Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-06-03

ing and signing Of the wind and the
incessant and wearisome hum-m-m-m M
m-m-m of the wires outside the sta
ton. The blending OF the last two
sounds was as doleful rs the clang Of
bell buoy in a violent storm.
Twelve o'clock came round. That
was little too early for luncheon, but
/ felt hungry and proceeded to des.
patch the contents Of q small basket
which / had bought from home.
After that / became somewhat
drowsy. None of the trains, so far,
had been more than twenty minutes
late, and I had reported each of them
promptly to. headquarters when II
passed my station.
The temperature of the office must
have been 80 when I turned the lamp
down to mere glimmer and again
settled back in the big chair about
l2.45. Through freight No. 252 from
the north would be due in quarter OF
au hour. I hadn't heard it reported
up the line, but supposed 1t would be
pretty nearly on time.
The storm appeared to be growing
feroer, and sat and listened to it.
How long I listened l do not know.
A light pounding nearby made me
jump up.
"What can that be-" I asked my
self.
4 The pounding grew louder. All
the instruments were still and the
sound was distinct.
stood almost breathless beside
the table.
In less than q minute was
convinced where it came from.
In the back part of the office were
the ticket windows opening respec-
lively into the mems and women's
waiting rooms. A heavy blue shade
on each window prevented any one
from seeing the interior Of the Office.
These shades were always drawn after
the departure Of the last passenger
train for the day. ..i
Some one had broken into the
women's room and was trying TO force
open the window to the Office, using,
evidently, q chisel and mallet.
The doors of that room were al
ways locked by the day man before
going off duty, and / made sure early
in the evening that that task had not
been neglected. Moreover, as tramps
were not allowed in the station, and
it was easier to keep them out than to
putthem ont, / had also bolted the
doors of the mems room. Ed often
did that after ~ o'clock.
The safe, containing books, tickets,
and perhaps 5000 or $500 in cash, was
midway between the two windows and
about four feet from each.
For fully five minutes stood per-
fectly rigid.
apparently the thief is uncertain
whether there is any one here" I
thought. "If he imagined there
wasn't, he would certainly smash the
window, iron guard and oil, in short
order. Maybe he expects to find me
asleep aud as soon Us he prizes open
the window will thrust in pistol and
order me to hold up my hands"
How was to defend myself? II /
went to the. window, IL would probably
mean prompt surrender or death, and
to hesitate much longer, did not seem
likely to ralieve the situation
IF I ouly had revolver" Ed
owned one, but he always carried it
with him.
/ resolved to start up one of the in
49,, On. sv,x &hAk In
and sudden ticking might put the in
truder Ia fight.
Bending over the table opened the
key on wire No. 16. The machine
did not respond. Realizing that the
dampness of the storm had interfered
with the current, 1 frightened the
spring of the relay. o..
''SF ST ST OK IL Ok H."
The sounder was making those sig
mails with great rspidity. The train
dispatcher was calling my Office, and
the abbreviation meant, "Quick. We
want you to hold train.
I answered, and the query came
back clear aud sharp:
"No. 1892"
''Not yet" said /.
IA for 252." ....
30. X" I replied, confidently.
The despatcher's command was to
hold the through freight for orders.
The noise at the window, which
ceased for minute or two, had now
recomme nced In earnest. Either the
latch or the easement must surely give
way very soon. N
In order to stop No. 252 Q red Ian
tern would have to be hung outside
the station, and no time should be lost
in putting it there.
"Perhaps the burglar has pals
guarding the building, and II / open
the door / shall be overpowered and
the office will be in their hands. That
would never do. They must not know
that any one is here.