THE DAILYINTET.T.TGENCER,
fUBLIBHXO KVEBT XVXOTHO,
BY STEINiAN & ffENSEL,
Intelligencer Building, Southwest Cerner of
Centre (Square.
Tue Dailt Intelligencer la furnished te
subscribers In the City of Lancaster and sur
rounding towns, accessible by ltallread and
Dully Stage Lines at Ten Ck.vts Per Week,
imyulile te the Carriers, weekly. By Mall, $5 a
year in advance ; otherwise, 90.
Kntered at the pest efllceat Lancaster, Pa., as
second class mall matter.
-Tlic STEAM JOB PRINTING DEPART
MENT of this establishment possesses unsur
passed facilities for the execution of all kinds
of Plain and Funcv Printing.
COAL.
B.
II. MARTIN,
Wholesale and Retail Dealer In all kinds of
LUMBER AND COAL.
43-Yard: Ne. 430 North Water and Prince
treets, above Lemen, Lancaster. n3-lyd
COAL! COAL! COAL! COAL!
Ceal of the Bent Quality put up expressly
for family use, and at the low
est market prices.
TRY A SA3IPLE TON.
43" YAKU-150 SOUTH WATER ST.
neSMyd PHILIP SCIIUM, SON &CO.
nOALl COAL!! REMOVAL!!!
RUSSEL & SHDLMYER
have removed their Ceal Office from Ne. 15 te
Ne, 22 EAST KING STREET, where they will
lx-pleased te wait en their lriends and guar
antee full satisfaction.
43Den,t forget Ne. 22. apr3-lmdtaw
JUST RECEIVED A FINK LUT OF BALED
HAY AND STRAW, at
M. F. STEIGERWALT & SON'S,
DEALERS IV
FLOUR, GRAIN AND COAL,
iH NORTH WATER STREET.
43-Western Fleur a Specialty. s27-lyd
COHO & WILEY,
3.nO XOKTll WATER ST., Lancaster, 11a.,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in
LUMBER AND GOAL.
Alse, Contractors and Builder.
Estimates made and contract undertaken
en all kinds of buildings,
r.mnch Office : Ne. 3 NORTH DUKE ST.
fcbSS-lyd
COAL! - - - COAL!!
e te
GORREOHT & CO.,
FnrCoed and Cheap Ce.il. Yard Harrlsburg
Pike. Oflicc ) East Chestnut Street.
P. W. GORRECHT, Agt,
.1. II. RILEY.
Myd W. A. KELLER.
-vrericE te tiik public.
G. SENER & SONS.
Will continue te sell only
G EN UINE L YKENS VALLEY
and WILKESBARRE COALS
which are the best in the market, and sell as
LOW as the LOWEST, and net only GUAR
ANTEE EULLWEIGHT, butallew te WEIGH
ON ANY scale in geed order.
Alse Rough and Dressed Lumber, Sash
Deers, Blinds, Ac, at Lewest Market Prices.
Office and yard northeast corner Prince and
Walnut streets, Lancaster. Pa. ianl-tfd
intr tioens.
c
1ARII TO THE LADIES!
Just received a Fine Line of
DRY GOODS,
AT
Philip Schum, Sen & Ce.'s,
38 & 40 WEST KING STREETS.
Having added in connection with our Large
Stock et Carpet, Yarns, Ac, A FINE LINE OF
DRY GOODS, such as CALICOES, 15LEACH
ED AND UNBLEACHED MUSLINS, TICK
INGS, COTTON FLANNELS. CASHMERES.
BLACK ALPACAS, SHEETINGS, NEW
STYLE OF SHIRTING. NEW STYLE DRESS
GOODS, TABLE LINENS. NAPKINS,
TOWELS, &c, which we are selling at
MODERATE PRICES.
ni4-3md
SPECIAL BARGAINS
IN HBW 8TTLE
LAWNS.
Openen this day one case of
3,000 Yards of Lawns,
te be sold at the Lew Price of 10 cte. per yard.
Purchasers can save at leasts cents per yard
by .anticipating their wants ter the coming
Warm Weather, and buying these goods new,
"eaiiestecfs,
Next Doer te the Court Heuse.
VENTS' OOODS.
L
ATEST ST VLB
Cellars aid Flat M.
IBEST FITTING
SHIRTS,
E. J. ERISMAN'S,
6 NORTH QUEEN STREET.
EOUNHERS AND MACHINISTS.
T ANCASTER
BOILER MANUFACTORY, .
