Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-07-22

hundred yards away, answered JIM
Run back to the switch and take the
left tracll!" he shouted TO the nearest
conductor.
AS q general rule, switchboy does
not give orders to conductor; but
Officer Wayne stood beside Jim and
imperat;vely 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 'cin NOV
ing. and tell 'cm 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 tie
power.
But no one spoke Of his particular IN
yention until Higgins arrived, clad -
rubber boots and gloves which, pro-
tccted 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
sulators. But why didn't you ground
The wire-touch it down to the rails?'
jim laughed. "And stop the cars!"
was his tersc comment.
Higgins cast him a shrewd glance,
and turned to his man. Here, Jones" "
he said, catch hold of this continuance.
Now. boy, We'll manage the rest OF it.
Get back to your switches"
Gle had grit" some one remarked, as
Jim ran off. ''rhat was q risky thing
to do, wasn't it?''
'Iye 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 APP
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'H they give you, Jimmy?" he
asked, in hopeful excitement.
"Oh, maybe q hundred shares OF
stock and special car"
This reply was designed to tax the
newsboy's credulity, Tor jim only
wanted q 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-
ploves had made him a man of strict
rules and penalties; yet he did not seem
as austcre Us jim had imagined. u vas
ordered TO report here" said jim, ad-
yaucing to the desk.
James Connolly, switchrnan at Ham
lton corner?" asked the snperintend-
ert.
That's my name" ,.
GLOW old are you?" :.
Seventeen"
Higgins says you managed that
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 be
passed his clamp over the desk. Tie
superintendent smiled queerly as he ez-
amined il.
Crude, but effcctire-and scientific, "
he commented to himself Then aloud:
Higgins has another method Of pro
tecting himself which you will perhaps
find more generally convenient"
He detected look OF disappointment
on the boys face, and added: "This
is certainly ingenious. How did you
happen to have the thing in your
pocllet?"
Didn't happen" said Jim, bluntly.
IT always carry it; I made it a-pur-
pose"
For just such an emergency? You
seem 10 understand the power"
IT know you can manage it, but YOU
can't fool with it,"
That's So" the superintendent os-
scented, pleasantly. at doesn't stop &c
joke. Well, your knowledge Of thar
fact is moro valuable than your IN
yention. There are other boys who can
turn switches, and Higgins needs c
helper. lie asked for you. Tomorrow
you viii instruct the lad whom I shall.
send you, and on Monday you will re.
port to Mr.. Higgins. You are promoted
to the repair gang."-Youth's Compan
ion.