The Hope pioneer., 1918-04-18

| "Deadwood Hill"
The length of the extension is about
ten miles, with an average grade of
approximately one hundred and forty
five feet to the mile.
The Deadwood yard was situated on
an extreme incline; and as cars would
not remain standing unless the hand
brakes We're. securely set, derail
switch was placed at the lower end of
the yard.
The railroad men Immediately called
the extension ."Deadwood HILL" 1t is
now more commonly known as "the
HILL" Soon after it was first operated
the railroaders realized the chances of
accident on the line, and many refused
to work on the perilous grade. AS a
result, it was necessary to select n
number of reliable men of long experi-
>ence to run its trains.
Among those chosen, and he con-
sented without objection, was Jim.
Sunny Jim, it should have been, for he
was most genial and optimistic char
acter.
Jim usually reported and waited un-
til he was called. When he appeared
he complained that he did not feel
quite so we'll as usual, but he respond
ed promptly to his call.
He performed the routine duties pre-
ceding trip, then ran to the end Of
the yard; and as there We're no cars
to be taken out, he coupled to a way
car, obtained his running orders, and
started.
His engine ran to the derail in the
lower yard. stopped, set it clear.
passed it, set it once more to the safe
ty position, and proceeded to the de-
rail beyond the tunnel. Here the op-
Grafton was repeated and the short
train moved on it's way.
With almost five miles OF tortuous
track before them, they started down
the steep grade.
A great change passed over Jim as
they drifted down the mountainside.
1t was remarkable because it was so
sudden and unexpected. Perhaps it
was the illness of which he had COM
planned or the strain Of many trips
over the same line; in any event. in n
few minutes Jim's smiling placlity
was transformed into most irritable
nervousness. He snapped tartly at his
fireman.
At this point of the descent the en-
gineer was obliged to proceed with ut
most caution. Jim evidently had
kicked caution out of the cab ard was
dallying with death.
The fireman rushed to Jim's side and
seized him by the sleeve.
"What's the matter with YOU, Jim?"
he beloved. "Are you crazy?"
Jim turned to him with vicious
leer.
"Matter?" The words rasped through
his drawn. white lips. s'E7hy, we're
on our way to the devil, and you're
going along"
He laughed harshly, and the ereman
recoiled from him. Then in flash
came swift understanding. Jirl's mind
had overturned.
The fireman approached cautiously.
"Why, surely. Jim, I'm going along"
His voice was calm.
Quickly he lcaped forward and.
grasping Jim by the shoulder, reached
for the throttle. Jim thrust aside his
dctaining hand and. with vigorous
push, sent him staggering toward the
tender.
Before he could regain his feet, the
nm
waved it with menacing gesture.
"Tll brain you," he grated, ''if you
try to interfere. Tn running this en-.
gine!"
The fireman looked at him helpless.
ly. Jim was running to the devil and
DEATH indeed.
For moment he considered the
possibility of overpowering Jim, but
violent maniac with wrench is a
dangerous foe.
He glanced out Of the gangway and
watched the right-of-way rush by. The
speed was becoming more perilous
with every plunge of the drivers.
Jim sat leaning out of the window.
The fireman could scarcely stand, so
violent was the lurching of the en-
gine.
He crept forward, but Jim turned
and discovered him.
Back" he snarled at the fireman.
Remember, I'll brain you if you don't
stay where you belong"
The fireman stepped to the tender,
cast an apprehensive glance behind
MIN, and, observing that Jim was once
more intent on his mad purpose, he
clambered over the coal and climbed
down the steel ladder behind the ten.
der.
Gasping, he burst into the way-cor.
On the floor, their faces frozen with
terror, was the train crew. At sight
OF the fireman, their mouths ganed
stupidity.
In few words he explained what
had occurred in the cab, and, after
some hesitation, they joined him when
he urged them to help him to overnou.