The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1872-10-25
A Fearful Ride.

Tt was near the close of a beautiful
summer day, when two boys might
have been seen making their way to-
ward a beautiful garden, in which
another boy, about the age of fourteen,
was engaged i'm hoeing cabbages. His
name was Frank Hardy, and he was a
good and industrious boy, but easily led
astray.
The older one of the two boys, who
We're approaching the garden, was
named George Forest, and the younger
one was named William Lewis.
~ don't believe he will go,p said
George Forest to his companion, as they
neared the garden.
"We will try him, anyhow" said the
other
AS they approached him, Frank
raised his head, and saw his two COM
panions.
'iHow are you, boys?" said he, as they
approached him.. ,''Where are you go
ing ?" I
1--WE are going down to the depot to
see that new engine which came up yes
terday; it is going off about sundOwn
and we want you to 60 down with us to
look at it,"
az cannot,n said Frank, "for the last
words which my father said were that l
should not 20 away from the house till
he and the family came back, and that
will not be till after dark
"Ohl we will be back by that time, !"
said George, as he gave his companion
knowing wink, "and your father will
never know you have been away from
the house."
"Yet that would be disObeying him
II I..r to 4
turned Frank.
at would not be disobeying him"
said William Lewis, ''for if he were
here l am sure he would let you gon'
After a great deal of entreaty and
coaxing, the two boys persuaded Frank
to 20 down for little while and look at
the new engine, which had created such
a sensation.
When the boys came to the depot
they were very much surprised, for the
engine was not only there, but a fire
was also made in her furnace, and a
train of cars was attached to it, ready
for starting. The boys looked around,
but not a soul was in sight.
'Let us get in and examine her." said
the oldest of the two boys.
''No, no,n said Frank, 1--WE must not,
for we might break some Of the machin-
cry"
"Nonsense," said George, 1--WE need
not touch anything" and, as if with one
accord, the three boys jumped into the
engine, and began to examine the ma
chinery.
''What is this?n said William, snatch
ing hold of the throttle valve.
"Don't do that" said Frank; but il
was too late-the engine gave a puff,
and a snort, and was OIL in a second.
'Let us jump OIL" said George; and,
suiting the action TO the word, he
jumped off, followed by William, who
went "heels over head" as he landed on
the ground. Poor Frank, it was too
late for him to Jump Off, for on either
side were piles of wood, which had been
deposited there by the railroad men,
and hindered him from jumping. What
was he to do? lie snatched hold of the
throttle valve, but, alasi that made it
go faster.
The engine was now going at fearful
rate, and Frank tried several plans to
stop it, bat failed. 1t passed several
stations, going at its headlong speed,
and the people, standing Open-mouthed,
wondered what it all meant. Frank
was very nearly wild with fear. OH
how he wished he had not disobeyed his
father; and, down on his bended knees,
he prayed to his Heavenly Father to
bear him safely through this danger.
While Frank was standing, thinking
what to do, he remembered something
which almost paralyzed him. He re-
membered that the draw-bridge was al
ways kept Off every Saturday, to allow
the merchant vessels, that had collected
there, to pass by. On went the engine
at the same fearful rate. Poor Frank
began to feel dizzy and faint, and at last
sank down in n stupOr. When he
awoke, kind faces were leaning over
him.
"Where am 81 said Frank, but in an
instant he espied the face of his father,
and said, "Father, forgive me-"
81 forgive you freely said his father,
''for you have had punishment
enough.n
"But how came the engine to stop?"
said Frank.
His father explained as follows: The
engineer, who belonged to the engine,
not wishing to leave his engine alone,
had laid down in one of the passenger
cars, and had gone to sleep; aud perhaps
would have slept on, had not sudden
lurch of the cars thrown him off of his
bed with so great a violence as to wake
him. Surprised at the cars going, he
quickly made his way to the engine,
and found Frank in the stupor which
has been described. Hequickly stopped
the engine, and backed to the place
whence it came, and carried Frank
home. William and George were at
the depot, and they told the story to his
father, who freely forgave the boys, and
Frank says he will never forget that
afternoon on which he had such ''Fear-
full Ride"