The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-08-24

tnOse ureary Gays that make one
II feel so melancholy and blue, the
wind shrieking about the building and the
snow falling thickly in great white flakes,
which seemed to be lying with each other
for comfortable spot ON which to fall
when reaching the friendly bosom of earth.
Old Sol had not favored us with smile all
day, but had sulkily hidden his face behind
the gray restless clouds. 1t was truely
dismal afternoon.
The office buildingin which was domi-
ciled was one of those dreary old country
stations which seemed to he dropped along
the side of the railroad track at intervals
without an effort at making them other
than what they are, both uncomfortable
and unsghtly.
The little town Of B was a sleepy
little village of about 900 inhabitants, built
down in valley, surrounded by hills,
from which flowed an abundance of beauti-
full, clear, pure spring water, supplying the
humble, contented citizens. To-day the
place presented picturesque appearance.
The snow had been falling heavily during
the night, and the trees, fences, housetops
bushes and treets were completely covered
with the beautiful"
The principal street of the village ending
at the foot of the long winding hill which
served as a coasting place for the merry
young people. The only sign of life about
the place this memorable afternoon was the
occasional jingle of sleighbels waited on
my ears on the frosty air as some farmers
boy took advantage of the deep snow to
exhibit his new sleigh, and merchant now
and then coming to the station for his
small shipments. One or two disconsolate
looking tramps passed my Office, trudging
through the snow, casting an cnvious glance
in my direction az sat in the bow window
This cold wintry day as sat in the little
office listening intently to the tick of the
two instruments on the table in front of me
little did dream that it was to be the
one eventful day Of my life. Looking
from the windows, l could see east and
west Of me the straight line of track stretch
ing away like two silver reptiles running
side by side over vast white sheet. \
short distance north of the office was the
old wollen mill of Bartlett x Sons, from
nh tla Of l,a ,l,nol lie
as they hummed in busy unison with the
click of the looms, keeping company with
my wondering thoughts.
At a distance of perhaps quarter of a
mile on each side Of my Office were two
curves, preventing my seeing train
approach the station from either direction
until the shrill whistle of the engine called
for my signal Or down brakes.
l had just learned to telegraph or
thought had, having studied it about four
months, and became proficient enough, as
my sanguine teacher avowed, to fill the
place with perfect safety while he made a
pleasure trip to Louisville, the centre Of
gravity for him. remember had serious
misgivings as to my ability to take care of
the Office work and sat with tears trembling
on my eyelashes long after the train bear
ing my only assistance had disappeared
and felt very much depressed, as though
on the eve of some great calamity.
TO throw off this dreadful feeling |
walked to the waiting room and back sew
eral times, humming popular air to keep
up my spirits, l think | had been thus
occupied an hour or so when | heard the
train dispatcher at 'M," giving an order
to the operator at Wilmington for No. AS,
a freight train coming east. 1t read:
''Train No. Is, engine 236, has until 10
a. IN. to run to Raysville for No. III, en-
CINE 2i5.-R. G. H."
| went to the table and copied the order
as it was given, simply doing so to pass
the time, and heard the operator at Will
mington receive it and give the signatures
both conductor and engineer of No. Il, the
dispatcher giving him the correct time.
Then noted Wilmington reporting No. IS
out of his station at 10. 10 a. m. After an
interval of half an hour or so the operator
at "M. " asked if there were any orders for
No. ILL., receiving a negative answer from
the dispatcher. All this ! noted casually,
not thinking for moment that it had the
slightest interest for me, other than some
thing to copy, and in blissful Ignorance
that we were on the verge of terrible cat
astrophe.
In few minutes, while lazily gazing
west from my window, saw a hazy, dark
mist curling up over the snow capped trees
in the distance, which looked very much
like smoke from an engine, and while
was conjecturing as to what it might mean
| heard the signal for my target as it sung
around the curve into sight. 1t struck me
as being exceedingly strange that No. Is,
freight train, was running to ON" re
gardless of the limited and | concluded to
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