Evening star., 1928-03-21
WORLD FAMOUS STORIES
BY CHARLES DICKENS.
THE SICNAL.MAN

lcharles Dickens. .1s12-ls7o. has been
called the father of the modern novel.
David Copperaeid," etc. But the pres
ent Ehostly yarn shows his ability with
the short story
The signal-man on the railroad. in
a deep cut between high walls OF damp
rock. at first did not see me when
called down TO him: "Halloal Below
therel" When he finally looked up he
seemed frightened asked him IL ]
could come down where he was. just
then q train rushed out Of the tunnel
and through the cut. sending dust and
smoke I'D around me. Then the man
showed now I could 60 down. by a
winding path.
I finally got down. and told him I
came to call merely out Of curiosity. 1t
was q deep cutting. and visitors were
rare. supposed, though rather welcome
perhaps.
But the man looked hard at the red
light near the mouth of the tunnel and
back at me "You act" I said, "as II
you had seen me before"
Il thought I had" he said.
''wnere?"
He pointed to the mouth Of the tun-
mel and the red light
impossible" said. II was never
there In my life"
He cleared up at that. and we chat
ted about his work. 1t was not so bad
being alone. he said. He worked at
mathematical problems. and. being al
ways on the alert for the bell warning
or calling him to the wire, he was kept
busy. He had a nice little coy room in
what he called his box, where he stay
ed. In the discharge Of his duties OBJ
served him TO be remarkably exact and
vigilant. breaking of his discourse at
a syllable, and remaining client until
what he had TO do was done.
But twice he looked at the bell when
1t did not ring, and opened the door to
look out at the red light near the tun-
mel. I could not understand 1t. But
when left, said: "You are content
ed man, II ever saw one"
4 used to be-" said he, "but now
a.U troubled, very much indeed"
with what?" asked quickly.
"It is hard TO tell-but IL you come
again"
/ Immediately arranged for another
visit-at ii the next night. Then he
told me his story.
One moonlight night he had heard a
voice cry: ''Hallozl Below ere!"--and
that is why / had startled him that
other day when ! used those same
words. He looked out and saw some one
standing near the mouth OF the tun-
mel. CRYING: Look outI Look out!" He
caught up his lamp and ran toward the
figure. but as he got close 10 II IL dis
appeared. 1t did not 60 into the tun-
mel, for he ran on in 10 see.
Then he telegTaphed that he had re-
ceiYed an alarm Of danger--but from
both directions the answer came back
that all was well. II was all very well
70 talk OF imagination. and all that
but just six hours after this experience
the famous accident occurred on that
part Of the railroad. and within IL
hours the dead and injured were
brought along through the tunnel over
the spot where that apparition had
stood.
It was certainly a coincidence.
agreed. but nothing more. Yet he mac
more 10 tell. That first time was year
| ago Six or seven months later he wa
standing at the door Of his box and saw
| the gpecter again. This time It was ST.
| lent. II was leaning before the red light
with its hands over lis face. ~ though
| mourning. That same day train came
out Of the tunnel, and stopped. A beau
ttful young lady had just passed away
| on hoard.
Nor was this all. The specter had
| returned-just q week ago. II had beer
| there ever since. he said. by fits Arlc
| starts. at the red danger light. II seem.
| ed 10 wave It's arms with an expression
| Of "FoT Gods sake, clear the ways" Hs
/ could not understand lit worried
him He could not telegraph DANCE
| without telling where 1t was. or why hi
! thought there wss danger. II 1t was q
/ warning. why wasn't the specter more
1 definite?
! II l telegTsphsd danger on eitheI
! side III me, or Oh both, ! can give ~
/ reason for It," he said. Il should ge
| into trouble. and DO no good. They w0ulG
! think was mad. This Is the way 4
/, wound work Message 'Dangerl Takt
| care Answer What danger Where?
Message: Don't know But, for God