in a Signal Tower, j
Copyright, 1WS, br American Press Ass,
elation.
Ten years ngo 1 was employed In
a signal block tower on a railroad.
Thcso towers nro used to operato tho
levers controlling tho semaphores which
direct tho engineers of passing trains.
They are raised high above tho tracks,
and thoso located out In a sparsely set
tied country aro lonely places. At that
time some of the towers were worked
by women, and I was one of thesa
women. Indeed, I was a girl of twenty.
My duties were not onerous. I had
tlmo for sewing or fancy work or mu
sic, tho latter of which 1 was very
fond. I had tho night watch, and I
nnd my colleaguo of the day watch
kept our quarters In spick and span
condition, with plants In tho windows
Indeed, everything to mako tho place
homellko.
Our tower was somo dlstanco from
any house, but I was never lonely or
afraid, for at tho .approach of danger
I could lock myself In, and with arms
and ammunition tho place had great
advantages for defense. But I never
thought of defending myself, for I
could boo no reason why I should bo
attacked.
Ono evening shortly beforo dark I
was singing, accompanying myself on
my guitar. I did not hear a footstep
ascending, and suddenly, looking back
of me, I saw a man standing In tho
room. JIo was quite respectably dress
cd, but there was something In his
face I did not like. Bowing to me
deferentially, he said:
"Pardon ino for this Intrusion. I
heard the music and wns surprised
that It should come from a railroad
watch tower. I am very fond ol
music, and your voice Is delicious.
Would you mind my sitting here," tnk
lug n seat, "while you sing?"
T wns not deceived by his smooth
ton-rue. but what could I do? I must
moot deception by dweptlon. I ap
peared fluttered by his approval nnd
continued my singing, though with n
trembling volco. Tho song was "In
tho Gloaming." It was very appro
priate, but I was not thinking of tho
gloaming. I was thinking how I might
outwit some uefarlous schcrao I was
suro the man h?.d In view. It occurred
to mo to play Miss Simplicity. As soon
rb I had finished the song I began to
talk about music,, how I doted on It
nnd how I felt nn Immediate liking for
any one who loved it., But tho man
Boon turned tho subject to my work,
asking mo all manner of questions
with regard to It tho lovers, tho sema
phores and how I threw tho trains
on to tho right track.
I judged from this that he was there
rather with some object In view con
nected with tho railroad than myself
personally. I mado it appear that 1
trae pleased to tell him what ho wished
to fcnow and talked raccusnntlr In or
flor that I might fecep him on that sub
ject, hoping to stavo off any intentions
ho might havo with regard to mo.
"Now, supposo," ho said, "a train
should como along. What's tho next
train?"
"Tho Bentford express."
"Well, you wish to put it on tho
right track. What do" you do?"
"I pull this lover."
"And If you wished It to take the
right hand track of tho Y, a short dls
tanco up tho track, what would you
do?"
"I would pull this lover," putting my
hand on nnotuor.
"ITm. It's very Interesting. What n
elmplo system when you onco know
It"
"Very."
no looked nt tho clock, rather nerv
ously, I thought, and listened. Thcro
was a dlstaat rattlo of a train.
"Is that tho express?" ho asked.
"I havo no doubt It Is."
Tho expression on his faco began to
change. Tho Interested look ho had
thus far worn gavo place to one of res
olution. Ho walked back and forth,
and I Baw him put his hand to his hip.
I was satisfied that this was to mako
suro his weapon was In Its proper
place, though I did not see why he
needed It for a girl llko me. Tcrhaps
ho was going to shoot tho engineer.
When tho train came within a short
distance of tho tower I stepped to tho
levers and put my hand on ono of them.
My visitor stooped, evidently so ns not
to bo scon from below.
"Not that," ho said from behind; "not
that ono; the other. Throw the train
on tho right hand track of the Y."
I heard a click and, looking back,
paw tho muzzle of a revolver pointing
at me. I pulled the lover he ordered
mo to pull, and the train Went thunder
ing by.
Taking a pair of nippers from his
twioi-nf tin. man cut the wires connect
ing my telegraph Instrument with the
mnin linn nnd. taking a piece of tho
him. ran out and hurried
down the stairs. I locked the door and.
the window, looked out.
