The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-12-12
Ole Danger Signal.
From the German of Joseph Siklosy:

From the German OF Joseph SiklOsy:
~HE rain was pouring in streams
down upon the pitch-darl
plain. A dull rumbling which
d grew weaker every moment
was heard in the distance, and
three glowing red points were still
visible. They belonged to a train which
had just rushed past the watchman's
house, and also had left behind it the
nearest fiag-station, where the red light
was still Pickering.
The Waterman, who, enve1oped in his
heavy overcoat, was still standing out
side, turned the heavy mechanism of
the bars and busted himself with his
s1gnal-pole. For a few minutes the
REQ danger signal disappeared, and
froso the nearby fag-station also the
soft white light sent it's beams into
the fog.y nigh:.
The track was clear No train was
due for two whole hours; and the
Waterman was FREQ to go into his
house and snatch short and much
needed rest. Heavy with fatigue, he
was staggering toward the door when
no suddenly perceived a light ap-
preaching. It was car pushed by six
men, on which a foreman was sit
ting with a colored lantern in his
hand.
''The old man has caught the in
spection fever again." the foreman ex-
planned. HE probably could not so to
sleep, and has come out to distract
himself. If the weather isn't too much
for him he may be at our heels with
n1 cfo ct
has sent us to clear the discarded rails
from the track. Our orders are to
have them all at the station before the
mail-express is due. BY the way, have
you heard the news, Reinhardt?"
What news?" the Waterman asked,
phlegmat ically, lighting his pipe.
"Stein, the train wrecker, is loose
again. Well the manacles he has won
for five years on account of you have
probably cured him of the habit Of i'm.
posing on freight trains and stealing
merchandise. But they would have
done better not to let him out so soon.
Who knows"
The conversation was interrupted by
one of the men. who announced that
the rails had been loaded on the car.
'tThen we'll go on" the foreman said
Good night, Reinhardt. Better keep
one ear open, for, as I said it is quite
possible that the old man is at our
heels And look out for Stein. He
isn't likely to love you for his five
years
The Waterman did not reply, but took
his lantern ana went into the house.
Passing through the little kitchen. he
entered ION tip toe) his only living
room.
His wife, however, must have heard
him, for she, yawning and rubbing her
eyes, august, you might go to bed and
let me take your place. I have had
enough Sleep
you stay where you are, Anna. The
superintendent does not like to see
women at the bars, and, as Fink just
said it is quite possible that the old
man vii! go over his division in lev
err car tonight"
At that moment there was a vio-
lent pounding on the outside. door.
''What did I tell you? Here he is
already"
The woman hurriedly got into her
clothes; the Waterman laid down his
pipe, seized his lantern, and went to
open the door. -Four men stepped into
the kitchen, and, pushing the watch
man before them, entered the living
room.
The wife gave q scream of terror
and the Waterman drew back in alarm
The intruders wore masks, and carried
rifles under their cloaks. They were
not the division superintendent and his
assistants, but robbers.
The Waterman sprang to the wall, to
take down his gun; but six arms seized
him in an iron clasp.
Don't trouble YOURSELF Reinhardt,
my boy. We are in the ma jority,' the
leader remarked.
'Steln!' the Waterman cried, trying
to free himself with a superhuman ef-
fort. What do you want?"
You will know very soon. If you be-
have well we'll make you partner in
our business. Stop, woman!"
The villain sprang upon Mrs Rein
hardt, who haul snatched her husbands
weapon from the wall He wrune the
gun from her hands. threw it into a
corner and began to wrestle with the
woman. At last she lay on the floor.
bound hand ard foot.
Nov I'll tell you what our purpose
's, friend Reinl.ardt," the rascal began,
I'VE are up to a fat job, and though Won
got me locked up for five years YOU
shall have yo,n' honest share of tho
profits. In an hour the mail-express
is to pass this crossing It must NOT
pass. Do you understand, comrade?,
The woman on the floor gave a 1oud