SHOP ON PLUM STREET,
Opposite thk Locomotive Works.
The subscriber continues te manufacture
BOILERS AND STEAM ENGINES,
Fer Tanning and ether purposes ;
Furnace Twlers,
Bellows Pipe,
Sheetrlren Werk, and
Blacksmlthing generally.
43- Jobbing promptly attended te.
auglS-lydJ JOHN BEST.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
T rvr BOOTS. SHOES AND LASTS
ill A. J X made en a new principle, Insur
ing comfort for the feet.
-v-w w 4-v m"i T .eat maAn ta order.
KUU1& MILLER,
fsblt-tfd
ltt East King atraet.
THE GRAND DEPOT
IS THE LARGEST RETAIL HOUSE in the United States,
exclusive of New Yerk City. It carries DOUBLE THE
STOCK of any Retail Heuse in Philadelphia.
Buyers .are Sure of Seeing the LARGEST ASSORT
MENT of Newest Goods. A System of Business is ob
served that Ensures PERFECT SATISFACTION.
A CORDIAL INVITATION is Extended te all who
visit us.
The New Stock for Spring is Just Opened.
JOHN WANAMAKER,
13th Street, Market te Chestnut,
PHILADELPHIA.
NEW STORE !
NEW GOODS !
BOTTOM PRICES !
If ATT, SUI1 4 GOHPAHY
Have removed te STIUIC3 CHINA HALL BUILDING, where they hare opened an Immense
Stock of DRY UOODs, FANCY GOOUS and NOTIONS, at prices that must command attention.
NEW SPUING DRESS GOODS,
NEW SPRING CRETONNES AND CALICOES,
NEW SPRING HOSIERY,
NEW SPRING GLOTES.
43-EVERY DEPARTMENT A SPECIAXTT, AT TIIE
NEW YORK STORE,
S AND 1 0 EAST KING STREET.
SPEING DRESS GOODS !
SPRING DRESS GOODS!
SPRING DRESS GOODS!
HAGER & BROTHER
Are new opening NEW SPRING DRESS GOODS In all th Latest Shade.
NOVELTIES IN FRENCH DRESS GOODS I
NOVELTIES IN ENGLISH DRESS GOODS!
PULL LINES OP AMERICAN DRESS GOODS1
Freneh Grenadine. fMain and Lace Hunting, Cretonnes, Chintzc, Canten lress Ging
ham and Seersucker, Black Cashmere Silks, in all qualities, lrem 75c. te $1.25 per yard. Celer
ed bilks, nuw shades, Trimming; Silks, Satins and Pekins.
BLACK CASHMERES,
Of best make, imported in all qualities, Silk Warp, Henriettas, Crepe Cleth and Tamiae.
Genuine Kid Gloves from '2 te G button, in lSlack Celers, White and Opera Shades, Lisle
Gloves, 2, :i and 4 Elastics, Lisle Gloves, Lace Tep, Silk Gleve, Mack and Celers, 2, 3 and 4
Elastic. White Goods, Lace Goods, Hosiery and Corsets.
WATCHES,
EDW. J. ZAHM, Jeweler,
Zahm's Cerner,
DEALER IN
AMERICAN & FOREIGN WATCHES,
Sterling Silver and Silrer-Flated Ware,
Clods, Jewelry ai Ami Mil Spectacles.
Vf e offer our patrons the benefit of our long experience in business, by which we are able
te aid them in making the best use of their money In any department of our business. We
manufacture a large part of the goods we sell, and buy only lrem First-Class Houses. Every
article sold accompanied with a bill stating its quality.
aFlrst-Class Watch and General Repairing glTen special attention.
ZAHM'S CORNER. LANCASTER, PA.
CLOTHING.
A COMPLETE RENEWAL
IN OUR STOCK OK
CLOTHING.
NEW GOODS-BOUGHT FOB CASH MADE UP BEFOBE THE ADVANCE AXD OFFER
ED TO THE PUBLIC AT PKICES FROM
28 te 30 per cent.
LESS THAN PRESENT COST OF MANUFACTURE PBEPABBD BT
A. C. YATES & CO.
THE LEADING AND POPULAR CLOTHIERS OF PUILADHLPIIIA, FOR THE
18S0 SPRING AND SUMMER. 1880
FOB THE BEST AND CHEAPEST CLOTHING CALL AT THE
Ledger Building, Chestnut and Sixth Streets.
THE FINEST CLOTHING HOUSE IN AMERICA.
