The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-05-11

Ed and had several times slowed up
his train TO let me off near my home.
''Just wait till Henderson gets hold
of you, you viflaini" thought, almost
aloud, grating my teeth and shaking
my clenched fist in the direction Of the
ticket window.
. Perhaps fifteen minutes had now
elapsed since / first discovered the
burglars presence. During that time
operations at the window had been
active in spells lasting two or three
minutes, after which things were quiet
for little while, which suggested that
my man was trying to devise m easier
means of effecting an entrance.
"What can be keeping the freight
so long?" Wondered. TT must
be close on to half past l."
1 looked at my watch.
Great heavensl 1t was ten minutes
to 81
nearly fell out Of my chair. The
truth flashed to my mind that the
pounding had aroused me from sound
asleep and that two hours had passed
| in what seemed to me not more than
twenty minutes.
"No. 252 must have gone by over
an hour ago and who knows what
terrible disaster has resulted from my
carelessness"
Northbound freight No. 253 and
southbound freight No. 252 were
scheduled in the time table to pass
each other ten miles below Hampton.
but that night 252 was little late out
of Portsmouth and the dispatcher had
planned to ''cross" them at Seabrook,
five miles north of their regular meet.
ing place.
Such were the instructions in the
order / held.
My terror at realizing the destruc.
tion and loss of life that might already
have ensued from my criminal stupid
ity dispelled for brief time all
thought of what was going on twelve
feet behind me.
"Not in yet?" inquired the de.
spatcher.
"Not in" I replied, fully conscious
of my uncertainty, but fearing to
acknowledge it.
Attracted by strange ray of light,
1 looked around and saw that the
ticket window had been raised, the
shade pushed aside, and dark lantern
was being used to search the Office.
The extreme western end of the
Office, where stood, could not pos
sibly be seen from the waiting room.
Hence, the thief would doubtless
think the place unoccupied, i expected
momentarily to see the iron gudrd
smashed in.
"No. 252 left SY (the nearest night
station north of Hampton, six miles
away at 1.15. For Gods sake, don't
let it get by you," urged the des-
patcher, excitedly.
It was not necessary to invent a
response. heard talking outside, and
recognized Henderson's voice.
Putting one foot on the table, 1
jerked open the window and leaped
out.
In less than twenty seconds there
after Conductor Henderson, Engineer
Cole, Brakeman Kelly, each carrying
lantern, and myself, marched into
the women's waiting room. We found
part of the glass in the door cut away,
and the fastening removed.
Mr.. Thief was all prepared to make
his exit, but the sudden arrival OF
four obstinate-looking spectators made
him conclude that it was better tc
surrender.
No. 252 was standing just above
the station, and at the engineers Gig
nal his fireman pulled down to where
we stood.
sect in there, Commanded Hender,
son to his prisoner, pointing to the
caboose. "We'll take care of you. ,
And he obeyed,
/ climbed back through the window
repeated the order to headquarter
, with the proper signatures, receive'
the despatcher's Endorsement, and 25.
went on. Her delay had been caused
, by swapping draw bar on an III
, grade, and having to chain and rechaii
, the cars together before the train coult
proceed.
Henderson said afterward that tn,
, fellow escaped being locked up, bu
that he did not escape being pitche,
off into a snowdrift.
= Anyhow, l never saw him again
and that was the first and last time
/ ever fell asleep while ON duty.-Ne,
! York Sun.