The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-23


his business, turned back to guard the
sagging. wire.
Jim glared with open contempt at
the people who pressed about him.
Folks are fools about electricity" he
.growled. "Just because the wire isn't
spluttering, they think it's dead!"
"Can you hold'it that way few min
utes?" asked Wayne, looking doubtful
ly at the blockade of vehicles on all
sides.
"Df course can!" said Jim, impa-
tiently. Il could hold it all day. Why
don't you move your teams? Have you
sent for Higgins YETI"
We've telephoned."
BY this time the other policemen had
come to Wayne's assistance, and the
corner was rapidly cleared. On the
farther track cars began to move north;
the motormen started them slowly and
passed cautiously under the hanging
wire, which Jim had Strengthened as
much as possible, and only the south
bound cars lay helpless in long line
on Main street.
what can be done with these?" asked
Wayne. "Nothing?"
There's switch on Main street
hundred yards away" answered Jim.
run back to the switch and take the
left track" he shouted to the nearest
conductor.
AS a general rule, a switchboy does
not give orders to a conductor; but
Officer Wayne stood beside Jim and
imperatively seconded his commands.
Word was passed along, and the line
of cars moved back to return on the
other rails.
The first motorman looked to Jim for
further directions.
run to the switch in trout of the
city hall, and shift back to the right
track" Jim turned to Officer Wayne.
That's ALL" he said. Keep 'ern NOV
ing, and tell 'em to mind their own
switches. I've got my hands full here"
On the corner near by stood group
of people who annoyed Jim with idle
questions and comments upon his cour-
age in holding the wire. Courage? He
had not thought of it, though he was
proud that he knew how to handle the
power.
But no one spoke of his particular in
vention until Higgins arrived, clad in
rubber boots and gloves which pro-
tected him from electric shocks.
"Have you got the wire, boy?" he
asked. whats that you're holding it
with? By George, you'll do" he
exclaimed, taking note of the glass in
se!ators. But why didn't you ground
the wire-touch it down to the rails ?"
Jim laughed. "And stop the cars!"
was his terse comment.
Higgins cast him shrewd glance,
and turned to his man. Here, Jones'"
he said, "catch hold of this contrivance.
Now, boy, We'll manage the rest of it.
Get back to your switches"
%He had grit" some one remarked, as
Jim ran off. THAT was risky thing
to do, wasn't it?"
eve have to take chances" Higgins
briefly answered. "The lad knew what
he was about"
But though he said little, he was
aware that this young employe of the
road had acted quite beyond his own
line of duty. For this reason he re-
ported the whole affair to the superin-
tendent, and Jim was summoned to ap-
| pear at the office after his days work.
! Ted heard the message, for since the
! episode of the broken wire he had hung
around his friend continually.
"What'll they give you, Jimmy?' he
asked, in hopef IL exciter>ent.
"Oh, maybe hundred shares of
stock and special car"
This reply was designed to tax the
ncwsboy's credulity, for Jim only
wanted a chance to display his inven-
ton. And like many another inventor,
he forgot that its work could be easily
done in different way.
The superintendent was reading his
evening paper when Jim entered the
Office. Common report among the en-
| ployes had made him q man of strict
rules and penalties; yet he did not seem
as austere as Jim had imagined. "Iwas
ordered to report here" said Jim, adj
vancing to the desk.
James Connolly, switchman at Ham,
ilton corner?" asked the superintend-
cnt.
THAT'S my NAME" :...s,<.ea<u.
"How old are your"
Seventeen"
break pretty well this afternoon. And
/ you kept the cars moving. How did you
handle the wire?"
with this" Jim had expected the
| question, and in quiet triumph he
passed his clamp over the desk. The
superintendent smiled queerly as he ex-
amined it.
Crude, but effective-and scientific"
he commented to himself Then aloud:
! Higgins has another method of pro-
tecting himself which you will perhaps
find moro generally convenient
He detected a look of disappointment
on the boys face, and added: "This
is certainly ingenious. How did you
happen to have the thing in your
pccket?"
Didn't happen" said Jim, bluntly.
Il always carry it; made it a-pur-
! pose"
For just such an emergency? You
seem to understand the power"
Il know you can manage it, but you
can't fool with it,"
That's So" the superintendent as
scented, pleasantly. "It doesn't stop to
joke. Well, your knowledge of that
fact is more valuable than your in
vention. There are other boys who can