CARRIAGES,
S. E. BAILY.
S. E. BAILY & Ce.,
Manufacturers
CARRIAGES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION !
Office and Warerooms, 430 and 432 North Queen Street. Factory,
431 and 433 Market Street, Lancaster, Fa.
W are new ready for SPUING TRADE, with a Fine Assortment of
Bin Craps, FMetens, Market Wagons, &c.
Having purchased our stock for cash, before tha recent adranee, we are enabled te otter
SPECIAL INDUCEMENTS IN PRICE. We will keep in stoek BUGGIES OF AXL GRADES
and PRICES te suit aU classes of customers .SPECIAL BAB&ALN8 IN MARKET WAGONS.
IremsaeaU. All work faUywarraate4ae year.
JEWELRT, Jtr.
Lancaster, Pa.,
PHAETONS. Cc
W. W. BAILY.
of and Dealer la
Hafmaster $ nteliigencer.
WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 7,1880.
A Mysterious Telegram.
A Message That Ne Man Sent.
The 6:20 train, Ne. 39, was ever an hour
late that night. Cause enough, heaven
knows. Fer twelve hours the storm had
raged and new, instead or showing any
signs of breaking, the rain came down in
torrents fremthe inky sky and the thun
der rolled ominously overhead. A bad
storm te drive an engine through, as any
body would have known, and the wonder
is that Ne. 39 was net three hours late in
stead of one. Old Luke Granger, the
trustiest, nerviest engineer en the read,
rounded the curve just below Red Ravine
Station at twenty-six minutes past seven.
I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw the
headlight cut a hole in the darkness. The
station bridge might have given away in a
storm like that, and I was beginning te
get nervous ever this thought.
Somehow everything made me nervous
that night. It was just the kind of weather
when things leek all out of gear anyway.
Then, I suppose, the knowledge of that
money package being due and its failing te
come en the 11:30. as it should have done,
had its effect en me. I didn't relish the
idea of keeping $13,000 in cash uutil the
next day. Eldridgc and Ricketsen had
been down themselves te meet the morn
ing train, and if the package had come I
could have turned it ever te them at once,
and that would have been the end of the
matter. But it didn't come. That's a
way things have in this world when you
most want 'cm.
There wasn't a soul at the station that
night except myself, and there were only
two passengers who get off the train. I
speak of 'em that way, net meaning te be
disrespectful or make light of solemn
things, only it's habit, I suppose ; for most
people would say there was only one pas
senger that get off at Red Ravine, seeing
that the second of 'em was carried out of
the express car in a wooden box. Usually,
when a body was coming en, I get word of
it beforehand, but this ene took me quite
by surprise, and added net a little te the
nervousness I already felt.
" Who was it?" I asked, as the box was
carried into the station.
The passenger who had get off the train
and who was a stranger te me, answered
my inquiry.
" The body is that of my sister-in law,"
said he. " She was the nicce of Themas
Eldridge doubtless you knew him. Her
death was very sudden. She is te be
buried in Mr. Eldridge's let here."
44 Then I suppose the body is te be left
in my charge until to-merrow,"saidl.
"Yes," answered the stranger. "De
you suppose I can get te Mr. Eldridge's
myself te-night ?"
"Well," I replied, "it's a geed four
miles, and in such a storm as this "
" I'll wait until te-morrow," interrupt
ed the stranger. "There is some sort of a
hotel here, isn't there '."'
"Yes, a geed one. You'll have te feet
it, though ; but it's only a matter of a
quaiter of a mile, and you can't miss your
way, for the read up the hill leads straight
te the house."
Here I made my way out en te the plat
form again and made my way te the ex
press car, where the money package, which
all along I had secretly hoped wouldn't
come, was delivered te me by the messenger.
As he gave it te me he said: "You'll
want te keep a sharp eye en that, Billy.
There's enough in it te make ene of your
Red Raviners put a bullet through your
head, and never give you the chance te
object."
"I'll leek out for the Red Raviners, and
the package, tee," said I, confidently
enough. But if the truth had been told,
I didn't like the suggestion which the
messenger had made.
The train moved off quickly, and I
swung my lantern, as was my habit,
by way of bidding geed night te
Luke Granger. Then I went into the
station house with the little package
clutched tightly under my rubber coat,
expecting te find the man there who had
come en with the body. But he had geno,
being anxious, no doubt, te get te the
hotel as quickly as possible. Ne. 39 was
the last train which stepped at
Red Ravine until 6:10 the next morning.
