Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-03-31
THE PHANTOM TRAIN
BY ARCHIE r. EGGLEsoN.

1t was the summer of 1888, known
as the wet season. 1t rained continu-
ally from the 1st of April iill July, y
and on every third or fourth day the
drzzle changed to heavy shower.
Roads were impossible, and even rail-
way traffic came to a stondstill.
was employed by the Great West
crn road and stationed at Wcstgate,
beautiful town, not very large, but
the centre of a piece of magnificent
scenery. To the north a majestic
grove of oaks lowered up from the
banks of the Big Stowe River which
flowed sullenly along on its south
westerly course, leaving the little city
a short distance to the cast. A black
smith shop, two or three stores, res
taurant aud hotel, church and
schoolhousc, which was lighted up by
the pleasant face of the postmasters
only daughter Stella, made up the
public buildings of the place. with The
addition of the depot and grain ware
house, where but little business was
transacted during the flood.
About mile norlhward the railway
bridge spanned the Big Stowe, aud
had been requested by the bridge fore
man to make trip out TO the struc-
ture every day just before dark to sec
that the approaches were safe, as III
every severe storm the river, already
swollen to full banks, would lap4le,
end Of lnv'i0SS,g bridge and vii
fierceIy around the piers.
slept in my Office, as duty con
pelIed me to remain there quite late
night, and it was but little trouble I
change my lounge into a bed. l ha
also corner occupied by pony !,
strument on which at odd momsn
through the day instructed youn
student in tine art of teiegraphy, fee
ing thankful for something to help N
to pass away time in such du
| weather.
One sultry evening, after fe
hours of clear sky, placed my raj
way-tricycle on the track preparation
to making my evening trip to Il
bridge. Heavy banks of clouds cou
J, be seen in the west, and there wac 9
ominous stiffness in the air that mac
y anxious 10 maize speedy trip.
,. 1t was a toilsome journey, and Il
perspiration gathered on my for
head and my breath became short b
fore / finished it; but, although
IA found the water higher than it hi
q been, it was not more dangerous
the bridge.
n Upon my return l took care to ha'
my switch-lights trimmed and plac,
out earlier than usual and hastily pa
took of supper, for already the 10
- muttering of distant thunder foreto
= heavy storm and bad night. VIII,
!. it broke at last l was alone in II
: Office. and the cracking of the tel
: graph instruments, as the lightnil
played around them, resembed t
firing of small pistol. The rain Fl
in torrents and the wind blew as
would demolish rything before
nd sat listening TO the efforts of I
!. dispatcher to make his train orde
plain, and when his continued repe
tions made me nervous. fell back
- my guitar for consolation. Aft
playing every mournful melody
could think of, ] spread out my b
aud dropped on it, to rest, if not
sleep. For some time | heard {
rain beating against the window a
tho wind rushing under the cornice.
the depot and creeping along I
rafters with sobs like those of chill
then dozed off to sleep, and nothi
In troubled me.
- | awoke suddenly TO find mys
sitting up in bed, and to hear
pony instrument working clearly,
if handled by mastery fingers. v
spcllbound, for the apparatus v
connected with tie main line, a
there was no one in the room; bu
clicked distinctly, and my bic
curdled as recognized the call thai
used on the wires only fol those m
cages that are always sent to
operators ear-the t'death sigma
Who was sending it?
n | sprang out of bed, turned
lamps higher, seized my fountain-l
and made ready to copy. The mess
ran as follows:
"From Austin toC.W. G., Oelwe
Number Four Night Limited W
down at Big Stowe Bridge. III
and sixth trestIe washed out. Sew
ty-five killed. AK. c.
u, read and roread this till my Q