For somo time | heard tho
rain beating asainst the window ant
tho wind rushing under the cornicc- o.
the depot aud creeping along th'
raftcrs with sobs like those of child
then dozed oil to sleep, aud noli.in.
troubled me.
| awokc suddenly TO iiud mysel
sitting up in bed, and to hear !h,
pony instrument working clearly, u
If handled by mastery fingers. wa
spellbound, for the apparatus wa
connected with tie main line, an,
tl,e,e was no Que in the room; but
clicked distinctly, and my bloo'
curdled as recognized The call that i
used on the wires only fW those mes
sages that are always sent to a
operators ear---the "dcath signal.
Who was sending it!
sprang out Of bod, tul ned m