The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-05-29

operator at this old blue grass town,
from Sadieville, the water tank station
IL miles north, where his duties had
been confined to the routine of report
ing passing trains, an occasional train
order, and sweeping out the office In
the morning
Jerry was on the rise. He felt It.
and thirsted for greater things. His
chief ambition was to rise in the serv-
ice. How to obtain the coveted ad-
vancement had become an allabsorb-
ing question with him, and the subject
of his nightly medltations.
Once, when Jerry had reverted to
the matter in conversation with Con,
the roadmaster, the latter said There
are different ways of getting promoted,
just the same as there are different
ways of skinning a cat. Probably the
quickest way is to keep your wits
about you, and when an emergency
comes along grab hold Of 1t and handle
It,"
Jerry eagerly drank in these words
of wisdom as they fell from the lips OF,
the road master. This was a new
phase of the question that had never
presented itself to him before. He
pondered long and deeply over it. Yes
this was undoubtedly the solution,
the secret of success, the key to pro-
motion, the one thing needful to bring
him favorable official recognition.
With the enthusiasm of youth, he
resolved that if ever an emergency
came his way, he would be right there
to meet 1t. AS a natural sequence, as
a means to an end, Jerry began to long
for the emergency. The longing In
tensified itself until the very inner
most recesges of Jerry's soul cried out
for an emergency.
1t was on the night of the memor-
able Charleston earthquake. No. IS,
north-bound freight, hadNpulled noisily
down the long siding, and settled for a
drowsy wait for No. s, south-bound
passenger, with the engine standing
Just opposite the telegraph office win
dow. The silence was broken only by
the occasional chug-chug Of the air
pump.
Jerry was beguiling the time by
alternately practising the letter p on
closed key and listening TO passing
messages going over the through wire.
He had Just succeeded in rounding
out a p to his entire satisfaction,
when he was startled by hearing MeTi-
dian, Miss. break in on the through
wire with, Earthquake here" signing
his Office call. A moment later another
off nf IN
the same information. Then another
and another, still nearer, signing their
calls in turn.
Great Scott!" exclaimed Jerry.
"An earthquakes coming this way,
and they are spreading the alarm"
AS he sat tense and alert in his
chair, waiting for and yet dreading
further confirmation of his fears, low
rumbling sound struck his ear. The
window panes began to vibrate and
the sashes to rattle.
Jerry sprang to his feet with
blanched face and shaking limbs, sick
ening fear gripping at his heart. There
flashed across his excited brain a
vision of toppling buildings. and his
first impulse was to fly TO the open
air.
But with that flash there came an
other mental picture of swaying
bridges, falling trestles, upheaved
track and twisted steel.
He must stick to his post and give
the alarm. For a moment, feeling
of elation, almost Joy. struggled with
his fear, as he realized that at last an
emergency hgd 9one.
He grasped the key with trembling
fingers, called up division headquar.
ters, clicked on the fateful words.
Earthquake here" signing his Office
call, and then, wild terror grasping
him again and winging his feet, he fed
panicetricken from the room.
AS he emerged from the depot build
ing he electrified the engine crew by
screaming at the top of his voice
Earthquake! Earthquakes coming!"
Not until the astonished fireman,
standing in the gangway, inquired So
licitously, whats hurtin ye, sonny?"
did he realize that what he had taken
for the premonitory rumbling Of dis
astrous seismic disturbance had been
produced by that sooty individual turn
ing on the blower" of that big freight
engine.
(Copyright)
Distinction and Difference.