Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-11
Why not call it a Pinkerton tariff?
BY MY HEEL.

"Mr. Ransom please tell us how 1t Is
that YOU arc filling such responsible
position. and you not yet thirty years
old?"
This question was asked by one OF
crowd of four or five gentlemen seated
in tho handsome private Office OF Mr.
Ransom, superintendent Of transporta-
ton of the Chicago and Western railroad
at Omaha, Neb.
"Well," replied the superintendent, a
good looking young man Of twenty-six
or thereabouts, 'if you will have the pa
tien,e to liston will narrate briefly how
my heel caused my promotion and was
the means of saving many lives"
Give years ago was station agent
aud operator at Hamlin on this road,
The depot was the only building at
Hanlin, consequently had to do my
own cooking and sleeping in the depot,
getting my supplies from Rands, place
of about 800 inhabitants, eight miles up
the railroad.
at was about 10 o'clock on a hot,
sul,ry night in August. There did not
seem 10 bo "A breath of air stirring. The
windows were up and the doors were
| thrown open 50 as 10 admit all the air
| possible. No 80, the fast mail, had 10
DO reported before / could get good
night from the dispatchers and retire.
IL had pulled off my shoes ard had
nothing on my feet but my stockings.
As / was idly leaning back in my chair,
| my feet proppcd up on the instrument
table and lazily drumming on the key
with iy heel. | heard slight noise be-
hind Uc. Before | could turn around
TO ascertain Che cause mans harsh
voice rang out;
"'.lOvo an inch and you are dead
man and at the same moment felt the
cold mazzle Of a revolverp pressed against
my Lad.
"'.'ut your hands behind your back
and hook straight before you. command.
cd d.. aur voice sternly.
- oh"ycd alacrty.
"i'y hands were seized roughly and
bonn securely 90 the back of the chair.
"'now, my beauty, guess you won't
do much more tc!egraphing tonight,
and he broke ont into discordant
laugh
"ie evidently thought it amusing.
didn't.
""tywo on, boys he yelled. I've got
this l.i fast.
"Altcr moment three or four men,
as well as could judge with my back
10 the door, walked in.
"'Ila! ha! cap'n, you've got him, have
| youy and they all laughed roughly.
"Jim,' said the man addressed as cap
tain, have You got the spike lifterr
"'You bet has from one Of the men.
"Thc captain then turned and adj
| dressed me.
"'Young man, no harm is intended
you If you keep perfectly quiet. Doubt
| less your curiosity is very much aroused
as 10 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 fiendish--'to
| take mp two rails on that trestle out
there. Letus see, the fast mail is due
| here at
"'My God! man. 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 trestlel
and great beads Of cold perspiration
stood ont on my forehead as l grasped
the full horror Of the situation.
"Tho trastle referred TO was about 10(
yards north Of the depot, and spanned Q
very wide but shallow creek, fully sew
enty-hyo feet below. | knew il No. 8.
jumped the track on that trestle II meant
death to every person on board.
"'Jim, cried the captain, you remair
here and keep your eye on this fellow
II hc moves kill him. Tho remainder o
you come and let's get TO work
"Then all except jim followed tn,
captain out and soon heard the metal
lie chuk Of the crowbar as it drew tn,
spikes from the rails.
ooh, what could be done!
"My hands were bound so that coult
not reach the key, and even if tried tn
outlaw behind me would send q bulle
crashing th-o5gh my brain. How coul,
| warn the crew Of No. 80 Of the i'm
pending danger?
"The station ten miles above Rands re
ported No. 30 on time. Soon il would b
, at Rands. Never did time pass so quickly
It was now 10:37 o'clock and No
must be coming into Rands. Snddenl