Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-08-05

up Jones Siding and asked, where
is tho mailf"
1T is just approaching thotowcr.
VIII be Ivy i'll minute, CamO the
answer. natural enough in substance,
but alarming in that it was in moi
thCr jim Evans nor Ned AldriCh s
sending.
l was just on tho point of asking,
"Who arc youf" but restrained my
again from there, SHE has Just
gone by This was the same uprr-
atOr
The thought flashed through my
mind: Il know that click. Where
does it belong! And what is that
operator doing ut Juncsf"
After Al deal of coniuring with my
wits | remembered that the last
messages from Jones Siding were
i'll the unmstaklhlc style of the
out of the way station in the midst
of the mountains Ill tho blOCkadCd
section of the road.
| admit l felt queer. ! began to
imagine all sorts of things-that tho
wires We're playing me false, or that
there was rasCality going ON at
Jones Siding.
Il must stop it, " l said to mysclf,
cor find out the culprit. But flst l
must find what the scheme IL. "
nj 4 1
How is the weather up thCrci"
"SnOwing, Camc the reply.
Whore is Chcstcr's carr" was add
ed significantly.
Chester was the paymaStcr. With
that inquiry it dawncd upon me
what the plan was 1t was to wreck
and rob tho paymastcr' car.
1t was we'll known to all on the
line that the paymaStcr was due at
Carlton on the morning of tho 18th
of each month, to start west over
the next section to pay the hands
II was also we'll known that Chester
made the run from tho central Office
to Carlton the night before the 18th
in his handsomely equipped private
car.
The paymaster's car was duo at
my station in about ten minutes. Ny
plan of action was quickly formed
l set the red signal to hold the car,
though the track ahead was clear.
l then grounded my instrument,
breaking connections to tho west
and called up the main Office.
l could thus make inquiries of the
central office without my messages
being heard ut Jones Siding. Ordi-
narily, of course, Il message sent
over line IL heard ut all stations.
Every instrument connected with
the line clicks ont the same words.
"Where is the night operator re-
Gently stationed at Martinsvillc2 2"
was now able to ask tho main Office.
Il don't know. Why2' was click
ed III return.
Il think he is up to mischief.
Hunt up his recent record, quick.
Particulars later" l fovcrishly an
Swercd.
80. h. :" came back
Then there was wait. impa-
tiently looked ut my watch. Five
minutes went by, then scvon, then
nine minutes. / was listening i'll
tently for the whistle of the pay
masters car. AT the samo moment
came my call on the wire and the
shrill whistle l was expecting. This
was the message l rapidly iotted
down on my pad as the paymastcr's
oar came rattling up the line and
| stopped before the station: James
Houston appointed night operator
at Martinsville Nov. 6. Recon-
mended by commercial college. Dis
charged for neglect Dec. 10"
returned the usual 80. X. re-
stored connections with the west
and started for the platform to see
the engineer of Mr.. Chester's car,
when l was recalled to my instru-
ment by the most emphatic signals
from Jones Siding.
where in thunder have you been
for the last ten minutosi" was the
impudcnt message.
None of your business, ;" replied
as impudently as he
Has Chester got along YETI
Jones Siding then asked me.
Yes he Is here taking water and
orders.
What ordersf"
Il will let you know in time"
l then broke connections with
Jones and won't out ON tho platform.
Hello. Brintonl What's the mat.
ter aheadi" greeted the engineer.
There's some fine work ahead,
l imagine" said Il must wake
Mr.. Chester up and tell him about
it,"
You'd better bo sure it is serious
before you disturb him. He wants
his full nights sleep" the engineer
cautioned.
I'll risk its seriousness, | an
swered rs | mounted the rear steps.
The rear door was locked, but
ratified and thumprd it until | had
the three occupants-Mr Chester
and his two assistants-ou of their
berths with rrvolvcrS in hand.
l soon rcaSsured them, and they
let the engineer and me into the car.
l 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