Backstory

Hiram Kettle, known to most as "Kettle," was born in 1832 in the heart of Shadewood Hollow. Raised in a modest home, he grew up surrounded by the grit and clatter of trains and trade. His father worked as a railhand, and his mother mended uniforms for railway workers, instilling in Hiram a sense of obligation toward the movement of goods and people. From a young age, he displayed an odd fixation with order, tapping his fingers on surfaces and recounting train schedules aloud like hymns.

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As he grew older, his quirks became more pronounced. His fingers never stopped drumming, and his eyes darted about like he was waiting for something unseen. Despite his peculiar habits, he was hired as a station clerk at the Shadewood Hollow Train Station when it was founded in 1862. There, his attention to detail proved valuable, though his constant rechecking of schedules and passenger lists earned him a reputation as "the man who counts twice."

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Known for his jittery nature, crooked spectacles, and ever-present trio of coins (a penny, a nickel, and a dime) on his windowsill, Hiram insists, "You never know who's takin’ the last ride." This phrase has only fueled the rumors about him. Locals claim Hiram "forgets" to log certain passengers on the ledger when asked politely — or when asked by those with heavy coin purses or wide-brimmed hats. Some say the coins are a superstition, payment to unseen forces for safe passage.

 

Despite his unnerving presence, Hiram is tolerated because he’s necessary. The trains come and go, and Hiram ensures the ledgers are filled — or not — as needed. His eyes may flicker with unease, but his hands are steady when counting the coins that always reappear on the sill.

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