The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-07-04
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
s THE RED SIGNAL ;
, By YRS. CLARA DOTY BATES. ,
. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

we got news of a wreck and I've got
TO go down with a clicker."
But, Robert, was going to have hot
mullins, and they're not light yet.
You're two hours early"
give me piece of bread, then, and
some cold meat. I'm sorry for the
mullins, but l can't wait"
I'm sorry, too" said Mrs. Douf las,
rising and laying aside her knitting.
II had planned ham and eggs besides"
TOO bad; but the boys will be ready
In half an hour, and l must be on
hand. Ughl"
And he shrugged his shoulders, as if
in anticipation of the cold, hard task
before him, as he followed his mother
from the cozy sitting-room into the
pantry.
give me whatever there is ready"
he said, land I'll put crust in my
pocket. We may be out pretty much all
night"
what was the accident ?" she asked,
moving back and forth as she placed
the things upon the table.
"A broken axle and a big freight gone
to smash. It's in bad place, too, down
In the Thread valley, where the road is
very crooked
I'm afraid it's going to snow"
II know it is-it's showing already.
But you know it grows warmer when it
begins to snow"
mot with a northeast wind like
this"
Don't you worry, mother. I'll wrap
up well, and I'm tough as Lear" he
said, laughing gayly.
His rudy face, clear eyes and wiry
figure bore out his assertion. But it
was quite as much his CHEEKY courage
that gave him strength as it was hard
ness of muscle or stoutness of frame.
I'll make you good cup of tea, Rob
ert," said Mrs. Douglas, as he sat down
to what seemed to her a cherries meal,
o cup of tea being to her the very es-
sence of comfort.
"Oh. never mind; this Is all right"
he answered, heartily, as he helped him
self with the eager and undiscriminat-
ing appetite of youth.
But in a few minutes a steaming and
fragrant cup was beside his plate.
Don't be anxious If I'm not back
till morning" he said. "I'll ask Tom
Carpenter to stop in on his way home
to give you the latest news. Good-by,
mother" as he rose from his chair to
60. Cook yourself q good supper, and
have Anna ODDS come and stay with
you, so you won't be lonesome"
Mrs. Douglas watched his free, young
step as he went down the walk to the
railway station, which was very near,
and In full sight.
NO mother has better boy" she
said to herself, as she wiped the tears
that were sure to fill her eyes whenever
Robert left her for more than his usual
daily absence.
The house where Robert and his
mother lived was very humble, yet
cozy, clean and attractive. His small
wages as an assistant telegraph operar
tor was all they had to live upon, but
his mothers prudence and his steady
industry made that sufficient for their
unpretentious wants.
When Robert got to the station, he
found the wrecking train about to
start. He was TO open and operate an
additional telegraph office at or near
the scene of the disaster for the pur-
pose of working trains past the OBJ
struction.
The accident had happened IT miles
or more away, at a point where the
road followed the tortuous winding of
the river Thread. The bluffs along
the line there were very steep, and
there were several bridges across the
noisy and turbulent little stream. There
could hardly have been q worse place
for an accident as the approaches
either way were around sharp curves.
When the rescue train, with Its pom
derous appliances for hosting and pry-
ing and lifting, had reached the spot,
it was Roberts duty TO climb tele-
graph pole, make the necessary attach
ments with wires and stamps, and to
establish his Office at it's foot.
He improvised a rude shelter with
some rails and blanket, made chair
for himself with few stones heaped to-
gether, set up his instrument, and was
ready for duty.
1t was Saturday night, and but few
trains except the regular night ex-
press were running.
The road had double track along
that division, and the disabled freight
was on the right hand, or the one taken
by the down trains, while the relief cars
were on the up track. When one of the
up trains was due, this one would
switch off and let it pass.
Robert Kept up communication with
the nearest stations at either hand,
and the work of opening the road went
on very satisfactorily.
1t promised to be less difficult than
had been at first apprehended, and 1t
began to look as If by midnight both
lines would be clear.
A snowstorm had set in with blind
Ing fury. The men who were actively
at work did not mind 1t so much; but
Robert, seated at his industrious little
instrument, seemed likely TO be bur-
led under the weight of the damp, heav-
tly-falling fakes.
The night express was due at one