The San Francisco call., 1910-08-07

CtteG at once. some wire was beCuTeO
and line built from the tank house to
the train and there connected with the
lighting circuit
Jimmy first attached an electric light
to the circuit and then connected up
his instruments. In a few minutes the
work was completed and he pressed his
sending key. The flash of the spark
drew q crowd Of passengers from the
train. who were very much interested.
Flash after flash was sent out by the
boy, giving distress signal to who
ever might chance to receive 1t. Then
Jimmy closed the key and waited. In
a few moments reply came. 1t was
from town few hundred miles away
and was evidently sent by powerful
coil.
Jimmy gave the details of the situa-
tion, with instructions that the railroad
company be notified, that they might
send out a construction train and re-
pair the bridges. The distant operator
promised to do this at once, and about
half an hour later sent in an acknowl-
edgment of the message to the railroad
from the division superintendent.
With great relief the passengers en-
Joyed their evening meal in the dining
car, and many were the compliments
Jimmy received. He was invited to
have dinner with several parties but
thought it best to stay by his outfit in
1t is well that he did
Evening was now well advanced, and
the boy, worn with the excitement of
the day, was leaning over the rough
bench, about half asleep. Suddenly
there came his call: "J-J-J-J" He
opened his key and sent out an answer
ing flash.
Hurriedly theAmessage came. It had
come from the west side around by San
Francisco and Denver to the town he
was in communication with, and thence
to him by wireless, and said that an
extra" was following the stalled train
and ought to be along at any time.
With the trestle out and no way Of
halting the train, 1t looked as If it
would rush headlong to destruction.
The boy remained cool in the face Of
this alarming information. He replied
at once that every effort would be
made to stop the extra" and closing
the key he dashed to the station.
His uncle was not about and there
was no time to hunt for him. He called
to his aunt and hurried1y told her Of
the message, asking her to tell Uncle
Dick and the trainmen; then he seized
a lantern and sped up the track.
AS he neared the trestle his worst
fears were realized. A turbid, swollen
stream had filled the creeks bed and
to get across seemed out of the ques-
tion And yet, beyond the broken
bridge, train was rushing to disaster.
At his side was tall telegraph pole,
its wires down, and the crossarms
twisted and broken. But he remem-
bered that from near the top Of this
4 pole heavy guy wire had swung across
the creek, bracing the pole. Was 1t
still there?
He held the lantern high, but could
not see by it's light. For one moment
he hesitated, then hooking his arm
through the bail Of the lantern he
started to climb the pole.
Higher and higher he climbed till he
reached what was left of the lower
crossarm. Just above 1t he felt the
guy wire; 1t still swung taut across
the creek.
Perched on the arm he unfastened
one side of the handle Of the lantern
and hooked II over the heavy strand,
then, grasping the lantern with both
hands, he swung off into the darkness.
Faster and faster he flew through
the air. The heavy wire handle OF the
lantern grew hot in his hands and
seemed to be wearing through. Then
he felt his feet drag on the ground
and knew he was safe. He had crossed
the creek.
And none too soon. Even as his
numbed fingers unlocked the wire he
heard the whistle of the fast approach
ing train. Scrambling to the track he
wildly swung the light which alone
could save the situation.
Would they see it? They must! they
must! With every nerve tense he hur-
ried on. Then came recognition. The
whistle shrilled and there was a crash
OF grinding brakes and the hre flew
from wheels and rails.
But Jimmy had dropped. Strong
arms picked up the unconscious form
and calloused hands worked tenderly
to revive him. Soon he opened his
eyes.
"Was I in timer" he asked.
The railroad company was so pleased
with Jimmy's heroic services that they
wrote Uncle Dick for full particulars
regarding the boy. A few weeks later
Jimmy received big, official looking