Passaic City record., 1893-04-01
THE PHANTOM TRAIN.
BY ARCHIE R. EGGLEsoN.

ally from the 1st of April till July,
and on every third or fourth day the
drizzle changed to heavy shower.
Roads were impossible, and even rail-
way traffic came to standstill.
was employed by the Great West
ern road and stationed at Westgate, a
beautiful town, not very large, but
the centre of a piece of magnificent
scenery. To the north 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
q short distance to the east. A black
smith shop, two or three stores, res
taurant and hotel, church and a
schoolhousc, which was lighted up by
the pleasant face of the postmaster's
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 food.
About mile northward the railway
bridge spanned the Big Stowe, and |
had been requested by the bridge fore
man to make trip out to the struc-
ture every day just 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 and whirl
fercely around the piers.
slept in my Office, as duty COM
PEELED me to remain there quite late at
night, and it was but little trouble to
change my lounge into bed. I had
also corner occupied by pony in
strument on which at odd moments
through the day / instructed young
student in the art of telegraphy, feel
ing thankful for something to help me
to pass away time in such dull
weather.
One sultry evening, after few
hours of clear sky, ] placed my rail-
way-tricycle on the track preparatory
to making my evening trip to 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 make speedy trip.
1t was toilsome journey, and the
perspiration gathered on my fore
head and my breath became short be-
fore / finished it; but, although ]
found the water higher than it had
been, it was not more dangerous to
the bridge.
Upon my return took care to have
my sWitch-lights trimmed and placed
out earlier than usual and hastily par
took of supper, for already the low
muttering of distant thunder foretold
q heavy storm and bad night. When
it broke at last / was alone in my
Office, and the cracking of the tele-
graph instruments, as the lightning
played around them, resembled the
firing of q small pistol. The rain fell
in torrents and the wind blew as if
would demolish verything before it.
sat listening to the efforts of the
dispatcher to make his train orders
plain, and when his continued repeti-
tions made me nervous, fell back on
my guitar for consolation. After
playing every mournful melody l
could think of. spread out my bed
and dropped on it, to rest, if not to
sleep. For soms time l heard the
rain beating against the window and
the wind rushing under the cornice. .of
the depot and creeping along the
rafters with sobs like those of child ;
then dozed off to sleep, and nothing
troubled me.
I awoke suddenly to find myself
sitting up in bed, and to hear the
pony instrument working clearly, as
If handled by mastery fingers. l was
spellbound, for the apparatus was
connected with tie main line. and
there was no ono in the room; but it
clicked distinctly, and my blood
curdled as recognized the call that is
used on the wires only foi those mes
cages that are always sent TO an
operators ear--the 'sdeath signal" ("
Who was sending it?
! sprang out Of bed, turned my