The times., 1898-04-24
A NIGHT OPERATORS STORY.
Exciting Time ANith Thief Mt
Lonely Railroad Station.
From the New York SUM-

{Frnm the New y ACrk sun
The life Of telegraph operators in the
city is very unlike that of their brothers
in the country. and the duties of the
commercial operator differ greatly
from those Of the railroad man. The lat
ter's work may not be as arduous as the
other fellows but il is frequently at
tended with much greater responsibility.
And one does not need to so to Mexico
or Montana in order TO satisfy himself
that the railroad operator also has his
share Of close shaves and hair-raising
experiences. a Sun reporter met recently
a veteran key twisteT'' who used to be
employed nights on the eastern division
OF the Boston and Maine Railroad in
New Hampshire. He tells startling
story of his experience with a burglar
while having orders from headquarters
10 stop a through freight. The predica-
meut in which he placed himself by fall
ing asleep at his post should be warn
ing to all night operators who have a
hand in the movement of trains.
Just throw two or three shovelfuis Of
coal on the fire every hour or 50 and
make yourself comfortable. There won't
be much doing tonight. and after No, 2
goes-why. scoot home.
Those were the last words Ed said
fa me as he buttoned his collar high
around his neck and hurried out Of the
office.
ED was the regular night telegraph
oneratar at the little town OF Hampton
situated on a single track rai4foad III
New Hampshire. He was not more than
t,s-s7fv-five wears Old, and the monotony
~ his work caused him to seek frequent
recrea tion away from the ONCE Ii a
dance was to come off in the town hall
or within ten miles of 1t Ed would be
there. provided he could find someone TO
taka his place for that night al the ofhce
Il was only sixteen at the time a lew
Years before my brother and two other
Young men, all older than myself, had
built a private telegraph line between
their homes in order, as they said. to
learn how TO sling lightning well enough
10 work in a busy office. Each became a
very good operator and in time found
employment at his trade
..AltboIgh an eager disciple Of the art,
I was almost too young TO have thor
oua-h knowledge Of telegraphing when
my brother left home; but knew enough
about il 10 want TO know more, and the
day and night operators at Hampton
we're annoyed by my visits TIL they de-
cfded that ] was an entirely hopeless case
and couId even be trusted occasionally to
sub for them
And that is what I had agreed TO do
for Ed on the night mentioned-a cold
and clustering night in February
The task was not altogether an agree
,bIa one No passenger trains stopped
at Hampton after 6:25 O'Clock IN the eve
ming After no one ever called al the
station to inquire for freight, and by
L. Z foot ST. Tag1f
nlarform ceased, only dim light mere
and there could be seen, and everything
about the place appeared to be dead.
"a thick snowstorm, which set IN our
fng the evening did not detract AT an
from The Ionesomeness Of my quarters.
But every place is lonesome at night J
unused. and one cannot always nave
cornDauy to cheer him
.sI-his tfought coupled with the reflec-
;ion that in the morning | was 10 receive
$50 for my services, quieied my fears
for the time being
"A red. a white and a blue lantern were
afways kept burning in the Office atnlght
In case they should be needed quickly. /
.a2arpfned each Of these lanterns to see
If il was properly filled and secured, look
ed after the fire in the big coal stove.
readiusted the relay wires, Nos. and
IG and lay back i'm the big, cushioned
armchair. with the air of one who had
done his full duty.
aside from the clicking Of the tele-
yraph (Which was intermittent, and made
me start when II struck up suddenly after
a silence longer than usuaD, all that
could be heard was the groaning ana
signing Of the wind and the inceSsant ana
wearisome hum-n-m-nl -n-rn-m Of the
wires outside the station. The blending
OF the last two sounds was a.s doleful as
the cIang Of a bell-buoy in violent
storm.
Twelve O'Clock came round. That
was a lie too early for luncheon. but
| felt hungry. and proceeded TO dispatch
the contents Of a small basket which /
had brought from home.
After that | became somewhat drowsy.
None OF the trains so far, had been more
than twenty minutes late, and ! had re-
ported each of them promptly 10 fead-
quarters when It passed my station.
The temperature Of the office must
have been 50 when ! turned the lamp
down TO a mere glimmer and again set
tied back in the big chair about 12:45
Through freight No. 2j2 from the north