Se my work for the night was done and
I had only te lock up the doers, see that
things were all right about the place, and
sit down te my newspaper in the little
room which served as my slcceping quar
ters. Twenty years had passed since I first
found myself installed at Red Ravine as
telegraph,operator in the railway station.
Being content with the humdrum sort of
life, and faithful te my duties, I had come
by degrees te attend te all the work which
the place required. That is, I was the
ticket agent, batrgage master, and keeper
of the station, besides acting for the ex
press company and continuing my charge
of the telegraph key. These combined
labors made made it pretty close work for
me, but they all yielded a very comforta
ble income ; and as I was troubled with
no unsatisfied ambitions, I counted myself
well fixed. As I have intimated, I slept in
the station, partly te keep guard en the
company's property, and partly from
choice ; for, being a bachelor and without
kin, I had nothing te attract mc elsewhere.
My duties had grown a part of second na
ture, and I had lived in the little town se
long that the younger gene ration had come
te speak of me as " Old Billy." That
was, I suppose, because my hair was get
ting gray and my joints a little stiff.
The Red Ravine station was a wooden
building, about forty feet lengand twenty
wide. It was divided into two compart
ments, the larger one being for freight and
baggage, and the smaller one for passen
gers. My own little room was only a
piece partitioned off from the freight quar
ter, and ten feet square, and connected by
a deer with a box of an office in the pas
sengers' room, which served both for sell
ing tickets and holding the telegraph key.
In this latter apartment, also, was placed
the old fashioned iron safe, in which I
locked up my valuable express packages
when any happened te come te Red Ra
vine. The village, I ought te explain,
had grown up entirely through the influ
ence of the great iron works of Eldridge &
Rickesten. There were rich beds of
ere a few miles te the north, and these as
well as the foundry, which employed 400
or 500 hands, were controlled by the firm
I have mentioned. There had been some
trouble at the works recently a strike or
something growing out of delay in paying
the meu their wages. This is hew it hap
pened that the $13,000 money package
came into my keeping for a night.
Well, when I had made all snug about
the station, and get off my wet clothing,
I sat down comfortably with pipe and
newspaper, te enjoy my customary read
ing. The storm outside continued te rage
mere and mere fiercely but within things
were cozy as could be. I had a blazing
fire in the stove, a cheerful light, an easy
chair, plenty of geed tobacco the only
luxury in which I was really extravagant
a fresh newspaper and a bottle of geed
Helland gin, wherewith te make my regu
lar nocturnal teddy. Certainly these were
pleasant surroundings for an old fellow
like mc, and as a rule they yielded as
much solid comfort as a man has a right te
expect in this world. But that night
things seemed all out of gear, as I have
said. My pipe didn't seethe me as was its
went ; try as I might I couldn't get inter
ested in the newspaper; an uncomfort
able feeling of dread a feeling that some
shadowy but horrible thing was about te
happen possessed ray mind, and even
When I had mixed up a teddy considerably
stronger than usual it failed te bring the
relief I had hoped for.
"It all comes of that pesky money
package," I muttered te myself. " Why
couldn't it have get here en the 11:30, and
saved me the job of keeping it here ever
night?"
Just at this moment came a terrific Map
of thunder, and a flash of lightning vivid
enough te make the lamp dim. I had
locked up the package in the safe, and put
the key there was no combination lock
in my pocket. But I had net the largest
faith in the security of the old safe. It had
occurred te mc often that a person could
open it even if he wasn't a skillful cracks
man. It was my custom te leave the deer
open between my little room and the ticket
office, se that if Red Ravine was called en
the telegraph key I could hear it. The in
strument had been clicking away at a
great rate for the last hour ; but as it was
none of my business I had paid no atten
tion te what was going ever the wires. I
judged new from the nearness of the
lightning and the jerky sounds of the in
truments. that the storm was playing the
mischief with the messages. I passed into
the ticket office, where a light was left
burning, and steed for some time thinking
wether the money packages would be less
exposed in the safe then it would be under
the mattress of my bed ; and I finally con
cluded that the latter place would be
hardest for any possible thief te reach.
Se I took out the heavy brown envelope,
and stewed it away under the mattress.
