Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-19
BY MY HEEL.

BY MY HEEL.
''Mr. Ransom. please tell as how II .
that you are filing such . responsible
position. and you not yet thirty years
oldY'
This question was asked by one Of .
crowd Of four OF FIVE gentlemen seated
in the handsome private Office Of Mr.
Ransom, superintendent Of trsnsporta-
ton Of the Chicago and Western railroad
ct Omaha, Neb.
"Well." replied the superintendent,
good looking young man Of twenty-six
or thereabouts, IF 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.
1T was about 10 o'clock on . hot,
sultry night in August There did not
seem to be breath Of air stirring. Tho
windows were up and the doors were
thrown open 80 as to admit all the air
possible. No. SO, the fast mail, had to
be reported before could get good
night from the djspatchers and retire.
II had pulled of my shoes aad had
nothing on my feet but my stock:ags.
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 slight noise be-
hind me. Before | could turn around
to ascertain the cause . mans harsh
voice rang out:
"'Move an inch and you are . dad
man. and at the same moment felt tho
cold muzzle Of revolver pressed against
my head.
"'Put your hands behind your hack
and look straight before you,' command
: ed the same voice sternly.
II obcyed alacrity.
L
bound securely to the hack Of the chair.
"'Now, my beauty. guess you won't
do much moro telegraphing tonight.
and he broke out into . discordant
laugh.
He evidently thought It amusing.
didn't.
"'Come on. boys he yelled. I've got
this kid fast
After . moment three or four men.
- well ~ l could judge with my back
4 to the door, walked in.
cha! hal capn, you've got him, havs
i your and they all laughed roughly.
"'Jim,' said the man addressed ~ cap
tain. have you got the spike liftery
"'You bet / has, from one Of the men.
"The captain then turned and I'D.
dressed me.
"'Young man, no harm IL intended
you il you keep perfectly quiet. Doubt
less your curiosity 10 very much aroused
~ to our intentions. Well, il can do nc
harm 10 enlighten you, - tho mischief
viii Be done before you can give any
alarm. We intsnd'-snd here the mans
voice became absolutely 6endish-'tc
take up two rails on that trestle on,
there. Let US zee, the fast mail u due
here at
"'My God' man. / broke in with hor
ror, surely you don't intend TO wrecA
the fast mail? Think Of the lives thai
will be lost If IL runs on ut that treetie'
and great beads Of cold Precipitation
stood out on my forehead ss I graeped
the full horror Of the situsfion.
The treetle referred to was about l0t
yards north Of the depot. and spsnned &
very wide but shallow creek, fully sew
enty-five feet below. I knew il No. 8:
jumped the track on that treetle Il mean
death to every person on board.
"'Jim,' cried the captain, You remain
here and keep your eve on this fellow
II he moves kill him The remainder 81
you come and let's get 10 work
Then all except Jim followed IN,
captain out and soon ! heard the metal
lie clink Of the crowbsr ~ IL drew tn,
spikes from the rails.
"Oh, what could be done!
MY hands were bound % thst conii
not reach the key. and even IL tried ia.
outlaw behind me would send bulle
crashing th-o- gh my brain How couls
] warn the crew Of No. 81 Of the in
pending dangerf
The station ten miles above Rsnds re-
! ported No 81 on time Soon II wonld h
81 Rands. Never aid time pAss - quickly
II wss now 1877 o'clock ard No q
must be coming into Ren3s suddenl'
sn inspiration flashed through me lii4
sn electric shock. Why could ] M
wzrn No 30 with my heel In my lei
sure moments had smused myself b.
learning 10 send with my foot. neve
dreaming thst n would ever ~ a "a
vantage r. me
Il quisfly pushed open the boy I'D
ny he>l sDd called r. three a TOO
time, ~ East ~ possible. when vss IA
terrtxsed by the despersdo.
Wfssf sir yen wige1fng your Too
sssoas On that t.hae fsrY
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