Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-04-05
Miscellauenms.
DELAYED DISPATCH.

| had never been left alone in charge
of the Office before 1t was a cold, blus-
terry day in January. one of those dreary
winter days that make one feel so mel
anoholy and blue, the wind shrieking
about the building and the snow falling
thickly in great white flakes. which
seemed to be wing with each other for
a comfortable spot on which to fall
when reaching the friendly bosom Of
earth. Old Sol had not favored US with
q smile all day, but had sulkily hidden
his face behind the gray restless clouds.
II was truly dismal afternoon.
The Office building in which was
domiciled was one of those dreary old
country stations which seemed to be
dropped along the side Of the railroad
track at intervals without IN effort ut
making them other than what they are,
both uncomfortable and unsightly.
The little town of B was sleepy
little village of about 900 inhabitants,
built down in valley, surrounded by
hills, from which flowed an abundance
Of beautiful, clear, pure spring water
supplying the humble, contented citi-
zens To-day the place presented II pic
turesque appearance The snow had
been falling heavily during the night,
and trees, fences, housetops. bushes and
streets were completely covered with the
beautiful"
The principal street of the village
ended at the foot Of the long winding
bill 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
sleighbells waited to my cars on the
frosty air as some farmers boy took I'D
vantage of the deep snow to exhibit his
new sleigh, and n merchant now and
then coming to the station for his small
shipments One or two disconsolate
looking tramps passed my Office, trudg-
ing along through the snow, casting an
envious glance in my direction as | sat
10 the bow window
This cold wintry day, as | sat in the
little Office listening intently to the tick
of the two instruments on tho table in
front of me, little did dream that it
was to be the one eventful day of my
life. Looking from the windows, | could
See east and west Of me the straight line
of track stretching away like two silver
reptiles running side by side over vast
white sheet. A short distance north Of
the office was the old wooden mill of
Barlet & Sons, from which issued the
sound Of the merry wheels as they hum
med in busy unison with the click Of
the looms, keeping company with my
wandering thoughts.
At distance of perhaps a quarter Of
a mile on each side Of my office we're
two curves. preventing my seeing train
approach the station from either direc-
ton until the shril whistle of the en-
CINE called for my signal or down brakes
! had just learned biography, or
thought | had, having studied it about
four months, and had become proficient
enough, as my sanguine teacher avowed,
to I'll the glace with perfect safety while
he made a pleasure trip to Louisville,
the center of gravity for him. | re-
member had serious misgivings as to
my ability TO take care Of the office work
and sat with tears trembling on my eye
lashes long after the train bearing my
only assistance had disappeared and felt
very much depressed, as though on the
eve Of some great calamity
To throw of this dreadful feeling |
walked to the waiting room and back
several times, bumming popular air to
keep up my spirits. think had been
thus occupied an hour or so when heard
the train dispatcher at IN" giving an
order to the operator at Wilmington for
No AZ, freight train coming east -
II read Train No 48. engine 1886,
has until eleven ten G1:10) a, m. TO
run to RaysviIle for No. IL, engine 245
r. q. l.
went to the table an copied the or
der as it was given, simply doing so to
pass the time, and heard the operator al
WILMINGTON receive it and give the zig.
natures Of both conductor aud engineer
Of No. 48, the dispatcher giving him
the correct time Then | noted Viii.
mingtoD reporting No 48 out Of his sta
ton at l0:40 m. After an interva
Of half an hour or so the operator al
"M." asked il there were any orders fo
No. Ill, receiving a negative answe
from the dispatcher All this | note,
casually, not thinking for moment tina
/ - lad tha aIiobtaat ;.1ax.at 70. -. At :