Mexico weekly ledger., 1877-11-15
TORNADO JIM.
BY NED BUNTLINE.

1IlS 1CslA lAd4lC Wuo ~ uA4Nc Ass &1ASA~
rifeld, and he hailed from the cosiest
little Eden in the state Of New York
Hyde Park.
He had no need to 60 to railroad
ing, but he took a fancy to the life,
Just as the writer once took fancy to
the sea, which he followed for many a
happy year.
He got the name of Tornado Jim
from no violence of temperament, for
more quiet, gentlemanly man, never
took up tickets in car, albeit he had
plenty of true courage when it came
in need. His train on the Lexington
branch of the NJ. p. r. r. was COM
pletely blown from the track and
wrecked in fearful tornado o couple
of years ago, and since then to his
railroad friends he has always been
known as Tornado Jim.
have story to tell about him. II
was when he was young in conductor
life, but it proved his Judgment, hia
grit and the innate nobility or hsl
heart
His train, eastward bound, stopped
at small way station for waters
station where very seldom, and only
when Tagged, did they look for pas
sengers.
Just before the train started out q
carriage, driven at a furious rate,
reached the station, and two men,
rough, hard-looking cases, and beau
tiful young girl not over IL years of
age, alighted.
Supported between the two men as
if she were an invalid, though she ap-
peared to walk we'll enough, the girl
was hurried on the train, and one of
the men asked Tornado Jim, the con-
ductor, If he had parlor car, with
on the train.
mo, sir; nothing only ordinary
coaches," was Jim's an.
swer.
He did not like the looks or tone of
the man.
The latter muttered something to
his companion, and breathed hoarse
whisper to the girl, as they hurried
10 almost the only vacant seat in the
car.
Jim heard a part of that whisper.
1t was this;
"Speak, breathe whisper, even,
and i will cut your throat from ear to
earl"
The girl was deathly pale, her large,
blue eyes wide open with fearfnllyi
sad gaze-evidently under the infiu.
ence of terror. 8
Jim took up the tickets. These men
had none, but they paid for the three
to st. Louis, the one who had first
spoken acting 40 paymaster.
Jim looked at the girl closely. and
tried to catch her eye, but she was
evidently afraid to look up. u
Jim felt sure something was wrong.
lrhe men had no look which could
poclaim them as relations. They
Wee coarse, brutal in appearance
she ooked refined, and was dressed
gentAly.
AfpA taking his tickets, Jim went
forwarasnd consulted with AL. Price,
OF Adarh express, who was taking a
trip overae road, though not in an
official cafAity.
| "Im surtthe ours are stealing the
girl-carryinsher to st. Louis for her
ruin-and shes too terrified to ask
for help" said tm, explaining what
. he had seen.
sd find out fesure, and if it is
SO, why, count me and we will
sail in and take care her, said AL.
Price.
'sHWe you shoottg % irons with
your I saw the batt,f revolver
loom sp in the poclset4 OF the one
that Poke to mel
lou bet; Inever traAl withou
thelbels," said AL. s.Yotivo alona
cafless now, and try and o>en tall
vii her, and I'll be close byif yo,
nai nae.'
Tornado Jim looked TO the caps q
Colt, Saw them all right, and heI
Mixed back through the train.
Arriving near the seat where sh
k|oor girl was close squeezed betwee
syhe two men, all on one seat, he locke