The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1877-02-23

well, did the flying trapeze and all
that sort oi thing in the Grand Trahs-con-
tlnentai and ever So many other things cir
Gus Huinbug We're better as it
turned out for us. Yet we might have got
our pay il ii bad have been IA success But
we bad hard time of it. The public
didn't appreciate-horses gave out Wagons
broke down, the premiere equestIicne' ran
away With Bones of thr side show, funds
ran low, the great polar bear wanted his ice.
became disgusted and turned up his toes,
the zebra passed in his checks. and the re-
suit was we became flat broke and had to
leave our baggage aud take the tramp
home"
Been there myself" said John, becom-
ing interested.
Then needn't tell you what sort of a
time have had footing it, stealing rides
and b"gging something to eat
bad enough in summer, "growled John.
but now? Talk of the north pole, [
/ thought ] should freeze tn Death in that old
tank with the water dripping ana freezing
around me, and IL you hadn't taken care of
me, guess I'd have thrown myself under the
cars ana made an end Of the thing. No use
fighting hard times forever"
''Chcer up. You are all right now-that
is to the end Of my run. Then you shall
go home with me and recruit bit, and it
Will go hard If can't manage to get YOU a
of the road. It is against all orders, but
John Lathrop has heart in him that won't
see any one suffer il he can help it.''
Ills presence attested the truth Of his
words. He was tall, Sroad shouldered and
deep clieSted and his face told of goodness
iii every feature, anh his manner, if bluff,
was hearty. In the physical the stranger
was his opposite. Yet his flame was
strongly knit, and his muscles, trained by
severe and long Continued exercise until
they stood out like whiUcords strictly obey
ed his VIII and were firm as steel, and daf-
ing flashed fIom his black eyes and was
revealed hy every line about his mouth.
Il don't know" he said. looking at the
engineer thank fully, '-how am ever to pay
you. Ny life was certainly saved, aud it
may be can do you good turn some day.
Ii the chance comes you can depend upon
my doing it for | am not one TO forget a
favor
Il believe it, but don't think of my Civ
ing you a ride aud "A bite. It's no more than
any man that wasn't brute would have
done, and who knows but either me or my
the same kind
''Gour boy ?''
Yes, the brightest cutest little chap you
ever saw. I'll show him to you to morrow
Yes, and my wife ton-,just the prettiest,
dearest little woman that ever walked in "a
pair of shoes"
No. Ninety-nine was running smoothly
and steadily along. 1t WAS Sunday morn
ing and there was nothing in the wav-not
even an mp train to pass until John Larhrop
wonld uncouple his iron Steed and put him
III the great round stable - rest and he
cleaned for twenty four nours. So while
the fireman kept his eyes ahead John seated
himself and while Keeping watch OF the
steam guage and his eyes open. told of his
IL Inf IL.
home happiness, and the bright eyed, hlithe
hearted ones that were waiting there to
welcome him.
THE life of an engineer "he said 'has is
ups and downs the same any other, and
is full of danger, and requires sharp look
out, a strong hand and quick decision. |
know one is never safe, ard my Jennie often
talks Of wha! narrow escapes I've had. and
shivels as she thinks how others have been
killed running over this very ro2d.'
w hy don't you give il up?''
''Well. there S an excitement about IT, I
like and the pay is certain, although it
amt what it ought to be, for the risks we
run and how we ever carry cur lives in our
hands as one might say'' Keep sharp
lookout. Jack" TO the fireman.) Il re-
member well running over this very same
section on such night rs this, some three
years ago, and going smash through the
culvert over the Big Stony and breaking
things generally. Engine, tender and half
a d"zeu cars were stove and piled up to-
gethe:; my fireman killed, and | was drag
ged out from under the wreck, pretty bad
scalded and used up. But my time hadn't
come yet, and was soon OH the road again
and
Something on the track. Looks ike
somebody waving lantern, but the sleet
is so thick | can't rightly make it out"
shouted the fireman..
1,.h / IA H.,
the whistle shrek like an imprisoned and
tortured fiend, reversed the engine aud
wiistled on brakes But his trained eye
say that it was no nse-that lie could not
cheek the headway of the heavy train in
time to avert innning over the object, he it
what it might, for the rack was so naI row
and walled in by high emban X ments that
escape was impossible. Besides they were
upon the something upon the track before
they were aware of it having just rounded
a curve.
There is my home" gasped John,
pointing out into Ne gloom. 'rhe Big
Stony is just ahead and oh, my God
LII the culvert should have given away and
/ my boy have come to give warning -
Your home-your boy?' echoed the
tramp.
Great Heaven yes,' and the strong
man became unneIved aid robbed of all
decision.
1T is boy" shouted the fireman, ''and
may God have mercy on his soul, believe
it is your JOHN"
The y 'sseuger sa id nothing. but a wild
determination flashed from his eyes as he
! arose, climbed out along the side of The
monster engine--a Jugeernaut immense
enough to have crushed hundreds "a a time
beneath its pouderous wheels, and the
midday like sunbeams of the headlight
streamed out and made al! plain to him
despite the thick slect aud darkness.
He saw land IL shiver other than that
produced by cold passed through him) boy
standing directly ahead in the deep cut
waving lantern whose blood red globe
shone like an evil eye. Though still at a
little distance lie seemed directly under
foot and about to be dragged down and
devoured.
''He saved my life.'' muttered the tramp