The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-05-11
patch the contents of q small basket
which had bought from home.

late, and had reported each Of them
promptly to headquarters when 1t
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
12.45. Through freight No. 252 from
the north would be due in quarter of
an hour. hadn't heard 1t reported
up the line, but supposed 1t would be
pretty nearly on time.
The storm appeared to be growing
fiercer, and I sat and listened to it.
How long listened do not know.
A light pounding nearby made me
jump up.
"what can that beP" asked my
self.
The pounding grew louder. All
the instruments were still and the
sound was distinct.
1 stood almost brea,hless beside
the table.
In less than minute I 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.
Some one had broken into the
women's room and was trying to force
open the window to the office, using,
evidently, 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
put them out, had also bolted the
doors of the mems room. Ed often
did that after IL 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 1 stood per-
fectly rigid.
apparently the thief is uncertain
whether there is any one here" /
thought. 'If he imagined there
wasn't, he would certainly smash the
window, iron guard and all, in short
order. Maybe he expects to find me
asleep and as soon as he prizes open
the window will thrust in pistol and
order me to hold up my hands,"
How was to defend myself? If I
went to the window, it would probably
mean prompt surrender or death, and
to hesitate much longer did not seem
likely to relieve the situation
"If I only had revolver" Ed
owned one, but he always carried it
with him.
resolved to start up one of the in.
struments in the hope that the loud
and sudden ticking might put the in.
truder to flight.
Bending over the table I opened the
key on wire No. 16. The machine
did not respond. Realizing that the
dampness of the storm had interfered
with the current, l tightened the
spring of the relay.
"SF ST ST Ok IL Ok 12."
The sounder was making those sig
nails with great rapidity. The trair
despatcher was calling my office, ant
the abbreviation meant, "Quick. W.
want you to hold train.
l answered, and the query came
back clear and sharp:
HNn ohOop
"Not yet," said 1.
GA for 252."
80. X" replied, confidently.
The despatcher's command was t.
hold the through freight for orders.
The noise at the window, which
ceased for a minute or two, had nov
recommended in earnest. Either tn,
latch OF the easement must surely Civ,
way very soon.
In order to stop No. 252 red Ian
tern would have to be hung outsid
the station, and no time should be los
in putting it there.
, perhaps the burglar has pal
guarding the building, and if l opel
the door 1 shall be overpowered an,
the office will be in their hands. Tha
J would never do. They must not know
, that any one is here.
: Thus / argued nervously to myself
: Then happy thought struck me.
, remembered that one of the lanter
brackets wasn't more than two fee
from the front window, which wa
> close beside me and overlooked tn
platform. By lowering the windo'
! at the top could probably reach it.
t Taking advantage of every rush an
sweep of the wind l managed to rails
. the shade and open the window with
out making noise likely to alarm m
lawless visitor. Nobody was to b
: seen on that side of the place and tn
> signal was quickly made fast to til
l bracket.
'Tn few minutes the freight wi
stop opposite the Office and the col
. ductor and engineer will bang on til
! door for their orders. can tell the
. my predicament in jiffy and the raj
cal won't dare to tackle three Of rs.
4 Quite satisfied with this reasonin