Then I took a second glass of teddy,
which was usually against my rule, but
which I thought the circumstances war
ranted. Once mero I sat down te my newspaper
and pipe, but with no better success than
before. The storm seemed new te have
centred right ever the little station. Peal
after peal of thunder rent the air. and the
lightning played about the sky like phos
phorus en the inky background. If you
have ever chanced te be in a telegraph
office during a storm, you may have seen
the electricity dash down the wires in a
way te make timid people nervous. Even
veteran operators, like myself, wouldn't
want te undertake te receive that sort of
message. I was tempted te close the key,
but the meaningless ticking had a sort of
fascination for me in the mood I then was.
It was like the incoherent muttcrings of a
maniac, where new and then, at long in
tervals only, could one distinguish a word
or sentence. Maybe the extra allewance
of teddy had made me mere imaginative
than usual, and given a weird coloring te
my thoughts; for listening te the rapid
click-click, I remember of fancying that
some spirit-hand had get held of the key,
and was pouring out a wail of wee ever
the wires.
I was tee restless te sit still and tee ner
vous te go te bed. Besides, even if I
hadn't been se upset in my mind, it is
doubtful whether I could have slept
through such a storm as that.
Te occupy myself about something, I
relighted my lantern, went out into the
freight room, examined again the belts of
the doers and the fastenings of the win
dows and returned te my room mere wor
ried and upset than ever. Just as I was
entering my own nest, the light of the lan
tern fell squarely en the wooden box.
Oddly enough, until that moment I had
forgotten all about the dead young
woman. Thinking se steadily of the
$13,000 had, I suppose, driven the box out
of my mind. But I can't say it was any
comfort te have it brought back new ; for
a corpse is never the most cheerful of com
pany, and, feeling as I did then,
I would a great deal rather have had no
company at all.
It must have been the imp of the per
verse, I suppose, that impelled me, after
the box had been brought back te my
mind, te leave the deer open se that I
could sit and stare at it with morbid curios
ity. As I have already said, my sleeping
apartment was partiened off from the
freight room and was connected with the
latter by a deer. The body had been
placed in such a position that when this
deer was open the head of the box was in
sight. Twe or three times I get up te
shut the deer, but some strange fatality
drove mc back te my chair and caused me
te keep in view the box with its sad
freight. All this time the storm raged,
the thunder discharged its mighty bat
teries, the lightning flashed, and the mad
ravings of the telegraph continued. I
caught my hand trembling as I tried te
refill my pipe. Nervousness, no doubt ;
but possibly an observer might have
thought Old Billy was frightened.
I had just risen te wind the little clock
en the shelf, when suddenly out of the
hitherto meaningless ticking of the instru
ment sharply and distinctly came te my
ears these sounds :
. . . which in spoken word meant,
" Watch the box !"
I started as if a charge of electricity had
shot through my frame. I could fairly lcel
my face grew white. I steed motionless,
clutching the back of the chair, and with
my eyes riveted in a vacant stare at the
table in the telegraph office. I knew this
was no word of an excited imagination.
The words, te my practiced ear, were as
plain as if shouted in clarion tones. There
had ceme no call for Red Ravine, and the
message ended without signature or mark,
but abruptly, as it had begun. Mere than
that it was net the writing of any operator
en any section of the line. I would have
sworn te that with as much pesitiveness
as you would te the tones of a voice witii
which you are familiar. In the dot and
dash alphabet we learn te distinguish who
is handling the keys almost with as much
accuracy as ethers distinguish handwriting.
And in all my experience I had never
heard the sounder click off a message like
that.
While I steed dazed and almost para
lyzed ( for you must remember that Old
Billy's nerves were strung te a terrible
pitch that night ) the rapid and unintelli
gible click-click was resumed as if a demon
had again get held of the key. It was fully
five minutes before I mustered courage
enough te pass into the ticket office and
sit down by the table myself. JNet once
had I turned back te leek at the box.
Almest at the instant of my sitting down
at the table the clicking stepped short, as
it had done before, and then -these words
were repeated : Watch the box.
Every dot, every dash, every letter,
every word, came with such horrible dis
tinctness, that it seemed te send a sharp
pain" tingling through my ears. It was
like the loud whispering of some ghostly
voice. Then, again, broke out the jargon
of sound that turned the clicking into
meaningless confusion.
I sprang np from the table, and with the
new strengthened conviction that it was
no delusion, no fancy, but that the sound
had come plainly ever the wires, I felt my
courage returning, and resolved te heed
the mysterious warning. The rolling of
the thunder and the mad rear of the storm
no longer depressed me. I stepped boldly
back into my own room, and rested my
eyes unflinchingly en the mysterious box.
