Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-07-03
CHAPTER 4.
The Wreckino Ros..

son. WAS overseeing the making I'D OF
his wrecking train. and the yard. usu-
ally quiet at that hour OF the morning
vas alive with the hurry OF men and
engines. In the trainmaster's room Of
the weather-beaten headquarters build
ing nicknamed by railroad men The
Wickiup." early comers-sleepy-face
keen-eyed trainmen-lounged on the
tables and in chairs discussing the re-
ports from Point OF Rocks. and among
them crew-callers and messengers
moved in and out. Two minutes after
they had their orders and were pulling
out OF the upper yard. with right Of
way over everything TO Point OF
Rocks.
The wreck had occurred just west
OF the creek. A fast east bound freight
train, double-headed. had left the
track on the long curve around the
hill. and when the wrecking train
backed through Ten Shed cut the sun
streamed over the heaps OF jammed
and twisted cars strung all the way
from the point 81 the curve TO the foot
OF Smoky bill The crew Of the train
that lay in the ditch walked slowly
up the track 20 where the wreckers
had pulled up and the freight conduc-
tor asked for Sinclair Men rigging
the derrick pointed to the hind car.
The conductor swinging up the ca
boose steps made his way inside
among the men that were passing out
tools. The air within was blush
thick with tobacco smoke. but
through the haze the frelghtman saw
facing him. IN the far corner OF the
den-like interior. man seated behind
an old dining-car table. finishing his
breakfast; one glimpse was enough 10
Identity the dark beard OF Sinclair
foreman Of the bridges and boss OF the
wrecking gang
Beside him stood q steaminr coffee
tank. and In his right hand he held an
enormous tin cup that he was about 10
raise 10 his mouth when he saw the
freight conductor. With a laugh. Sin
clair threw up his left hand and beck
oned him over Then he shook his
hair just little. tossed back his head.
opened an unusual mouth. drained the
cup at gulp. and cursing the freight.
man fraternnlly. exclaimed. How
many cars have you ditched this
time"
The troinman, n sober.faced fellow.
answered. dryly. An ] had"
Running too fast eh?" glared SIN
clair
With the box cars Piled 40 feet high
on the track. the conductor was too
old hand 20 begin a controversy.
Our times "a z" was all he said
Sinclair rose and exclaimed: Come
on" And the two. leaving the car.
started up the track. The wrecking
boss paid no attention 20 his com
panion as they forged ahead. but
where the train had hit The curve he
scanned the track as he would a blue
print They'll have your scalp for
this" be declared, abruptly.
Il reckon they will"
What's your name?"
stevens"
Looks like all day for you, doesn't
NJ No matter; guess can help you
cut"
Where the merchandise cars Law.
below the switch. the train crew knew
that a tramp had been caught. AT
Intervals they heard groans under the
Wreekage. which was piled high there
Sinclair stopped at the derrick. and
the freight conductor went on 10
where his brakeman had enlisted two
OF Sinclair's giants 10 help get out the
tramp. brake beam had crushed the
mans legs. and the pallOr OF his face
showed that ne was hurt internally.
but he was conscious and moaned soft
ly. The men had started 10 carry him
TO the way Ger when Sinclair came
up. asked what they were doug. and
ordered them back 10 the wreck. They
hastily laid the tramp down. But he
wants water. protested brakeman
who was walking behind, carrying his
arm in a sling.
Water" bawled Sinclair. Have
my men got nothing 10 do but carry
a tramp 60 wafer? Get ahead there
and help unload those refrigerators.
Hell find water fast enough. Let the
damned hobo crawl down TO the creek
after f."
The tramp was too far gone for re-
sentiment; he had tainted when they
laid HAM down. and his halfglazed
eyes, staring az the sky gave no evil
dence that he heard anything.
The sun rose hot for In the Red
desert sky there is rarely a cloud.
Sinclair took the little hin nearest
the switch TO below his orders from.
running down among the men when
ever necessary 10 help carry them out.
Within 80 minutes. though apparently
10 impression had been made on the
great heaps OF wrenched and splin-
tered equipment. Sinclair had the lob
in hand
The freight conductor. stevens
afraid OF no man. had come IN 10
speak to Sinclair, and Sinclair. with
smile. laid cordial hand on his
shoulders Stevens, it's an right. IN
get you out of this. Come here" He
led the conductor down the track
where they had walked In the morn
ing He pointed 30 fiange-marks on
the ties See there-there's where
the first wheels left the track, and
they left on the inside OF the curve;
. thin fange under the first refrigera-
tor broke. I've got the wheel itself
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