Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-27


The gates open. Daisy; see therer
and Rob was on his feet in an instant.
The gate To which he referred was AZ
directly to the platform Of the freight de
pot, through which coal or merchandise
for the stores was often carried, bu
which was seldom left open q momen
longer than necessary. TO Rob's great dis
gust. for the forbidden ground on th,
other side of that fence had great attrac
tons for the restless boy.
Let's go and just peek out, /" said Rob
and. taking his unresisting little sister.
hand, started for the open gate.
oh, my! see that great big freight.
car standing there all by itself. It's Close
to the platform, Daisy, and we could ge'
into II just as easyl I wonder how !,
looks inside. I've mind to go and JUS
peekn'
g But you mustn't, you know" said 8
voice down under Rob's buttons.
but / never saw the inside of a
freight-car, and we needn't stay but q
minute said Rob. determined not to NO.
tice the voice.
but, Rob, what would mother say ~
said the voice again.
80 bother." said Rob. "Motnef won't
care if we go just minute; she said we
mustn't go into the street, and this ism,
anywhere near the street. Come, Daisy
taking his little sisters hand, and trying
very hard to feel sure that he was doing
right; and tie next moment the two chill.
dren mad passed through the gate up on
the platform and from thence into the car,
which, after one peek" seemed to pre-.
sent temptations too great To be resisted.
"Aint ii jolly" exclaimed Rob.
"Dollyr' echoed little Daisy.
snow" continued Rob, "let's play
house. I'll be Mr.. Rob, and you'll be
Mrs. Rob, and you must stay home and
keep house while l go and be baggage
man at the depot"
There happened to he baggage-truck
lying inside the car, which suggested this
employment to the little boys mind; and,
though i. required all of his strength TO
manage 1t, he took great delight in trun-
ding it about, imagining it laden with
baggage.
Daisy's housekeeping duties were not
very arduous, and the fun seemed to be
getting rather presided, and the little
girl, beginning to feel sleepy and tired,
Deggeu 10 go nome.
"Oh, no, not quite yet" said Rob, who
had forgotten all about the voice and his
determination to stay but minute.
"We'll play it's night, Daisy, and go to
bed," and, raking together some loose
hay that was scattered about the car, he
succeeded in making very comfortable
couch, and, lying down, both we're soon
fast asleep.
And how soundly they slept So sound.
ly that the shrek of the locomotive and
the rush and rumble of a passing express
train had not power TO waken them; and
when, little while after, another engine,
by long train of freight-cars,
came painting and putting down TO The de-
pot, still the children slept; and when,
after deal of switching off and backing
up, the whole train came with thump
and chang against the car in which Mr..
and Mrs. Rob were so costly domesticated.
and the whole train again moved off,
taking them with 1t, still they were un-
conscious.
On and on went the train; out of the
village, across the river, down through
the meadow; now twisting around the
curve, then shooting straight ahead over a
long line OF high trestle-wo then dash
ing into the wood, leaving Rob's native
town and the brick block far behind and
out of sight. Still on and on went the
train, faster and faster, and the empty car
in the rear swayed from side 10 side, lull-
ing the children to faster slumber. Occa-
the whistle shrieked, the bell rang
and the huge engine stopped, pulling,
fixing and snorting with impotence until
everything was in readiness for fresh
start--and still the little sleepers were un-
disturbed.
"Och, an be jabers, what's this, thinr'
exclaimed Mike O'Flanagan, the good
natured brakeman, who, on entering the
empty freight.car, stumbled overthe sleep
ing children. 1.-TWO babies, as sure as
the worried, )" said he, STOPPING and gently
touching Rob's cheek with his rough fin
ger, which had the effect TO waken the lit
tie fellow at once, and starting to his feet
he exclaimed.
"Oh, how long we have slept! It's
time for mother to be home, Daisy; and,
oh. whatever will she sayY Please, sir. let
US get out at once. Oh, dear what makes
the car shake so?'
Because it's goin' at the rate Of twinty
miles the hour" said Mike, with broad
grin. but wharf are We doin' here,
anyhow Ye're two precious babbies TO
be all alone on the train, and night com
in on. Who sin; We off like this, I'd like
to know
"Oh, deari oh, dearr' cried Rob- I'VE
came In here to play, and | s'pose We went
TO sleep; and now the Car 10 carrying US
off Won't you stop it, sir, 50 that Daisy
and can get outs for mother'l II be home
and be SO scared about u.s.
AYE, aye, my lad Mother'll have a
good scare afore she'll see the likes Of yes
again. Be jabers, boy, ye're close 10 the
big ethyl But / must be off tendin' To
me brakes. Stop quiet where ye are now
till come back, and I'll see what can
be done wild ye." And before Rob had
time TO reply the man went out, leaving
the little fellow in an agony Of terror and
remorse.
Soon the cars stopped, and very soon
Mike again appeared, accompanied by a
tall, bearded stranger, who looked so fierce
that Rob began to tremble. But as soon
as the stranger spoke the boys fears van
ished ut once, for the voice was very ten
der and kind.
Poor little waifs," he said. "you are
in bad fix, sure enough; but II might be
worse. Nothing but a baby" said he,
taking little Daisy In his strong arms.
/" NV eyei what time the mother must be
havingi What's your name, my man."
turning 10 Rob, who was clinging TO
Mikes grimy hand
"Rob, SIR" said the little fellow; land