What was its mysterious freight? Why
had the phantom of the storm sent these
startling words ever the wires? What
unknown hand had reached out from the
very lightning itself te warn me of some
impending danger ? These questions rush
ed through my mind as I lelt the dread
fear disappearing, and found myself of a
sudden growing strangely calm.
The clock struck ten. I turned te the
shelf and with a hand that no longer
trembled inserted the key, and wound it
composedly. Would it be the last time
that I should perform that smple task?
Ne matter. Happier that most men, be
cause content with my humble let, it
should never be said that Old Billy flinched
in the face of duty. Fer that night it was
my duty my one sacred, all-important
duty te guard the treasure left te my
keeping. And guard it I would while life
remained.
When I had finished winding the clock
I took down from the shelf an old rusty
pistol which had lain for years undis
turbed. It was net leaded, nor had I
either powder or bullet anywhere in the
station. But the weapon was an ugly ene
and carried a sort of silent force in "se of
tee aggressive argument. After examin
ing the rusty lock, I put the pistpl en the
table, made a fresh glass et tetiuy, drank
it, lighted my pipe, and closed the deer
that opened into the freight room. New
that 1 was thoroughly myself again, I
found it easy enough te shut out the sight
of that ominous oblong box.
It was net until the box struck again
that is, 11 that I made up my mind te go
bed. All that time the storm held en, al
though the thunder had begun te rumble rumble
mere distantly. I threw off my coat and
slippers, put out the light in the ticket
office, and turned that in my sleeping room
down te a low flame. Then I drew" the
money package from under the mattress
and pinned it securely te my woolen shirt
under my vest. This done and the table
se placed that I could reach both the lamp
and the pistol, I opened the deer into the
freight room some three or four inches and
then threw myself upon the bed. Just as
my head touched the pillow, the instru
ment, which had grown quiet new, clicked
oil', for the third time, loudly, distinctly,
slowly its words of warning : Watch the
box!
This time the warning was net needed.
I had net gene te bed te sleep, but for the
very purpose of watching the box. Stand
ing as it did, with the head close te the
deer, and therefore close te the box itself,
the bed afforded the very best point from
which te keep an eye en the suspicious
freight. Had my faith in the telegraphic
clicking been less, or had my own sense of
great responsibility deserted me for a
single moment, I should certainly have
given up the job of watching as foolish ;
and in that case it is net likely that this
narrative would ever have been written.
But I beliuved in the thrice-repeated mes
sages, and I did net let drowsiness over
come patience. Twelve, one, two hew
very slowly the hours beemed te drag
themselves! The low flame of the lamp
went out, as the oil ran dry. What a relief
it was te hear the clock strike ! At last
somewhere about midnight, the storm had
broken. I could see the stars as they came
out, through the window in the freight
room, which was en a line of vision with
the box. Hew strangely still it seemed
after the mighty rear of the storm and the
sharp claps of thunder ! Net a click from
the instument new. Net a sound save the
steady ticking of the clock. Still I lay
listening, watching, with faculties all alert
and my eyes always en the oblong box.
A little past 2 perhaps ten minutes.
The silence almost painful in its profound
ness. Nothing but the tick-tick of the
clock, which te my ear had taken en this
sound, which it kept repeating ever and
ever:
" Watch the box ! Watch the
box !"
What was that?
Net the clock, net the telegraph instiu
ment. Ne it was the sound of the grat
ing of iron. Faint, very faint, yet still au
dible te my ear ! Breathing irregularly
and deeply, as one breathes in sleep, I lay
and listened. Anether interval of silence,
and then the grating sound came again,
this time a trifle louder than before. The
litlht of the stars shining through tlic-l
window made the objects in the
freight room just visible. Almest
simultaneously with the second grat
ing noise I saw the cover of the
wooden box rising slowly from the end
furthest removed from the bed. I could
feel my heart thumping away like a sledge
hammer, but I continued te breath heavily
and te watch keenly. Gently and noise
lessly the cover was pressed upwards until
it reached an angle which completely shut
eat from my view the window beyond.
A moment later the figure of a man came
out of the shadows, while the box cover
was let down as noiselessly as it had been
raised.
This, then, was the burden of the box.
This was the meaning of the mysterious
warning which the sounder had spoken.
