The herald., 1918-07-25

The chicago q 4NOIthNeSIeTH rdil-
ar buiIt an extension in South Da-
~. in 1891 which was known as
sDeadwoOd Hill"
The length of the extension is about
A., miles, with an average grade OF
snnrorimately one hundred and forty
Ave feet to the mile.
tn, DeadwOod yard was situated ON
:, extreme incline; and as cars would
az remain standing unless the hand
h,.kes were securely set, a derail
witch was placed at the lower end Of
the yard.
The railroad men Immediately called
.be extension "DeadwOOd Hill" It is
now more commonly known as "the
uur Soon after it was first operated
me ra, .roaders realized the chances Of
accident on the line, and many refused
a work on the perilOuS grade. As q
rpsrIlt. it was necessary to select a
rumber of reliable men of long expert
spce 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.
lin usually reported and waited I'M
n, he was called. When he appeared
no complained that he did not feel
suite so well as usual, but he respond
ed promptly to his call.
he performed the routine duties pre-
ceding a trip, then ran to the end OF
tbe yard; and as there were no cars
m 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 1t clear.
passed 1t, set 1t once more to the safe
~ position, and proceeded to the de-
rail beyond the tunnel. Here the op-
Grafton was repeated, and the short
train moved on its 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.
II was remarkable because 1t was so
sudden and unexpected. Perhaps Ii
was the Illness of which he had COM
planned or the strain of many trips
over the same line; in any event, in
( few minutes Jim's smiling placidity
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 and was
dallying with death.
The fireman rushed to Jim's side and
seized him by the sleeve.
whats the matter with you, Jimr
be beloved. "Are you crazy?"
Jim turned to him with a vicious
leer.
sMatterT The words rasped through
bis drawn, white lips. "Why, we're
on our way to the devil, and you're
going along"
BE laughed harshly, and the fireman
recoiled from him. Then in a flash
cane 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.
Ensping Jim by the shoulder, reached
for the throttle. Jim thrust aside his
detaining hand and, with a vigorous
push, sent him staggering toward the
tender.
Before he could regain his feet, the
engineer picked up a wrench and
waved 1t with menacing gesture.
TIL brain you." he grated. "if you
ny to Interfere. I'm running this en-
ginew
The fireman looked at him helpless
y. Jim was running to the devil and
death, indeed.
For moment he considered the
possibility Of overpowering Jim, but
Violent maniac with wrench is q
dangerous foe.
de glanced out Of the gangway and
watched the right-of-way rush by. The
peed was becoming more perilous
NTH every plunge of the drivers.
Jim sat leaning out of the window.
me fireman could scarcely stand, so
Violent was the lurching of the en-
cine.
de crept forward, but Jim turned
sad discovered him.
Back" he snarled at the fireman.
kemember, I'll brain you If you don't
nay where you belong"
Inc fireman stepped to the tender,
oN an apprehensive glance behind
4m, and, observing that Jim was once
more intent on his mad purpose, he
uAmbered over the coal and climbed
eown the steel ladder behind the ten
Gasping, he burst into the way-car.
"a the floor, their faces frozen with
eror, was the train crew. At sight
= the fireman, their mouths gaped
stupidity.
an few words he explained what
.ad occurred in the cab. and, after
one hesitation. they Joined him when
urged them to help him to overpow-
: me insane engineer.
Vhe by one they made their way in
hence to the cab. and then rushed at