The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1897-07-17
of the mountains in the b1ockaded

of the mountains in the b1ockaded
section of the road.
l admit l felt queer. I began to
imagine all sorts of things-that the
wires were playing me false, or that
there was rascality going on at
Jones Siding.
II must stop it,, I said to myself,
cor find out the culprit. But first I
must find what the scheme isl
I called up Jones Siding and asked,
"How is the weather up there2"
"Snowing,'' came the reply.
"Where is Chester's caro- was add
ed significantly.
Chester was the paymaster. With
that inquiry it dawned upon me
what the plan was. It was to wreck
and rob the paymaster's car.
It was we'll known to all on the
line that the paymaster was due at
Carlton on the morning of the 18th
of each month, to start west over
the next section to pay the hands.
It was also we'll known that Chester
made the run from the central Office
to Carlton the night before the 18th
in his handsomely equipped private
car.
The paymaster's car was due at
my station in about ten minutes. My
plan Of action was quickly formed.
I set the red signal to hold the car,
though the track ahead was clear.
I then grounded my instrument,
breaking connections to the west
and called up the main Office.
could thus make inquiries of the
central Office without my messages
being heard at Jones Siding. Ordi-
narily, of course, a message sent
over a line is heard at all stations.
Every instrument connected with
the line clicks out the same words.
"Where is the night operator re-
Gently stationed at Martinsville2" I
was now able to ask the main Office.
II don t know. Why2" was click
ed in return.
II think he is up to mischief.
Hunt up his recent record, quick.
Particulars later,' I feverishly an
swered.
80. H." came back. =
Then there was a wait. impa-
tiently looked at my watch. Five
minutes went by, then seven, then
nine minutes. I was listening in
tently for the whistle of the pay
masters car. At the same moment
came my call on the wire and the
shrill whistle I was expecting. This
was the message rapidly jotted
down on my pad as the paymaster's
car came rafting up the line and
stopped before the station: flames
Houston appointed night operator
at Martinsville Nov. 6. Recon-
mended by commercial college. Dis
charged for neglect Dec. 1O."
Ireturned the usual 60. K. - re-
stored connections with the west
and started for the platform to see
the engineer of Mr.. Chester's car,
when I was recalled to my instru-
ment by the most emphatic signals
from Jones Siding. s
"Where in thunder have you been
for the last ten minutess'' was the
impudent message.
"None of your business, 1replied
as impudently as he.
HAS Chester got along YETI"
Jones Siding then asked me.
Eyes, he is here taking water and
ORDERS" .<...
"What ordrrsf'
II will let you know in time"
I then broke connections with
Jones and went out on the platform.
"Hello, Brinton! What's the mat
ter ahead2" greeted the engineer.
''There's some fine work ahead,
I imagine, I said. II must wake
Mr.. Chester up and tell him about
it." ~...-s.
you'd better be sure it is serious
before you disturb him. He wants
his full nights Sleep" the engineer
cautioned.
"I'll risk its seriousness, an
swered as I mounted the rear steps.
The rear door was locked, but I
ratified and thumped it until I had
the three occupants-Mr. Chester
and his two assistants out of their
berths with revolvers in hand.
I soon treasured them, and they
let the engineer and me into the car.
I rapidly told my suspicious and
how they were supported. Mr..
Chester agreed with me that the
matter was suspicious and that there
might be danger ahead.
Various plans of circumventing
the robber or robbers were discussed
that of sending a message by
roundabout circuit to Winslow,
whittier the mail train was going,