With cat-like tread the figure moved to
ward the deer of my room. Still I lay as in
deep sleep. On the threshold the figure
paused, and a moment later a single ray of
light like a silver thread pierced the dark
ness and fell upon the bed. Luckily it did
net strike my iace, and in an instant I
closed my eyes. As I had anticipated, the
ray of light was directed toward my pillow,
and by the sense of feeling I knew it rested
a moment en my face. Satisfied that I was
in deep slumber, the figure, still with cat
like tread, glided through the bed room
and into the ticket office, My eyes were
wide open again by this time. The light
from the dark lantern had increased, but
its rays were new turned toward the safe.
Obviously the robber believed the
treasure that he sought was there. I
waited until he had knelt down te
examine the lock, and then with
step as noiseless as his own, I slipped
from the bed and toward the half
open deer. Se intent washe in examining
the safe that it was net until I was within
reach of him that he heard mc. He sprang
te his feet bringing the glass of the lantern
full into my face, and reaching for his re
volver, which he had laid upon the top of
the safe. Hut he was tee late. - With the
rusty old pistol, held by its long barrel,
I dealt him a crushing blew en the head
just as his fingers irrasped his own weapon.
He fell heavily, without uttering a groan.
The lantern was extinguished as it fell,
and with trembling fingers I struck a match
and lighted the lamp in the office. As its
rays fell upon the upturned face of the rob
ber. I saw that bleed was flowing from the
wound I had inflicted, and I saw, tee, that
his face was delicate in its outlines and in
telligent in expression. I had time te no
tice no mere, for I felt, new that the dan
ger was past, the need of aid. Se after bin
ding the unconscious man's feet and arms
and bathing his head in cold water, I
pulled en my beets and overcoat and start
ed in het haste for the hotel.
Halfway en the read I met a covered
carriage, drawn by one horse. I took it
te be the turnout of Matthews, the hotel
proprietor, and, wondering what he could
be out for at that heur.I shouted bis name.
I get no response. Then I cried out at the
top of my voice :
" I've killed a burglar down at the sta-
Whoever was in the carriage must have
heard me, but the horse only quickened
his sharp trot, and disappeared in the
darkness.
They give me a great deal mero credit,
the peeple of Red Ravine, for that night's
adventure, than I deserve. And I de net
blame them for laughing at hew things
came out. Fer when a party of us get
back te the station my unconscious bur
glar had disappeared, and the tracks
next morning showed that the covered
carriage which I had met en the read
had drawn up at the platform. Who
was in it ? Well, I couldn't swear, but
I have a notion that it contained the gen
tleman who had ceme en with the dead
body. At all events, neither he nor the
body was ever seen in the town again. I
had the satisfaction of delivering the
money package safely te Eldridge & Rick Rick
eseon, but the check they gave me was
net really merited. Fer what would have
happened had it net been for the mysteri
eus message which no man sent ?
JIEHICAL.
CUTICURA
REMEDIES
Ilave achieved the most noted success et
any Medicines of Modern Times.
Messrs. Weeks & Petter have never doubted
the specific properties of Cuticuua. Cuticuua.
Reselvent and utrrictftiA Seav, for the speedy,
perniiinent anil economical cure of Humors of
the Bleed. Skin iind Sculp. They are, however;
astonished at their universal success; for it
was te be expected that in the bunds of some
bey would tail solely from spasmodic or ig no
ant use of them.
They are unable te say without fear of con
railictien that no ;remedies ever achieved in
the short space of one ycurthe number of won
derful cures performed by the Cuticixka Riui-
KDIES.
SALT RHEUM
Cevering the Bedy for Ten Yearn, Perma
nently Cnred.
Law Opfick or Ciias. Iloneirrow.
IT Congress Street, Bosten, Keb. 2S, 1873.
Mk.isiw. Wkeks & Petter: Gentlemen. I feel
it a duty te inform you, and through you all
who are interested te knew the fact, that a
most disagreeable and obstinate case of Salt
Kheuin or Eczema, which has been under my
personal observation from its first appearance
te the present time, about ten (IU) years,
covering the greater portion of the patient's
body ami limbs with its peculiar irritating and
itching seal), and te which all the known meth
ods of treating such disease has been applied
without benellt, lias completely disappeared,
leaving a clean and healthy skin, under a few
days of profuse application of Ccticura.
1 can and de heartily advise all similarly af
flicted te try the remedy which has been se ef
fectual In this case.
Very truly yours, i
CltAS. HOUGHTON',
LIVER COMPLAIST
And Dyspepsia Treated by the iteselvcnt
Gains S 1-2 pounds en One Bettle.
