The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1897-07-23
Under the Trolley Wires.
Bv Charles w. HarwOOd.
ME sharp ringing of a bell soun'

Corner. where the busiest thorough
fares OF Winchester meet. Close at hand
came a lake car, and Jim Connolly,
springing forward with his iron ROD,
shifted it around the curve into Center
street.
jim was switchboy for the Electric
Traction company. His post was the
middle OF the street, where all day long
lie lodged teams and turned electric
rcrs toward their various destinations.
It was late afternoon now: Jim was
tired and rather lonely, and as he
Glanced about for some acquaintance
his eyes lighted on Ted Casey standing,
with back to him, on the curbstone
Gear by. A bundle of afternoon papers
was tucked under Ted's arm, but he was
staring idly at fantastic poster.
The opportunity was irresistible. Jim
quickly looked four ways, and seeing
that the corner was now free from cars
ne darted over behind Ted and seized
;iim by the collar.
cav, le' me bel" cried Ted, deeply ag-
rricyed Then, twisting around, he
caught sight of his captor, and grinned
at him in friendly way.
why don't you sell papers?" de-
manded the older boy, releasing him.
THE last edition will come out before
long, ard you'll get stuck"
Coin ter" asserted Ted, stoutly.
'Say, Jimmie, what's that in your
pocket?" With sudden curiosity he
snatched at queer object which pro-
truded from the inside of his friends
coat.
Lee go!" Jim struck down the ven
turesome hand. That's my life-pre-
server. Want to see it?" And with all
Of an inventors pride he drew out a
peculiar sort of clamp which he always
carried about.
1t was formed of two pine sticks rude
j. whitfield into shape and hinged to-
gether at one end. On the inner side it's
Jaws were faced with strips of heavy
GLASS, whose use was not at once ap-
parent.
whats it for?" asked Ted.
''To handle live wires with. The glass
IS proof against electricity" explained
Jim.
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
ley do?"
They might break any time," Jim
replied, sagaciously. "You 60 and tend
to your papers; you haven't any bust
I, tl1 III ho
clamp into pocket, and, grinning sig
pifcantly, raised his ,switchrod as if to
strike the newsboy's leg.
But Ted glanced cunningly down the
street. cav, there's carl" he cried,
and forthwith seized the chance to dart
away and yell back derisively at his
friend.
They might break at any time" he
repeated, quite seriously. Once he had
ycntured to question Officer Wayne:
What would you do if wire broker
Live 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 Il hearty respect for the force
which kept all these cars in motion
Jim had picked up, from motormen
lincmen and engineers, a store of prac-
teal knowledge which he was eager to
put into use.
His opportunity had been long in com
ing, and this day promised to be as
monotonous as any other. But Is min
utes later the long-expected accident
occurred
y car from the west side came out OF
Pleasant street and started north. AS il
swung around the curve it's trolley
slipped off and caught between the cop
per wires, swapping one of them near
their junction.
The wire dropped into the street, and
for moment there was indescribable
confusion as it bounded and writhed
among frightened horses and scattering
Erlc. The corner was quickly cleared
and at safe distance ring of spec
tators formed to watch the wire spit.
ting out blue and green flames on the
pavement.
Down on his Center street switches
Tim had been startled by quick, jar.
ring ring of the wires. He did not need
the cries and commotion, the rush Of
feoile and the stopping of cars to tel
i'm what had happened. Instantly hi
saw that his chance had come, and run.
ring up he broke through the ring Just
It Officer Wayne's elbow.
Live wire!" he gasped, plunging g
Land into his coat pocket. 81 can fiz
III"
He had started forward impetuously
'3ut Wayne caught him by the arm and
l,rlled him back, understanding only
f',nt the boy meant to run into danger
Stand back!" said the officer, sharp
~. Don't you know live wire when
s'cu see it? If you touch that, you'll
rerer know what hurt you!"
ct won't hurt mel" cried the strup.
cling boy, in hot rage at this oppo.
sition. 1--WE got something to handle
it with"
But Wayne would not argue. "You
stay here!" he grufhy commanded
he quiet now! If you make any more
Trouble I'll arrest you'll"
Indignant as Jim was, he had toe
lhnch sense to contend longer with
the policeman. But he felt that he rep
resented the 'road," and he was not
yet defeated. Slipping back in the
crowd, he ran around its outer edge
and worked through at another point
whence he made sudden dash for the
wire.
a sharp, warning cry arose, for the
bystanders looked to see him instantly
killed. Wayne and others snrano for,