The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1892-08-10
Selected Storp.
by My Heel.


This question was asked by one of a
crowd of four or five gentlemen seated
in the handsome private Office of Mr.
Ransom, superintendent Of transporta-
ton of the Chicago and Western railroad
at Omaha, Neb
"Well," replied the superintendent,
good looking young man of twenty-six
or Whereabouts, eff you will have the pa
tience to listen | will narrate briefly how
my heel caused my promotion and was
the means of saving many lives"
Five years ago was station agent
and operator at Hamlin ON this road,
The depot was the only building at
Hamlin, consequently had to do my
own cooking and sleeping in the depot,
getting my supplies from Rands, place
of about 500 inhabitants, eight miles up
the railroad.
at was about 10 o'clock on q hot,
sultry night in August. There did not
seem to be a breath of air stirring. The
windows were up and the doors were
thrown open so as to admit all the air
possible. No 80, the fast mail, had to
be reported before | could get good
night from the dispatchers and retire.
81 had pulled off my shoes and had
nothing on my feet but my stockings.
As was idly leaning back in my chair,
my feet propped up on the instrument
table and lazily drumming on the key
with my heel, heard a slight noise be-
hind me. Before | could turn around
to ascertain the cause q m ms harsh
voice rang out:
Move an inch and you are dead
man. and at the same moment felt the
cold muzzle of a revolver pressed against
my head.
"'Put your hands behind your back
and look straight before you,' command
ed the same voice sternly.
II obeyed alacrity,
"My hands were seized roughly and
bound securely to the back of the chair.
CHOW, my beauty, guess you won't
do much more telegraphing tonight
and he broke out into discordant
laugh.
HE evidently thought it amusing l
didn't.
"'Come on, boys he yelled I've got
this kid fast
"After a moment three or four men,
as well as | could judge with my back
to tue door, walked in.
"'Ha! ha! cap'n, you've got him, have
your and they all laughed roughly.
Jim, said the man addressed as cap
tain, have you got the spike lifter?
You bet | has, from one of the men.
"The captain then turned and ad-
dressed me.
Young man, no harm is intended
you if you keep perfectly quiet. Doubt
less your curiosity is very much aroused
as to our intentions. Well, it can do no
harm to enlighten you, as the mischief
will be done before you can give any
alarm. We intend'-and here the mans
voice became absolutely fendish-'to
take up two rails on that trestle out
there. Let us see, the fast mail is due
here at
"'My God man, l broke in with hor-
ror, surely you don't intend to wreck
the fast mail? Think of the lives that
will be lost if it runs off at that trestler
and great beads of cold perspiration
stood out on my forehead as / grasped
the full horror of the situation.
"The trestle referred to was about 100
yards north of the depot, and spanned a
very wide but shallow creek, fully sew
enty-five feet below. | knew if No 80
jumped the track on that trestle it meant
death to every person on board.
"'Jim,' cried the captain, you remain
here and keep your eye on this fellow.
If he moves kill him. The remainder of
you come and let's get to work
"Then all except Jim followed the
captain out and soon heard the metal
lie clink of the crowbar as it drew the
spikes from the rails.
"Oh, what could be done!
"My hands were bound so that / could
not reach the key, and even if tried the
outlaw behind me would send bullet
crashing through my brain. How could
/ warn the crew of No. 80 of the i'm
pending danger?
1.-The station ten miles above Rands re-
ported No. 80 on time. Soon it would be
at Rands Never did time pass so quickly.
1t was now 1887 o'clock and No. 80
must be coming into Rands. Suddenly
an inspiration flashed through me like
an electric shock. Why could ] not
warn No. 80 with my heel? In my lei
sure moments | had amused myself by
learning to send with my foot, never
dreaming that it would ever be an adj
vantage to me-
Il quietly pushed open the key with
my heel and called RI three or four
times as fast as possible, when | was in
terrupted by the desperate.
"'What air you wiggling your foot
about on that table forP
"'My foot has become cramped, re-
manning in one position so long l re-
piled, as carelessly as | could, although
my heart was in my throat.
"Tm so sorry he said sarcastically,
commenced calling r. again. 1t was
now 1910 o'clock and No 80 must have
left Rands
"Too latel Too late. Oh, my Godl
the agony Of those moments was terri
BILE.
"Ah, some one broke me; i-i-R.'
Robbers are going to wreck No. 80
- - l. 4. q l.