Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-10-14
By Wireless

. The strike was on. All the teie-
( graph operators in. the small city Of
jerome we're out Of work. and the nom
union men dere not I'll the vacancies.
3 Hal Monson was desperate, for
his wife was slokly, and hfs three
children must be, fed as well. The
outlook for work was dark, and he
decided TO go to Bolton. the nearest
citys apd look for work.
!, This was 2 dangerous venture
should.it become known, but he could
not see HIS family want for food.
One dark. rainy night he told his
wife that II anyone called for him,
to say he had gone hunting, and to be
sure end ask If there was any mes
sage then he bade her "good-by" and
told her not 20 worry II he did net re-
turn for two days
He planned to go throagh a dense
piece Of woods and, II possible. take a
freight train from q way station. He
knew the engineer well. and had
saved him from drowning some years
before, 30 be felt sure of his ride
hhpulu ue aIElVe IN Llme.
After walking about FIVE miles be
heard voices OF men coming nearer
to him. He had only time to step
from the path and behind tree.
when they we're close upon him.
This is what be heard; ''H we cen
only wreck the express it will be a
great stroke. for the officers of the
Telegraph Company are coming to Je-
rome tonight to talk over the strik-
ers If possible" His companion said.
I'VE must cut the wires for our own
safety, and II the worst comes we will
burn the main office Of the company,
and as we have a busy night we had
better be moving faster"
Hal was Mortified at their plans
and resolved to get that tpain II II
took the last bit Of strength he had.
After a great many falls and him
ORANGES by running into trees In the
dark. at last he came to where he
could make better progress, although
his boots were heavy with the water
IN them.
At times 1t seemed an impossibility
10 ever reach the station, but when
he thought Of the lives that were
jeopardized and what the alternative
would be. he renewed his efforts and
stumbled on. till at last the goal was
In sight
Footsore and almost exhausted he
reached the door OF the station, and,
leaning against 1t. he., listened for
sounds OF the train. None came and
he felt all was over No He would
Try and get a message through; It
might not be too late after all.
As the door was locked he went be-
hind the building. and finding a box
he. managed to MONT Il and climb in
over transom that had been left
open. II TOOK but minute to light
the, smoky lamp, and he called one,
two three stations without any re-
spence. At last an inquiry, What do
you .want?" Joy-he was in ttnel
Click. click, click went the key as
fast as his weak fingers could drive
1T aud this ls what he sent:
danger; stop e-buzz-buzE-"
What? Was the wire cut? He tried
many times. but no answer came.
Alas. he had failed again He grew
faint and dizzy at the thought and
must do something. so wrote on tele-
graph blank. Danger; stop express;
wires cut: help needed In Jerome"
then putting 1t in his pocket he stag
gered TO the door. opened 1t and sank
ina faint:
The. freight, a half hour late. came
slowly into the station and stopped.
The engineer, Bill Graves, came over
to the platform. and seeing Hal spoke
to him, and getting no reply. threw
tho light from his lantern on his face.
and was startled 90 llnd his old friend
there at such an hour ana uncon-
scious,
He went inside aud found some
ammonia, which he used TO revive
Hal.
AS Hal opehedNnis eyes. Bill said;
Seen a ghost. Hal. old fellow?"
oh Bill. is II you. and will you
help me save them?"
Sure l Will, speak up, man"
Hal sat up and said. I'VE must hur-
ry. Detaeh the engine and take me-
TO Bolton st once with you"
Come on: I'm ready" and to the
brakeman he said; Display danger
signals untA return"
In hve minutes they were speeding
as never train had been run over that
crooked road before. On. on. on.
Would the end ever be reachedf
Would they be in time? The sus-
pense was growing UNDESIRABLE and
Hal was straining every nerve to keep
up his courage.
At last Bolton was reached, and
before the engine had come TO halt
Hal was of and. painting. ran up the
street, and seeing a horse tied to a
post. he cut the strap and. mounting
him, went racing up 70 the main tele-
graph Office and startled the sleepy
operator as he burst into the room
and. handing him the paper he had
written on, he gasped. "By-wire-
less'-and sank exhausted TO the ioor.
When the express arrived In Je-
rome, headed by Wreckipg train. a
load OF armed men took possession OF
Jerome and the strike was ended.
Hal MonsOn was rewarded by the
Telegraph Company and he never had
to worry about his family being pro
vided for. His hunting brought rich
game. and the wireless" saved the