The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-22
Adventure at
Long Tunnel.
by C. w. REAMER.

Telegraphers are essentially a class of
rovers In the daily course of their busi-
ness they are brought in touch with points
hundreds, even thousands. of miles dis
tant. The sense of distance is thus lost,
and at the same time a feeling of restless
ness is created which can be satisfied only
by travel. To this rule l formed no ex-
oeption. For several years I had knocked
about the country at random. / had seen
service in both the large commercial tel
egraph companies and on many railroads.
/ had Travelled by Pullman and by freight,
according to the state of my finances at
the time, and in the course Of these trav-
els 1 had met with many experiences
which, when viewed retrospectively, are
frightened by the glamour of romance,
but at the time were terribly real. One
of these is the story which have to re-
late.
1t was in the spring of 1890 that, in the
course of my wanderings, / drifted into
Asheville. My finances were in depleted
state, and it became necessary TO replen-
ish them. Several days had been spent
in a vain search for a position when /
dropped in to see the superintendent of
telegraph on one of the great railroads
leading out of Ashevlle. Putting on my
best front / asked him if he needed a first
class operator.
well" said he. looking me over quiz
zically, II do need a man If he's the right
kind. Where have you worked?'
1 mentioned the name of a single rail-
road only. Rowing telegraphers are not
favored.
ANY references"
I produced a soiled paper that had ac-
companied me through all my wander
ings.
"A little stale" he said, land somewhat
the worse for wear; but it looks all right.
Go into The next room and Mr.. Jones will
see what you can do"
He took me to the door and introduced
me to the dispatcher who was sitting at
table with the train record spread be-
fore him.
This young man claims to be a first
class man. See what he can do"
Well said the dispatcher, turning to
me- answer that fellow calling Hx.'"
l answered, took the message and hand
ed it TO him. He looked at the handwrit-
ing approyingly.
Now he said, "send him that one"
When l had done so he took me to the
superint endent
We'll" said the superintendent when
he had heard the report, Il guess you'll
do. Now, l want you TO go to the east
end of Long tunnel. We are widening the
tunnel for three tracks. While this work
is going on, one of the two tracks at pres
ent there VIII necessarily be blocked. and
we Will have TO run trains through the
tunnel on a single track For this pur-
each end of the tunnel The position win
be one of responsibility. You will have
to be constantly on the alert-no going 10
sleep and losing trains there" he added
Warningly.
Il thank you for your kindness" I an
swered. when shall go?"
BE ready to go on duty tomorrow
night"
Il shall give a good account Of NV
self 1 answered as left him.
The next morning / boarded the train
for my new field of labor. Long tunnel
was about 40 miles west OF Coal 1ou,e-
For miles to the east the railroad ran
parallel with the river, through a beauti-
full and fertile valley, but at this point n
nan met an obs On in the shape Of
The mountain. and parting from its sin
uous companion, had plowed its way
through this natural barrier. emerrtn1
into the light of day mile to the west.
ward. At each end Of the tunnel a tenn,
porary telegraph office had been erected
between which a private wire had been
strung for the exclusive use of the tunnel
operators. The Offices themselves were
hastily constructed shanties. each con-
tanning chair and table for the instrt,-
ments.
The same evening I went on duty a,
the east OF Long tunnel The day man ex-
tlaincd 10 me me nature Of the work,
which was anything but arduous.
You simply call W the man ar IN.
other end when you want 70 let a train
In the tunnel said he. and get his per-
mission. lie must 90 the same before ~
lets train enter al is end such per-
mission having been civ n. he operator
giving II is bound 10 holi all opDostra
bound trains ana keep The tunnel clear
uUul the train which has been given he
right Of way clears at tie other end
That is an A. am uus TO- It's the greatest
snap ] ever had
m a.Irs
could enter tie tunnel until tie operator
az the other end had signihsd that the
track was clear ana would d. kept clear
untl such train had emerged al the other
end SUp.e as he system was, its very
simplicity seemed onif no ada 40 ifs ef-
ee,Veutss ma hnd We, ttC ere atorg az
Eered lo II strictly this story wouQ NOT
have been written. huf on night 'ahoui
a NINTH after nay edsspt az Ions tannsl