The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-09-11
Trains That Pass
In the Night
By C. CLAYTON BROWN
, ann, +, r,
By C. CLAYTON BROWN
Copyright, 1908, bv C. C. Brotpn

90 OOo . . OSOoeoeo
~ OMERVILLE, being only day
office, was usually closed for the
night promptly at o'clock. But
at II o'clock one exceptionally
cold night early in December the fire
light from the little Office stove re-
yealed two youthful forms huddled
close to it's grateful warmth and ear
nestly engaged in whispered conversa-
ton.
The little building which served as a
station for the X. B. and w. railroad
at Somerville also afforded accommo-
dation for residence in It's upper sto-
~ and was occupied by the family of
Silas Carver, the station agent. The
their daughter Nellie, an extremely
pretty girl about sixteen years of age.
Somerville was an unimportant sta
ton, and the salary attached to its
agency was so small that in the win
ter season Silas used to add few dol
lars to his scanty income by the sale
of chest protectors to hapless travellers.
BY frequently reciting the merits Of
the protectors Silas had convinced him.
self that it was simply foolhardy not
to wear them in cold weather and. in
sisted upon his wife and daughter
wearing them throughout the winter.
Some four years before Ned Mars
den, orphaned and homeless at fifteen
years of age, had been taken In by ST.
IL, hnI, T.
proved himself bright, ambitious boy
and had acquired so thorough knowl-
edge of telegraphy that he had. upon
Silas' recommendation, been appointed
night operator at Litchfeld, seven
miles north of Somerville.
There he at first gave promise Of rap
i'd advancement; but, unfortunately, he
had become hopelessly enamored Of
pretty Nellie Carver, and Nellie had be-
come more than interested in him. So
he soon began to spend most Of his
days in her society at Somerville. for.
feitfng the sleep so essential for sat
tsfactory performance Of his duties at
night, and in consequence rendered the
company Indifferent service. He had
finally been discharged.
Silas, having recommended him 50
highly, regarded this az personal af-
front and had upbraided him unspar-
ingly and also laid strict injunction
upon Nellie to have nothing more to do
with him.
1t Immediately became necessary for
Ned to seek position elsewhere, but
to leave without seeing Nellie was not
to be thought of. His familiarity with
the habits of the Carvers suggested to
him the ease with which a meeting
might be arranged IL she would admit
asleep. TO this Nellie had consented,
though with much misgiving. for she
was not given to deceit of any kind.
"Oh, Ned" she whispered, you
shouldn't have asked me to do this!
What would father say If he knew it?"
~ know it, Nell" replied the boy,
"but Pm going away tomorrow. per-
haps forever, and couldn't go without
seeing you. He'll never know it any
way"
Il hope not, I'm sure" said Nellie,
only partially reassured. "But l must
tell mother. have never deceived her
before, and l do feel so guilty"
"All right. You may tell mother. and
just give her this from me-" answered
he, at the same time pressing boyish
kiss upon her half resisting lips.
stop, Ned! Do stop! Tell me all
about yourself, where you are going
and why. Oh, what is the matter?" she
concluded, for Ned had suddenly leaped
to the table on which the telegraph in
strument was busily ticking.
Ssh! Just a minute" he cautioned
and listened eagerly to the clicking in
strument. Suddenly he exclaimed in a
horror stricken voice: "Great heavens,
Nell, the operator at Denis failed to de-
liver an order to the limited to meet
the southern express here! Both think
they have right of track and are sure
to collide if something isn't done to
prevent it. The train dispatcher Is
frantic. Listen! He's calling Somer-
vile now, hoping to find 81 awake. He
might rs well be calling somebody In
a graveyard for all the good it II do
kim"
'Why, no, Ned! You can answer him.
Do! See what he wants"
mot much," replied Ned grimly.
"That's Sam Smithers, the dispatcher
who reported Inc for being fresh one
night because when was half asleep
/ gave him the same number on three
different engines. and when he said
All engines look alike to you, guess,
told him, NO; there's one out there
in the sawmill that looks little differ
Ont from the others Let him sweat 1t
out. If did answer him he'd only tell
me to do what I'm going to anyway.
Then he'd get all the credit for it."
"Wh-wh-what are we going to do,
Ned?' stammered the frightened girl.
"Do?" returned he scornfully. "Why,
stop them, of course. We want the red
lantern first. Where is it?"
"Oh. it's not here. Ned! Father lent
it to the church people to be used in
decorating the hall for their fair tomor-
row night. You know, this is not q
night office. and We never use It,"
'"That's nice. Never mind. Well take
the white one and wrap the red flag
around it; do just as WELL"
But there is no red fiag! walled the
unhappy girl. "The local ran over II
yesterday. Father ordered another at
once, but it hasn't come yet"
"Well. that beats the DEVIL" exclaim-
ed Ned in disgust-"a railroad office