"When we first moved here we lived a mile down the track in the only house near the station at that time. Hector was my only companion while on duty, and in all these years he has never failed to accompany me, night or day, in sunshine or in storm. He is one of the best dogs I ever saw. I have never been able to make out his breed, but that is of small importance to me. "Since the company put in their new system of signals there have been but few accidents, but before that they were of frequent occurrence. When I came here the road had only a single track, and the signal-station was put in as a matter of precaution, owing to the dangers arising from the heavy grades, dangerous curves, and many deep cuts. "For several years I had only one man to help me. During the first month I did all the day work, but after that we changed about, and I frequently took the nightshift. My partner came down from C---- on the six-o'clock train in the morning or evening as the case might be; but as these trains were frequently two or three hours late, I often had to send Hector home for my meals. I would tie a note to his collar, and he would carry it to the house in a very few minutes. Wife would then put up my lunch for me and tie it to his collar. He never failed but once in bringing it to me safely. Then the basket came loose and fell in the dirt; but Hector took the basket in his mouth and carried it back to the house to be replenished. "Being away from home from twelve to fourteen hours each day, no duties to speak of, and only Hector for a companion, the time passed slowly enough. Trains made no regular stop here, and when by some unusual chance a stray passenger wished to take the train, my red flag by day or red light at night 'hauled up' the desired train. "One stormy evening when I was on the night shift I sat in my little den of an office listening to the clicking of the telegraph instruments, as the usual business passed to and fro on the wires--business in which I took no active part. Hector lay behind the stove as you see him now, entirely oblivious of the gale that rattled the windows and went shrieking and howling through the upper gorge. "For once my little office seemed cheerful, when compared with the raging storm on the outside, and I had just settled myself before the fire to enjoy my book when I heard the instruments calling. Answering at once, I took my pen and copied the following message: "'To operator at Springdale.--Special left A---- at 7.30, and by mistake No. 12 left C---- at 7.45: both due at Springdale at 9.15. Be very sure to stop them if possible!--Hobbs, Despatcher.' "No. 12 was a through freight that never stopped at Springdale, and the special contained some of the officers and stock-holders of the road, with their families, returning from a pleasure trip. I had been watching the progress of the special, as its orders had been flashed along the wires, and knew that it was running at the rate of nearly a mile a minute.