Gentlemen: I have had Liver Complaint and
Dyspepsia, with running sores en the side of
my neck, jbr ten years. Doctors did me no
geed I have been spending for eight years
and it did no geed. Everything I atu distress
ed mc. I get reduced from 179 te 132 pounds.
At last I Uicd the Kkselvknt and it helped mu
right etT, and en the bottle I gained five and
one-half pounds. It is doing the business, unit
I am going for it strong.
Yours truly, JOIIX ROY.
414 Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111., Nev. 15, 1878.
Nete. Ccticcua is admirably assisted In
cases of extreme physical weakness, or when
the virus of Scrofula is known te lurk in the
system, by the internal use of the Cbticuka
Heselvext, without doubt the most powerful
bleed purifier and liver stimulant in tue world.
Ccticura Seap is an elegant toilet and medic
inal assistant te Cuticuua iu the treatment of
all external ailments. Fer chapped hands,
rough skin and tan, sunburn, and the lesser
skin troubles, it is indisiensable; as a soap ter
the toilet, the nursery and bath It U the most
elegant, retieshing and healing beferu the
public.
These great remedies succeed where all
ethers heretofore iu use fail because they pos
sess new and original properties never before
successfully cembinedln medicine.
The Ccticura Kemedies are prepared by
Weeks & Petter, Chemists and Druggists, 3M)
Washington street, .Bosten, and are for sale by
all druggists. Price of Cuticura, small boxes,
M cents ; large boxes, containing two and one
half times the quantity et small, $1. ltcselveut,
$1 per bottle. Cuticura Seap, 25 cents per cake ;
by mail. 30 cents : three cakes 75 cents.
COLLINS
Tn tliA Annihllnffnn nf
Pain and Inflammation'
VOLTAIC SELECTbO1'1 u,e taiizatien ei
VJUW,'Hu!luvWcak, Paralyzed, and
Of lATCflS Painful Nervous Parts
lSls1 and Organs, in the Cur
ing of Chronic Weakness of the Lungs, Heart,
and Kidneys, in the Absorption of Poisons
from the ISIoed through the Peres.and the Pre
vention of Fever and Ague, Liver Complaints,
Malarial anil Contagious Diseases, they are
wonderful. Get the genuine.
C1UTICCKA FOR SALE AT LOCIIER'B
Drug Stere, 9 East King street.
OKOCERIES.
-IITUOLCSALK A.Nb KKTAIL.
LEVAX'S FLOUR
AT
Ne. 227 NORTH PRINCE STREET
dl7-lyd
rpitY THE FAHNKSTOUK.
FARINA FLOUR.
A Very Superior Article, at
ISUKSK'S.
rpilK BEST COFFEKS.
JL Always Fresh iteastcd, at
BUKSK'S.
"JITICUNEK'S EXCELSIOK HAMS,
A r.UESK'S.
FULL LINE OF
CANNED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES,
AT KURSK'S.
SIIUMAKEIfS AKRON OAT MKAL,
ALWAYS FRESH, AT
RURSK'S.
s
ELF-RAISING BUCKWHEAT AND
GRIDDLE CAKE FLOUR, at
D. S. BUKSK'S,
Ne. 17 EAST KINO STREET.
CARPETS.
"lARTKTS! CARPETS!! CARPETS!!!
H. S. SHIRK'S
CARPET HALL,
202 WEST KING STREET.
Has en hand ever 20,000 YARDS OF CAR
PET, Bedy and Tapestry Brussels with Bor
ders te match. Alse. Venitian Hall and Stair
Carpets, Extra Three-Ply and Superfine In
grain Carpets, which were all bought from the
manufacturers before the great advance in
prices, and which he offers at the Lewest Liv
ing Prices. Alse, a Larger Stock than ever of
Rag and Chain Carpets, which he is prepared
te sell at prices which defy competition. On
hand a Large Stock of Oil Cleths, all widths.
Counterpanes and Blankets et all kinds and
Celer. Carpets made te order at short notice
for narties who find their own Rags, guaran
teeing perfect satisfaction. Give ns a trial, at
202 WEST KINO STREET.
TLSWARE, AC-
1ALL ON SHERTZER, HUMPHREVIIXE
j A KIEFFEIt, manufacturers of
TIN AXD SHEET-IRON WORK,
and dealers In GAS FIXTURES AND HOUSE
FURNISHING GOODS. Special attention given
te PLUMBING, GAS and STEAM FITTING
N. 40 East King Street, Laaeuter, Pa.
i
:. i.vv.