Ho wns running after tho train. He
turned nnd said:
"Goodby. sweetheart. You sing like
o nlrliHnrnln."
Ah booh as he was out of sight I fell
on tho floor In n dead faint. Then,
coming to myself. I got up nnd, weak
s I wns, danced. When ho had asked
mo how to throw the train on to tho
wrong course I had told him tho way
to put it on tho right ono.
I was called on tho wire from an
other Btntlon and, not replying, a mes
senger was coon sent to learn tho
cnuso of my Bllence. Since there was
no damage done, the missing wire wns
' tho only confirmation of my story. It
was enough, and I received n liberal
reward. My visitor's Intention was
never explained. It waH doubtless In
tended to wreck thb train arid rob It.
A Merry Christmas
to All
DIXON, The Jeweler.
Ralph Graham left Inst night for a
visit with friends at Albion. Neb.
Mr. nnd Mrs. W. T. Miller, of Her-
shey, were visitors in town yesterday.
Tho Bridge Whist Club will meet
Monday ovening with MissNellioBrntt.
Frank McGovcrn goes to Denver to
night to spend Christmas with his par
ents, i
T. T. Keliher, of Cheyenne, came
down last night nnd will spend 'Christ
mas in town.
Miss Lela Dunn, who is teaching
school at Moorefield, is homo spending
tho holiday vacation.
For Rent Furnished room in furnace
heated house. Mrs. Annie Church,
west Fourth street.
Mrs. Fred Rasmussen came down
from Ogolalla this morning to spend
Christmas with her parents.
A marriage license wns issued Wed
nesday to G. W. Mclntire nnd Miss
Emma Oppedahl, both of Sutherland.
Over twenty thousand Ceristmas
post cards havo been sold nt Rinckcr's
Book storo sinco tho Christmas buying
began.
Wanted A girl for general house
work. Mns. W. V. HOAGLANI).
Mr. Silver, who has been conducting
tho special sale for Sam Richards,
lenves Sunday for Oklahoma, whero ho
will put on a sale.
F. A. Stroup reports tho salo of
$78,000 worth of real estate to the
pnrty of land seekers taken up tho
Platto valley by the Payno people Wednesday.
Weather .forecast: Fair tonight and
tomorrow: Maximum temperaturo yes
terday 51, ono year ago 42; minimun
this morning 23, ono year ago 21.
The room in the Ilinman block south
of Johnson's racket store has been
rented to a Mr. Cunningham, lato of
Pierre, S. Dak., who, wo aro told will
engage in tho grocery business.
A. D. Calkins, of Lincoln, is in town
for the purpose of looking over the
hotel situation. Ho' is an experienced
hotel man, and is inclined to bclicvo
that a modern hotel In North Platto
would prove a paying proposition.
The reports from tho first of tho ex
aminations in tho Normal Training
courso of tho city schools is received
and shows that every member of tho
class has passed theso examinations with
credit. There nro sixteen girls taking the
Normal Training courso this year.
$100 per acre
will buy 5 and 10 acre tracts
ten blocks southeast of court
house. For Sale by Wm. E.
Shuman.
i Mr. nnd Mrs. L. I. Tucker went to
Roscoo this morning to spend Christ
mas with relntives.
Mail train No. 9 last evening had
nine cars, and wns sent out of this ter
minal with two engines.
Fred Hnnlon, U. P. watchman nt
Columbus, come homo yesterday to
spend Christmas with his family.
Ed Ewell, of Grand Island, was in
town yesterday. Ho had been nt Hor
shoy clonning up tho sugar beet bul
ness. On account of tho busy times during
tho holidays, tho W. C. T. U. union
will bo rostponed until next regular
meeting day
Charloy Reynolds, who is attending
a business college nt Quincy, III., ur
rived homo last night to spend tho lioli
day vacation.
