Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-20

building. Further away beyond the
shadow of the porch were visible the
lights of the sleeping town, seen dimly
in the bright moonli~ht
The handsome furniture which the
room had probably once contained,
had been long since displaced by the
rude telegraph equipment and the
heavy plaster cornices and holdings
were sadly married by telegraph wires
which ran down the walls to the
tables, rough pine affairs, which car
ried the instruments. There were two
OF these tables, each with telegraph
key at either end. One OF them stood
near the center of the room. and tho
other up against the fine old marble
mantel, Clipped, battered, ruined like
| the rest of the room. For the rest the
| apartment contained desk, shelves
with the batteries on them, and half a
dozen chairs Of the commonest and
cheapest variety. The floor was bare,
dusty, and tobacco stained. The sole
remnant Of the ancient glory Of the
room was large handsome old clock
on the wall above the mantel, the
hands Of which pointed to the hour Of
| ten.
But If the room itself was In a
dingy and even dirty condition, the
occupants were very much alive. One
young man, Lieutenant Allison, sat at
the table under the clock, and another,
Lieutenant Foray, at the table in the
center Of the room. Both we're busy
sending or receiving messages. The
instruments kept up continuous
clicking heard distinctly above the
buzz Of conversation which came from
half dozen youngsters, scarcely more
than boys, grouped together at the op-
posite side of the room, waiting to
take to the various Offices of the de-
partment, or to the several officials of
the government, the messages which
were constantly being handed out to
them by the two military operators.
In the midst Of this busy activity
there came the noise of drums, family
at first. but presently growing clearer
and louder, while the tramp of many
feet sounded in the street below.
Whats that" asked one messen-
ger Of the other.
81 don't know" was the answer
troops of some kind. I'll look out
and see.'
He stepped to one Of the long win
dows, opened it, and went out on the
balcony. The other young fellows
clustered at his back or reered through
the other windows.
TITS the Richmond Grays," said the
observer outside.
There was an outburst Of exclama-
tons from the room, except from the
, operators. who had no time to spare
, from their work.
Yes. that's what they are. You can
, see their uniforms. They must be
, sending them down to the lines at
Petersburg" said another.
, We'll, don't believe they would
send the Grays out unless there was
something going on tonight" OBJ
served a third
' Tonight why, by heavens, It's as
. quiet as a tomb" broke in fourth.
, Il don't hear a sound from the front"
! that's probably what's worrying
A them. II Is 30 damn unusual" re-
q luTuGu luc uTbI ucbocu6ci.
, Things have come to a pretty pass
a if tho grandfathers Of the home
q guard have got to go to the 'front.'" re-
marked another.
a Following in the footsteps Of their
q grandsons" said the first. II wish
), could go. l hate this business OF car
D rying kilograms and"
Messenger here!" cried Lieutenant
a. Foray, folding up message and in
g sorting it in its envelope.
The nearest youngster detached him
/. self from the group while all Of them
!. turned away from the windows
stepped to the side Of the officer, and
!, saluted.
q WAR department" said Foray terse
/. ly. Tell the secretary it's from Gen
q eral Lee, and here's a duplicate which
you are to give to the president"
!. Very good. sir" said the messen
q ger. taking the message and turning
I. away.
i AS he passed out Of the door, an or
derby entered the room. stepped to the
side of Lieutenant Foray, the senior
Of the two officers on duty, clicked his
heels together and saluted.
"Secretary's compliments. sir. and
q ne wants to know II there is anything
t from General Lee" he said.
y my compliments to the secretary.
l. returned the lieutenant '1 have JUS
,. sent a message to his ONCE with 9
u duplicate for the president"
d THE presidents with the cabine,
g yet sir" returned the orderly. "He
1. didn't go home. The secretary's there
g too. They want an operator right quick
to take down some cipher kilograms.
4 Lieutenant Foray looked over to hi,
subordinate.
| SCOT anything on. Charlie" h.
called out
Not right now" answered Lieuten
ant Allison.
We'll, go over with the orderly t.
the cabinet room and take down theil
ciphers. Hurry back though" sai(
| Foray as Allison slipped on his coat
both officers had been working In theil
| shirt sleeves-"we need you here. W.
are 80 shorthanded in the office nov
that don't know how we are going t.
get through tonight. l can't handle
four instruments, and"
II Il will do my best" said Allison
Y cunning away rapidly.