The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-07-07

ming on schedule. Sevcnfy-six, through
freight, southbound, would be little late
getting out Of Eighteenth Street because OF
waiting for three cars Of dressed beef com
ing in from Chicago over the 0. & c., but
he would provide for her against third
Sevcnty-6vc later on. AIT two O'Clock
Jimmie was almost alone in the dimly
lighted building. In the Office with him
was only Petey Ferguson, who copied on
that trick, and "the Fathead," staying
alter hours to memorize the rules, was in a
corner droning over his book In the next
room was the North End dispatcher, while
down below were the ticket agent and few
baggagemen, some Of them mapping during
the dullest hour Of the night. Except for
hall dozen through freight and passen-
ger trains the CIinch River Division slept.
snatching a few hours uneasy slumber be-
fore waking to the turmoil and fierce
struggle Of another day
In one Of the dark and silent offices in the
third story rat stole timidly out from his
hole, scurried across the room, and took
refuge in an unemptied waste-basket. On
the second floor, at the far end Of the long
building Jimmie called for some belated
20. So and entered them on his sheet.
The Fathead yawned sleepiIy, rubbed bis
eyes, and went home. Quiet, broken only
by the ticking Of the clock and the muffied
chattering Of sounder in the next room,
settled down over the big depot
Overhead his ratship made hasty exit
from the waste-basket A faint odor of
burning paper arose, and then tiny tongue
Of fame ran up the ceiled wall beside the
basket. Another followed, and another
The dry vanished wood smoked then
caught fire and burned on unnoticed Soon
the heat about the window cracked the
glass and 1t fell tinkling outward admitting
more air. The flames ate through parti-
ton, shot up into the attic, and roared
along under the metal roof. Just as Jim
mie began to feel an unusual warmth in
the room and catch slight Whit Of burning
wood an engine in the yards set up frantic
whistling. Others took it up The hoarse
voice of the shop whistle doomed out the
FIRE alarm Downstairs a telephone bell
rang insistently, shrilling high above the
clamor without Glancing out Of the win
dow, Jimmie saw glowing Pickering light
on the long lines Of freight cars standing on
the tracks below. AT the same instant the
door was flung open by the North End
Hey, you fellowsl" he
shouted, "The buildings all on fire. Get
out quick before the stairs gol
But Jimmie refused to be excited Such
emotion had no place in the traditions OF
his craft. He was dispatcher now and he
to act according to his own no
tions of one
Get the files and the typewriters out, "
he said to the loyal Petey, who still stayed
by for orders. Then come back after the
quad, instruments If you can"
B-but amt y-you going, toos"
Not now, snapped Jimmie. I've got
an order to give SeVenty-six at Nortondale
Or there'll be head-on. Hustle those files
now"
The mad whirring clatter Of gongs and
the sound Of galloping hoofs on frozen
ground came up family from below as the
Dispatcher, all alone in the upper part of
he depot, began calling Nortondsle. The
ire had caught him with an uncompleted
,rder out that made it imperative for him
o reach Number Seventy-six with a second
rider at that point But the Nortondale
operator, usually prompt to answer, seemed
Q have Left his key for the time being.
The perspiratiou dripped from Jimmieas
orehead as he called, md, ND, ND, DI"
rhe ceiling was beginning 10 smoke. Again
nd again he clicked off the 20" Of the
call, but from IND there
anne no answer
| amt coming back any more, painted /
'etey on his third trip with the type
riters Its too hot. You better come !
n out while YOU can.
In a minute, replied Jimmie, and he
'ent on calling s
Firebrands sailed blazing across the
ards. driven by the wind that had sprung
y. Switch engines shot up and down the
idder tracks. bumped into long strings Of
srs, andbore them out OF danger with ciang- r
lgbells and grea putting and whistling In {
,e glare he saw a lineman on top Of a tele-
raph pole in front Of the depot pouring B
ater on il from buckets which were being d
lsscd epto kius lssomades. On their c
iorts ,depended .tne Safety Of the wires. $
'ltii o sirklng sefs4iicn he remembered f
90 the oilS 6remenowould let the poles
rndowp father thau run the risk Of throw &
G water from hose on wires that might be
ossei with otl.srs Of Z fatal voltage n
Keep Il up. Keep q up. prayed Jimmie. s.
"a even as he snoke the glass in the tTuu- o
m cracked with ths heat and the siran-
.ns srok, can,c drifting in. There we're c,
~ iesr- n,srsssts lsit. no. time enough II
J hiin % mske A dasn ior the South Tower e,
the yard. and reach Il before Sevcnty-six a
i.s al Noft.n.8lf 81
SD, Nd, Nd, III, 9, Q. he called. E,
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