Year: 1872

Luo LO StttEi db SO OFuludrJ Ill occurrence, I turned from my desk, and again sat down by the fire. But smile as I would, aud reason as might, felt that was fast succumbing to vague foundationless fears. Thinking that the atmosphere of the room, which felt close and hot, might have something to do with my peculiar condition of mind, flung open the door, and stepped outside, in the hope that the cool air might scare away the phantoms of my brain. As crossed the threshold, the midnight express crashed past with speed and force which shook every tim Der of the building, and utterlng loud shriek, disappeared into the tunnel at the end of the steep gradient, on the summit of which my station was placed. When it had gone, there was stiffness, stiffness broken-it can call it broken-only by the peculiar signing of the air passing across the wires, which is heard even in the calmest of nights. I stood and lis- tened to the strange, melancholy, Eolian- harp like sound, now so faint as to be almost inaudible, and anon swelling into wild low waihng. 1 looked up and saw Orion and the Pleiades, and thought how often on nights, not long ago, when I had l gazed up through the tall sombre pines and watched their trembling fires. From that my mind reverted to the earnestness with which my wife had asked me to remain at home that night, and the un- usual pensiveness of her manner when she bade me goodbye. What cc uld be the meaning of it all9 As Q general rule, I had most profound disbelief in omens, presentiments, and all sorts of supersti- tion but in spite of it, I felt that would have given good deal at that time, to be transported just for one minute to my home, to see whether all was we'll there. I might have called up my assistant, who lodged in farmhouse not far distant, and gone home; but as I could give no good reason for going away, resolved to stay where I was, and get through the night as best could. "If this goes on," said ! to myself as turned inside again, and poked up the coals with rather more noise and vigor than was absolutely necessary -'' if this goes on much longer, shall have to consult doctor, that's plain" For knew that the causeless apprehen- sions which experienced were often only the symptoms of an unusual state of bodily health. I filled my pipe and lit it, but the weed had lost it's usual tranquilizing power. As the wreaths curled slowly upwards, saw my wife's face looking at me tearfully as when I had left her. Again the bell rang sharply; but, as before, no intelligible sign was made by the needles. I leaned my elbows on the desk. and, with my head between my hands, watched their intending motions. An hour might hou &hno rrha r startled by the clang of the bell. This time it was louder and more urgent, and, it seemed to me, though perhaps may err here, with 8 peculiar unearthly sound, such as had never heard before. l am utterly unable to tell in what manner the impression was produced, but it seemed as if there mingled with the metallic ring the tone of human voice-and it was the voice of onesI knew. The needles, l now observed, began to make signs which I understood; and slowly, as if some novice were working the instrument, the letters "C-o-m- e" were signqled. No sooner had read off the final "e" than, to my amazement and terror, distinctly saw the handle of my instrument, although l was not touching it at the time, as ii grasped by some invisible hand, move rapidly, and make the signal "Under- stood," which the receiver of message transmits at the end of every word.

 . A cold thrill ran through me, and felt as if every drop of blood were leaving my heart. o uld have been the subject of an optical delusion9 I knew that such was not the case, for had plainly heard the click of the handle as it turned, and now l could perceive that another word was being slowly spelt out. But so be- wildered and terrified was I, that I failed to catch the signs. Again my handle moved, and this time made the signal " Not understood" With an overwhelm- ing feeling of awe, watched the dials intently while the letters were again sig naled, and this time I read "H-o-m-e. :" Then there was cessation of all motion for a second or two, and once more the needles resumed their incoherent vibra- tions. I stood petrifed with fear and amazement, half believing that was in 8 dream, for reason refused to accept to the evidence of sense. Could that be mes sage for mel If so. whence came it ? What hand had sent it? Could it be that some power higher than that of nature thus warned me>of impending danger Should I obey the mysterious summons

 While thus deliberated the bell again sounded with a clangor still more loud. imperious and unearthly, and, after few uncertain, movements, the magnets re- peated the words "Come home-come homel" the handles moving as before. I could remain at my post no longer. Come what might, I felt that had no alterna- tive but to obey. Iran to the house where

 the clerk lived, and on rousing the in- mates and gaining admission, told him that he must take my place immediately, as 1 had been suddenly called away. The

 man seemed somewhat surprised at my

 excited and startled manner, but what he

 said or dld l cannot recollect. On enter

 ing the stable where my horse was stalled,

 l perceived saddle hanging on the wall

 and knowing that I could get over the

 ground more swiftly riding than driving,

 1 threw it on his back, and in minute or

 two was dashing along the road in the

 direction of home. I shall never forget

 that ride. Although I urged my horse

 with whip and voice till he flew rather

 than galloped, the pace was far too slow

 for my excited mind. Woods. bridges

 with the moonlit streams sippling beneath

 them, farmhouses where the deep-voiced

 watch dogs were awakened by the loud

 beat of hoofs, shot by me like things in a

 dream and at last, breathless and pant

 ing, we clattered up the long causewayed

 street of the village where I lived. All

 was dark and silent in the houses, and the windows seemed to stare blank and

 vacantly in the bright moonlight. Sud-

 denly horse and rider appeared at the

 other end of the street, with hoarse cry,

 Firel'' At the same instant, the church

 bell was rung violently, and at once, as if

 by common impulse, the whole village

 started into life. Lights appeared in the

 houses, and a hundred windows were

 dashed quickly up. I saw white figures

 standing atthem, and heard voices crying