Montana oil and mining journal., 1935-11-23


pot-bellied coal stove situated about
midway between the two bay windows
In accordance with the usual plan oa
such stations, the office opened into the
waiting room in front and, by three Oh
four wooden steps, and common small
door into that monStrous ghostly ware
room which occupied the entire north
ern two-thirds of the building.
In addition to being awakened by my
call, during cold weather I was often
awakened by chilliness. Sleepily then
would get up and replenish the big
stove, soon TO return to my slumbers.
During the blacklist hours Of a wintry
night, with a terrific blizzard raging
across Silver Bow flat, thought was
tap looking for the poker with which TO
sAiK 10 she fire. Bat s0zmahow couldn't
find the cussed thing IN socks and
underwear only, gradually I realized
that was feagfuIy cold. Suddenly
then discovered thai was in the
dark. always kept q bracket lamp
burning over the telegraph desk at
night. Obviously the lamp had gone
out. could not even see my hand be-
fore my face. But why had the lamp
gone out, and why was ] so desperately
ehilled2 During q stunned moment
=
Then came panic.
Good gosh -a-mightyl" whispered.
Robbers have drugged me. and dump
ed me here 10 freeze to death, and are
going through the safe. B-but-b-but I
feel no wind. Where In the world am
m Um-m-m I've got t. move or f-f-f-
freeze G. d-ueath."
/ Cingerly / began to walk, and soon
sod F1aC m q
o1 some kind. Fearing that was on
the platform in the lee Of the building.
I walked carefully lest fall off the
high structure and land crumpled on
the rails While all the time feeling
for the edge Of the platform, walked
and walked But found no edge.
zhexe seemed 10 be no end to that
nlahfnwTn. In heavens name, what
could be the meaning of 1t all2 Shaking
violently ct length stopped and in
voluntarily looked upward in hope OF
seeing q star or two. just why did
shis do not know. On such q terrific
night could not hope to see star
on even moon, had there been one.
Yet did see very faint glimmer Of
light or thought that did. At length
I dIHCerned the very dim outline ud q
window standing cornerwdse just Ike
We wareroom the only window IN that
desolate enclosed vacant wilderness.
But. I thought, 1t cannot be that vim
low. It's In the wrong direction. Some
how then I had the sense to realize
hat might be turned around. It SEEM
IA utterly impossible.
While keeping my eyes focused on
hat wmvering very faint glimmer, slow
" Z backed away from 1t and soon
InayaA the door TO the office. Next
my tracks IN the powoery
lssesw that had driftAd through numer-
1sSs cracks In the neglected walls Of
.hat niahtfnarish great void showed
.hae r had walked In nearly perfect
,irnle forming a real trail.
Though delighted, my finding the Of
Fine door and regaining my sense OF
direction did not end my trouble. The
door was locked.
sseo. softly chartered, the robbers
sxwawed nae and put me In here, and
oeks@A tbs door inside G0od-g gosh
s~uslnnkyg What am going to dol"
There waa q key ON the Office side
va1lnh i mlwmys turned at night. BUT
ssa@ fxnem kEse office side could thai key
~ ks4azaed Eor me. mt the moment
Iasnk wsmA na0ox that roAheTs were Ia the
ugTsn@ ~ h@6 lately been there.
4A4a,ssessMsasssS& NnfIgaH z WMN MntwHTlX~