Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-05-03

his way up anu WHO HOW boosted MS
millions.
The president was n tall, dark man.
With stern features, but a kind heart,
and often | watched him with envy as
ne alighted from his private car and
entered the handsome victoria which
carried him behind his spanking team
mn to his home on Lakeville heights.
often the president did not go ND to
,be city. and ON these occasions he
wired me on his private line, and |
wired to the city for him.
one day, CHANGING to sit at the in
strument there came call on the
presidents wire, and, responding, re-
ceived this message: let me know If
the road is clear
A minute later called up his private
wire and tapped. THE road is clear"
AN right" came back the answer.
1t was a simple enough message, but
il set my pulses throbbing. Mechan-
ically | touched the button and repeat.
cd the message, The road is clear"
and Immediately came back the words,
"All right.
| sat at the instrument like Il man in
q dream. and my thoughts We're with
Dick, who had sat at the same spot
five years before and had touched that
same instrument What was there in
that reply that so fascinated me. or
was il the anniversary of poor Dicks
death that made me fanciful?
That afternoon the president came
down TO the station on business, and
looked at him closely. He must have
seen me watching him, for he shifted
his position uneasily and nervously
handled the instrument | may say
that he was an expert operator and
preferred telegraphing his messages to
writing them.
As ] watched him | remembered
hearing the strange story of his rise;
how from an operator on a distant road
he had suddenly become a stakeholder,
a director and finally the president Of
the road. and how his wealth and hold
lngs were known far and wide
lie seemed i'll at ease that day, and
withdrew my eyes and busted myself
elsewhere. But more than once he
caught me looking at him.
Twice that day the president drove
down TO the station, and slowly he
drove home again as though he were
disturbed about something The third
time he came ii was almost dark, and
heard him send his coachman home,
telling him that he would follow soon
on foot
For half an hour the president bus
led himself around the station, "A most
unusual thing for him. and when he
finally took leave it was To walk hur-
rielly away in the direction of the
churchyard, a journey which | often
took myself
Scarcely realizing what | was doing,
| pulled my cap over my eyes and
started after him What excuse |
would make if he turned and saw me |
knew not | only understood that some
force was pulling me onward and that
same force was taking me over the
same road and in the very footprints
Of President Croydon of the Lakeville
and Laska railway.
as he reached the church and. plodding
his way past it, opened the gate which
led into the churchyard and slowly
wcndcd his way among the graves
Nojselessly followed him. Through
tile narrow paths we went he the sub
stance, / the shadow close after him.
But horror of horrors, he stopped!
~ L., i,I-
So grave. Lower and lower he sank
until he was upon his knees and his
hands We're spread out upon the sod.
In the uncertain light Of the rising
moon ! could see that he threw back
bis head, that his face was drawn and
deadly white and that his lips were
moving
] must have stepped upon a twig, for
sound betrayed me. Springing to his
feet DE turned and faced me, not ten
feet away.
With cry Of rage he sprang toward
me- SO YOU followed me" he cried
fercaIy between his teeth. you dog
god my stepsr
Tie was a powerful man, but in the
struggle which followed | easily mas
tered him and had him pinioned, white
aaI painting do not add another
murder ! said fiercely, Ito that of
Dick ramsey"
'llow do YOU know" he whispered
~ recognized your hand upon the
V.r. | was the agent at the next sta
uon when you-tooE Dicks place-you
telrmbpr-hve years ago-today."
'ua God ycs," he cried. "Shall |
ever forget: When | had TO come to
'- cursed place to live, ! thought it
might disappear after awhile But it
grows stronger every day ! live with
D. s"e il, hear it-that poor fellow-all
'.. time, Yet l had to do it or be kill
," There was a gang of us. oh, OH
L. -a and breaking down utterly,
III. proud president of the road buried
Oh, Hra 100 his hands
'' Nas strange scene. we two there
.- We moonlight accuser and accused.
t- trembling. | revcngefui.