The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1911-07-20
HER FIRST
LOVE MESSAGE
By MoLIlE K wETIiERElL
Copyright BY american Press Asso-
citation. 1911


station. not far from the track. and
johnny, In order that be might cha
with her during the lonely evening"
when he was obliged 70 stay at thu
station with but lietie TO do. rugged Z
private wire from the telegraph line
extending along the railroad to Mabel'i
house. introducing Il in AZ her win
dow. Then be put IN ths rest Of the
apparatus. and the two youngsters
could chatter through the keys like
magpies.
The principal time for these CONVEX
safiOns was after Mabel had gone q
Der room and Ostensibly 20 bed. bul
/ really 10 chat with Johnny. her room
was IN an extension where the clicking
Of the key was not likely 10 disturb
any one else IN the house. though no
one objected 10 their dialogues. be-
cause Mabel was supposed TO be citing
herself for a telegraph operator
One evening Johnny bad been talk
ing with Mabel as usual II was a
stormy night aud. being All alone in bis
ONCE and consequently very lonely, be
kept her az the instrument late.
Mabel had been In bed perhaps an
hour when she heard in her sleep the
call that Johnny and she used 10 at
tract each others attention. Some
time was required for her TO wake up.
and when she did she heard the ma
chine clicking. She began 70 read In
the middle Of a sentence:
Hes gone around 70 the other door.
I've locked Il. but be can smash a
window easily. Therel He's getting
IN aud coming for me"
There was a brief luIl. during which
Mabel. who By this time was wide
awake. waited. fearing that she would
bear no more. Il was evident that
robber had broken into the station Il
occurred 20 her that the FIRST thing
be would do would be to order Johnny
away from the instrument that be
might not be able 10 give the alarm
She was therefore surprised when the
clicking began again.
"Tde has ordered me 10 keep on work
ing the key. covering me with bis re-
volYer He says the minute ! stop
working Il be win put a hole IN my
head I see his object He knows
there Is no station near enough for me
TO send word and get assistance be-
fore he has finished what be has to
do. and while using the key my right
hand Is employed 80 that can't at
tack OF shoot him. I can bear him go
ing toward the safe. which be can do
without risk 30 long as be hears the
clicking Of my key"
There followed q few seconds OF
silence. during which Mabel held her
breath. and when the sounds recon-
menced they dld not mean anything.
Doubtless the robber had turned and
ordered Johnny TO keep on. Mabel ran
70 her brothers room. awakened him
and told him what was going on at
the station. Henry Town got out Of
bed. dressed himself as quickly as pos
sible. put a revolver IN bis pocket and
a ride on bis shoulder and started FOR
the station Meanwhile Mabel went
back 10 the telegraph instrument and
when the clicking ceased for a few
moments began to tell Johnny what
she had done aud that Der brother was
coming Il required some time for Der
20 get the message through. for every |
time Johnny stopped the robber, who
was working az the safe lock. turned |
and ordered him to proceed But
Johnny managed to hear a few words. /
such as coming and courage" and /
knew that be was 20 be relieved. But
the man would succeed In
opening the safe before some one came
10 stop him was a question. he was
evidently a slillful cracksman. the safe
was a very ordinary one. and be acted
rs II he counted on getting Il opened
before assistance could arrive. He
drilled a hole IN the lock and began to
work the tumblers.
he had not been engaged more than
twenty minutes when Johnny. facing
he window as be did. saw q figure
iimly looming up in the darkness
without He was 80 agitnted that be
.eased to work the key. The robber
urned and sent a bullet close TO bis
ar. AT first Johnny thought the shot
lad been 6red at the figure without.
,ut an order 20 $50 on" convinced
Tim Of his mistake.
The burglar again turned his back
md recommended his work. Then
here were sounds Of dropping tum.
Hers. and Johnny heard the safe door
Iulled open. At the same moment
here was -crack" at the window.
caving a small hole. Something
Iropped behind Johnny. and. turning
Ie saw the robber lying on the floor.
Hood oozing from a hole IN bis head.
Springing to the window. be IN
ocked Il, and Henry Town stepped
nto the room.
The orst thing Johnny did was to
lick the news to Mabel. and tho re-
~ was the FIRST message embodying
)ve that passed between them.
II happened that Johnny had consld-
rable cash IN the safe. which be In
ended to send IN the next morning. s
his the robber doubtless knew. The
act OF 80 much money being saved
trough Mabel disposed the company
, llberality. and they sent her q
andsome check. A year later. when
be and Johnny were married. they ,
- ...aK-~ ...aET4.a a.an.a..a /