Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-06-23
Our Young Folks.
A RUNAWAY TRUNK.

\ Ou IOOts
Well" said Fred. 81 don't see any
way, unless we do 60 a-foot. for we
have only got two dollars between us
and the fare to Portland is more'n two
dollars apiece"
Pete Ratestuff got over harder
spots than this" said John. "and /
know we can"
John Sheldon, bright, quick-witted
boy. of about fourteen, is the son of q
well-to-do farmer of Oxford County,
Maine. The other boy. Fred. Hard
ing. is the village doctors son, o lew
months younger. The two are excel
lent friends. They have been reading
"Perilous Adventures OF Pete Rates
tuff, the Boy Sailor" Reused by the
daring deeds and wonderful escapes of
the hero. mania to go to sea has
fallen upon them. They think there ;
no good in asking their fathers ad-
vice, SO they are laying plans in secret.
John has learned that the fishing
foundland the 25th, and it is now the
24th, The two boys start from beneath
the "High Top" sweeting- tree, in, the
orchard where they have been sitting.
Amt there no way to go on the
freight train?" asked Fred. throwing
an apple core toward . chipmonk.
chattering on this stone wall.
mo, 1 guess not" said John,
thoughtfully. g But I've got an idcar'
he exclaimed exultantly, cTumpling up
his old straw hat, and giving it an up
ward ling.
"Quick! ont with it," said Fred.
"There's an old trunk of grandpa s
in hn H.
Chuck what we want in that, get in, and
one OF us goes as baggage! What do
you say to that?"
you've struck itr' exclaimed Fred.
Lets go at it. I'm in for that. Why
you're as cute as Pete"
"We'll have to start in the morn
ing" said John. "We'll have a gay
time. Wen see a bit OF the CITY when
we're through our business with the
Captain."
Not doubt but that thew could 90
as sailors had once entered their heads.
Of course! Captain DAILY would take
them.
1t was decided that Fred should get
leave, and come down and stay all
night with John. He was to take with
him what he wanted. and they'd pack
what they could in the trunk.
A little after dusk, Fred came over,
bringing his best suit. lot of dough-
nuts, small pistol, and his new base
ball, tied together in an old handker-
chief. These. with some of Johns pos
sessions, were packed in the trunk.
leaving not a very roomy place for q
boy. Half a dozen or more air holes
were bored in the sides. All was ready
for an early start in the morning.
The boys retired in good season, but
not to sleep. At half-past eleven, John
looked at his watch. for he had a pretty
silver one given him at his last BIRTH
day. He said
"Why, Fred, If you'll believe it, it
amt but half-past eleven"
The same was repeated at one, and
again at half-past two. At three they
rose and dressed, went softly down the
stairs, and out into the cool, drear, Sep
TENDER morning.
Each taking handle of the trunk,
they went toward the station, about
three miles Off They reached the de-
pot, as they hoped to, before any one
was about.
1t required some talking, on Johns
part, to persuade Fred that he, be NO
the smaller, ought to go in the trunk.
There was just room for him to curl
down on his side.
He got in. John shut the cover, locked
the trunk, aud sat down beside it.
"How dye feel, Fred?" he asked, at
length.
kinder boxed up," said Fred.
"There amt no room to spare" IT,
Soon the depot was opened.
John bought his ticket, got his check
and when the train came steaming in
he first made sure the trunk was put on,
and then he got on board. and off they
went.
John enjoyed the ride. Twice only
had he been on the cars before. and
never alone, so there was the charm of
novelty about it.
At D. Station, in yard just be-
hind the depot, were kept some deer, q
fox. a raven and other animals
Their fame had reached Johns ears,
and. as there promised to be q stop OF
several minutes for breakfast, he left
the car and went round to see them;
and, for q time, thew quite drove his
sea-voyage from his mind.
There came q sudden reminder, how
ever, when he heard the puff, puff, of
the engine and the rumbling IF the cars.
Then he started and ran round to the
front o the depot, only TO see the train
moving otf-without him!
John felt badly. and did not know
what to do.
"Well, now, I was q foolr' he
thought. as he looked after the vanish
ing train.
He asked man. standing near, when
the next train went to Portland.
"Not till afternoon" was answered.
This was blow to John Added to
his desire to reach the city was not q
little anxiety as to Fred's condition in
the trunk.
What long four hours he had to
wait! Time had never dragged so be-
fore!
At last the longed-for train came, and
John reached Portland in safety.
The next thing was to find his trunk.
He went up to a man standing near
some baggage. and asked him how to
get trunks.
Where's yer check?" asked the
man.
Inbn ehauod IL