Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-07-22
Under the Trolley Wires.
~-~>ooo~>~e-
By Charles w. Harwood.
THE sharp ringing of bell sounded
clear above the tnmult of Hamilton

fares Of Winchester meet Close at hand
came Q lake car, and Jim Connolly,
eyrinninq forward with his iron rod,
,biftcd ii around the curve into Center
street.
jim was svitchboy for the Electric
Traction company. His post was the
middle of he street, where all day long
me dodscd te.ms and turned electric
~ars toward tNcir various destinations.
If WAS lace afternoon now: Jim was
1;,eI a0l rather lonely, and as he
,iaue.l aJcut Tor some acquaintance
his eyes. i.al:ed on Ted Casey standing,
with back 10 him, on the curbstone
near hv. 4 l-ndlc Of afternoon papers
~ t;,ei,,,. u. Ter Ted S arm, but he was
starring idly q, fantastic poster.
raeoouoItu .ity was irresistible. Jim
..ic}iv Looked four ways, and seeing
FRAT Ire corner was now free from cars
H., la.lel over behind Ted and seized
him b., the collar.
..lv. a. ne beI" cried Ted, deeply ag-
grieyad. Then, twisting around, he
,ou1lt sight o. his captor, and grinned
=. him - friendly way.
'WRy dent you sell papers?" de-
7nandad The oder boy, releasing him.
"yhe last eds on viii come out before
long. and you'G get stuck"
coin Ter" asserted Ted, stoutly.
"Say. jimmie what's that in your
roeIet?" With sudden curiosity he
:.aatched - queer object which pro
7rvleJ from the inside of his friends
coat.
lie co." jim struck down the ven
turesome hand. That's my life-Prc-
server. Want TO see it?" And with all
Of an inventors pride he drew out a
peculiar sort CT clamp which he always
carried about.
1t was formed Of two pine sticks rude
" Whitfield into shape and hinged to-
Fethcr at one end. On theinner side its
avs were faced with strips Of heavy
,-iass, whose use was not at once ap-
parent
whats it for?" asked Ted.
To handle I've wires with. The glass
: proof against electricity" explained
Him.
Ted eyed the strange instrument with
increased respect. Did any live wires
ever get loose round here?' he asked,
eagerly. 'Say, Jimmie, le' me try it If
they do?"
"They might break any time" Jim
replied, sagaciously. You go and tend
10 vour papers; YOU haven't any bust
moss with tae power." lie dropped the
clamp mo q -.ocllet, and, grinning sig
uifc2H.ll-, raised his switchrod as II to
strife tbe new boys leg.
Gut led Ga ced cunningly down The
street. "au. here's carl" he cried,
and forthwith seized the chance to dart
away aaa ", back derisilely at his
friend
.-,liev might break at any time" he
repeated. quite seriously. Once he had
ventured 10 question Officer Wayne;
"Wbat would you 90 if wire broker
Give wire? I'd clear the street and
send for Higgins" higgins was fore:
man OF the repair gang. 'If it dropped
onto anybody I'd have to ring up the
ambulance, Of course"
With a hearty respect for the force
which kent al these cars in motion
Jim had pic,.ed up, from motormen
luemen and engineers, a store Of prac-
teal knowledge which he was eager to
put into use.
lis opportunity had been long in com
ius, ard this day promised to be as
inunotonous T. any other. But Is min
ptes later thg long-eXpected accident
occurred.
4 car from tle west side came ont OF
Peasant stree and started north. AS Ii
swung around the curve its trolley
slipped of and caught between the cop
per wires, swapping one OF them near
their junction.
The wire dropped into the street, and
for a moment there was understandable
confusion as IL bounded and writheo
among frighte4cd horses and scattering
ucople. TIE co.ner was quickly cleared
and at saie distance q ring Of spec
tators formed to watch the wire spit
ting cut blue md green flames on tAt
pavement.
Down or his Center street switches
Jim had bee startled by Q quick, jar
mo li..a OF IT,, wires. lie did not need
he cries Cd connection, the rush OF
people and TIC stopping Of cars 70 tel
INN what had happened. Instantly ht
saw that his chance had come, and run
ming Up he bro.;e through the ring just
at Utncer Wayne's elbow.
Live wire!" he gasped, plunging {
hand into his coat pocket. Il can 1i2
ST."
lie had started forward impetuously
In WAYNE caught him by the arm anc
pulled h.44 .4cli, understanding only
that lie hoy r,eart 10 run into danger
Stand lacl.." said the officer, sharp
l.. 'Don's 5ot know live wife wheT
YOU see Il? b, you touch that, you'll
gcyer know What hurt you"
1T WON'T lu4t mel" cried the strug
f-,jnz boy. il hot rage at this oppo
s;;tion. I've ct something to handle
= with"
Bat Wayne would not argue. "Yol
RAY lere!" lie srufiy commanded
'Be quiet row. II you make any 1nor'
uouble Ill arrest you!"
Graia1aat as jim was, he had to'
4nuc4 sense ~ contend longer witt
tie policeman. But he felt that he rep
resented the road" and he was no
yet defeated. Slipping back in tn
crowd, he ran around its outer edg'
and worked through at another point
whence he made a sudden dash for tn
sSice.
: sharp, waning cry arose, for tn
DrstaD6e,s K, Sed to see him Instant.
killed Wavas and others sprang for
,eard. NV, .e they could reach jim
ia had 2c.1e4 scirtiilating wire wit
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his clamp. lie raised it from the pave
me4t, oal 10! the live thing became