Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-04-26
CRAZY JIM'S RIDE
BY l.. A.
Copyright by the Frank A. Munsey
Company

"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 were securely set, a 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 r%ailroaders 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 a
number of reliable men of long expert
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 a most genial and optimistic char
acter.
Jim usually reported and waited un-
I'll he was called. When he appeared
he complained that he did not feel
quite so well as usual, but he respond
ed promptly to his call.
He performed the routine duties pre-
ceding a trip, then raj to the end of
the yard; and as there were 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
~ position, and proceeded to the de-
rail beyond the tunnel. Here the OPP
GRAFTON was repeated, and the short
train moved on its way.
With almost five miles of t~ortuous
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
HhNNiNlI anu ltApVNlCu maps IL
was the illness of which he had COM
planned or the strain of many trips
over the same line; in any event, in a
few minutes Jim's smiling placidity
was transformed into q 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 and 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 a vicious
lecr.
"Matter?" The words raSped through
his drawn, white lips. "Why, were
on our way to the devil, and you're
going along"
He laughed harshly, and the fireman
recOiled from him. Then in a flash
came swift understanding. Jim's mind
had overturned.
The fireman approached cautiously
"Why, surely, jim, I'm going along
His voice was calm.
Quickly he leaped forward and
g%rasping Jim by the shoulder, reached
for the throttle. Jim thrust aside his
OBTAINING hand and, with a vigorous
push, sent him staggering toward the
tender.
Before he could regain his feet, the
engineer picked up Il wrench and
waved it with a menacing gesture.
"Tll brain you" he grated, "if you
try to interfere. Pm running this en-
CINE"
The fireman looked at him helpless
ly. Jim was running to the devil ant
death, indeed.
For a moment he considered the
possibility of overpowering Jim, bur
a violent maniac with a wrench Is {
dangerous foe.
He glanced out of the gangway ant
watched the r~ight-of-way rush by. The
speed was becoming more perilou:
with every plunge Of the drivers.
Jim sat leaning III Of the window
The fireman could scarcely stand, sc
violent was the lurching Of the en-
CINE.
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
him, 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-car
On the floor, their faces frozen with
terror, was the train crew. At sigh,
of the fireman, their mouths gaped
stupidity.
In a few words he explained what
had occurred in the cab, and, after
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