Miss Graco Anderson of this city,
nnd Walter C. Wilson, of Nichols pre
cinct, wcro united in mnrrlngo last
evening at tho homo of the bride in this
city. The bride has been a North
Platto resident sinco childhood and of
late years has been ono of tho populnr
teachers of the rural schools, having this
fall boon employed in tho Platte valley
school in Nichols precinct. Tho groom
is n well known young man of that pre
cinct. Professor Frank H. Hall, of Aurora,
III., has been invited jointly by the
Board of Education and tho County
Superintendent, to visit North Platte
somo time in February. Professor Hall
is the author of a number of stnndard
text books in uso in schools, tho Hall
Arithmetics in use in the city schools
being nmong his latest works. It is de
sired that he spend some time in tho
rooms of tho city schools inspecting tho
work Jin arithmetic nnd advising tho
teachers as to the proper use of his
toxU. Then it is proposed to havo
him address tho teachers of the county
on the following 'day. Patrons of tho
schools Interested in the subject of
arithmetic will be given a chance of
talking with Dr. Hall and getting his
views of arithmetic instruction.
Sinco acquiring control of tho Colo
rado & Southern ns nn adequate gulf
outlet to his big trunk lines, James J.
Hill is said to ho contemplating tho
Harrimun scheme of consolidating his
railroads into one system, witli one
president, for tho purposo of closer
working relations between tho vnrious
lines. This report also contemp ntes
tho appointment of George B. Harris,
now president of the Burlington, ns
president of tho allied Hill lines; Darius
Miller, first vice-president in charge of
traffic, and Daniel Willard, second vice
president, in charge of operation. Tho
information further is that tho general
headquarters of tho Hill system will bo
in Chicago.
Dissolve Partnership.
Bragg & Schrieber, proprietors of
tho City Meat Market, dissolved
partnership Monday, Mr. Bragg rctir
Ing and Mr. Scriebor continuing tho
buaineis. Mr. Brngg has not vet de
cided whether ho will remain in North
Platte.
Show Wins Match
In tho wrestling match nt tho opera
houso Inst evening Jimmio Show, of
Missouri, who is visiting his brother at
Hershey, won two out of threo falls
with John Dugnn of this city. Snow
won tho first fall in seventeen minutes,
Duggan tho second in two minutes nnd
Show tho third in Bovcn minutes. A
fair sized crowd wns in attendance.
Pool Tournament.
A pool tournament was opened this
week at tho Green parlors with eight
entries. Each man will play seven
games of 100-balI pool. Tho standing
up to last ovening was so follows:
Won Lost Pcrcontngo
Perry Carson 2 0 1000
Perry Sawyer 2 1 6GG
Guy Boy or 3 1 750
Wiley Crane 1 1 500
Hnrry Recso 1 1 500
Harry Hart 1 2 5133
Lctn Bailey 0 2 000
Mussolman 0 2 000
Two gnmes aro played each day, one
in tho afternoon nnd one in tho ovening.
Blankets! Blankets?
Tliero aro still a few of thoso durable
5A horso blankets loft, which will he
sold at a Bucrifico. Como early and get
your pick whilo they last. E. Rlanken
burg s Harness & Hardware Storo.
Dissolution Notice.
Notico is hereby given thnt tho firm
Bragg & Schrieber has this day been
dissolved by mutual consent. All ac
counts due tho firm will bo paid to
Henry Schrieber who will nlso imv nil
bills owing by tho firm.
HUNIIY SClinitlKH,
A. liUAGG.
December 21, 1008.
Harlow Slioes
FOR MEN
QUALITY
STYLE
WEAR
COMFORT
SATISFYING
Price $3.50, $4, $5.
SMAL1
The Big Shoe Man.
521 Dewey Street.
Th
ere s a Reason
why one kind of hosiery for men will
wear so many times longer than other
kinds without holes or darning. A good
reason, too, for it's the new
TOE-HEEL
REO. U.S.PAT. OFF".
1
That makes all the difference in the
world. We have taken up this new hosiery because we
realize it is just what every mon wants. A light weight,
fine texture sock that will give long wear without darn
ing. Because of this wonderful toe and heel a lisle sock
is made which will outwear the heaviest, most clumsy
hosicrp with the ordinary double toe and heel.
GRAHAM & COMPANY.
