Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-06-21

lothian Croker noted the ex-
pressions of surprise so visible up
on the faces of his guests, and
smilingly remarked:
IL look almost old enough to be
her father, don't |? But still
there's only some three years differ
ance in our ages, is there mother?"
I'll admit, lads" went on Far
mer Crocker-"I look and act old
and decrepit. But have yet to
pass the ffty-mile stone aged
in one night, and that was
some twenty-eight years ago. I'll
tell you all about it, for its a tele-
graph story, and know you will
be interested.
IL was a telegraph operator,
young, full of life and nonsense.
Boiling over with ambition, and so
forth, Consequently when | was
offered Il chance to take charge of
an Office down in Arkansaw, near
the Red River, | jumped at it. 1t
was a frontier station, and what i'll
the world the Company ever run a
wire there for | never could find
out unless it was to give me job
and help me to secure one of the
finest women for a wife that ever
fell to the lot of man."
lothian, Jotham," interposed
Mrs. Crocker.
Never mind, my dear" went on
Mr.. Croker. II propose to con-
fine myself strictly to the truth,
Yes, boys, l repeat, don't see
what wire was ever run there for
unless, maybe, to let the folks in
the civilized world know whether
the Red River was booming, or
falling, or the Apaches intended
to gather in a few settlers scalps
in order to decorate their leggins.
Nevertheless the office was there,
and | went. Not only as an opera
tor, but a line man over some
fifty miles.
But bless we, all had to do was
to keep my batteries clean, and the
dust brushed off my table, and ride
back and forth over my section
once in awhile. | printed big
card which read: Gone out OH the
line, will be back inside of three
days. Leave all messages under IA
weight so they won't blow away"
And the old man chuckled.
But who was there to receive?'
asked Tom.
"Bless yer heart, there was no.
thing to receive. Well, while |
was out on one of my periodical
trips, / put up for the night in a
settlers cabin, and there met my
wife. A fine looking young
woman, and daughter of a hardy
pioneer | had been there often
before, and kind of looked upon Joe
Bemis's place as a sort of second
home. | used to carry my climb
ers and little coil of wire slung to
the pony's saddle, while my pliers
and wise found a place alongside of
a revolver and knife in my belt.
This night, of which | am
speaking, put my burro into the
stable without slackening a girth,
as | intended to push OH in an
hour or so. | hadn't any more
than begun my supper of hog and
hominy, with which the present
Mrs. Croker served me, than a
came tearing up to the
cabin calling out Indians! Injuns!
'Pacheesr
"A few words told us that the
reds were OH the warpath and COM
ing our way, What could we do?
There was only my wife's father,
the settler who came to bring us
the news, and myself, for men
folks.
1--WE can make a good battle,
said Joe Bemis-'but | am little
afraid that if the Indians pay us
long visit we'll come out the worse
for it. What are the soldiers do
ing that they are not out here
protecting the people? | suppose
they're toasting their shins and
playing seven up
Yes interrupted the new
conner. Not more than FIVE miles
away. If | only dared to, I'd ride
to the fort myself, and let EN-
know what's going on. But the
reds, as | hear, are atwixt here and
there.
"Oh, how wished then that |
had the key of my instrument in
my hand, and I'd call up the fort
in a few minutes, and have the
blue-coats in their saddles at short
notice, but ] was nearly a days
journey from the Office, and of
course, to reach it in time was out
OF the question.
"At length an idea struck me,
and | said:
"'Mr. Bemis, the Iddians haevn't
got here yet. Now, in case they
come, do you suppose you and your
neighbor can stand them off, say
until daylight? IF so | think |
can call relief.
How, young man. and |
thought my wife's father cast
somewhat contemptious look on
me.
q" Why, III tap the wire and see
if | can't make the fort understand"
81 don't know what you mean,
the settler.
81 know you don't, because