Baptist Church.
Next Sunday tho Biblo school will
conveno nt 10 o'clock a. m. Thero will
bo no preaching nt tho morning hour.
Tho Juniors will moot at 3 o'clock.
Another ovnngelistic sorvico will bo
hold at 7:30 p. m. Tho pastor will preach
on "Working for Wages." A man nnd
his wifo, perhaps others, will bo im
mersed at this ovening sorvico. All nro
welcome who can find accommodations
in tho building.
Nolicc-
All accounts duo Tho'Lerdor must
bo settled by the first .of January, 1908,
if credit for tho future is desired.
Statements will bo sont to all debtors.
Tub Leadkii,
Julius Pizor, Prop.
Birthday Party.
(Communicated.)
On Saturday, December 19, Dolbert
Martin, boii of Mr. nnd Mrs. D. E.
Martin, celebrated tho nnnivorsnry of
his twelfth birthday nt their pretty
homo on tho Roscdale ranch bIx miles
northwest of Hershoy. Tho day was
fine nnd just enough snow for snow
balling. Tho dining room nnd parlors
wero beautifully docorated. Minaturo
bells festooned with ribbon hung ovor
windows with n beautiful nrch of twclvo
bells ovor tho door nnd twolvo candles
lit up tho tables spread with delicious
viands nnd sont their clioer to illumin
ate tho scene.
At 1 p. m. nearly all tho invited
guests began to arrive. They camo
from all the surrounding country.
Somo of them twclvo miles away. A
tally-ho woighted down with young
Americans brought Dolbert's class and
teacher from Hershoy schools whero ho
attends. Thu children entered heartily
into tho snirlt of tho day and celebrat
ed in truo rural style. Tho most ex
citing part of which was tho riding of a
bucking steer and Master Edward Gen
try, aged 11, proved tho horo of tho
hour. Earl Roborts beat in nn im
promptu encounter at wrestling.
Othor gamoB wero indulged In until
tho supper boll drew tho happy juven
iles to a feast of which tho king might
long to partake. Mrs. Hoatson as
sisted tho hostess and both Indies
proved thomBolvcs adepts not only in
a social way but also in tho part of
culinary excellence. Tho party closed
with u floral contest or guessing game.
Master FunkhouBcr won first prizo nnd
Bcnnio Dikeman Bccond. Then with
many congratulations and wishes for
DR. 0. II. CRESSLER,
Graduate Dcnlisl
Ofilco over tho McDonald
Stato Bank.
tho futuro, tho merry party hied away
to their homes leaving Delbort to his
many beautiful presents and pleasant
memories.
Puckcruc Island. f
Charloy Trembly nnd wifo dopartcd
overland Tuesday for Holbrnok, Nob.,
to spend tho holidays with Mr. nnd
Mrs. F. L. Sides.
Elmer Chnso visited his aunt nt Her
shoy over Sundny. '
Wnrrcn Wnrnock visited his parents
nt North Platto over Sunday.
Tho dnnco nt C. O. Hutchinson's
Saturday night wns well nttonded and
nil report a fino time.
Mrs. Ella Drako nnd son Claudo do
parted for Delphos, Ia Tuesday night
to visit her mother.
Sam Wnrnock departed for Kimbnll,
Nob., Tuesday night to spend Christmas.
F. M. Drake and wifo left for Omaha
Wednesday morning to visit tho for
mer's sister, Mrs. J. M. Stroud.
Roy Lnntz presented his wifo with a
$72.35 gold watch and chain for Christ
mas. Paul Bonuchamp returned from Gree
loy, Colo., Tuesday.
BACK OF OUR
FINE CARRIAGES
wo stand with a guarantee that is
worth something. Wo don't consider a
transaction closed with tho tuking of
your money. Wo insist that you shall
bo perfectly satisfied with your car
riage after you hnvo tried it ns well ns
when you selected It. Wo nro right
hero to do anything that will give you
that satisfaction. Try us.
A. M. Lock.
The Famous American Beauty Chorus in Geo. M. Cohan's Musical Winner, "Little Johnny Jones," at the Opera House Saturday Night
