Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-06-23
HOW JOHNNY SAVED THE RAIL.
ROAD TRAIN.

ROAD TRAIN.
The members!of the Whirligig Club
are off on midnight excursion with
their bicycles, the boys haviag stolen
away from their homes without the
knowledge of their parents. After q
ride of about nine miles by the light OF
a full moon, they have come to halt
near railroad just where the track
crosses, over a small creek.
The Club was at length beginning to
feel the effects of the unusually long
ride; and, as the partycame to the rail-
way, Benzsaid: s t..e
"Lsts:rest !: here ere until the expresses
..Agreedli'.ssssidt Bob a."What time
is it, Joep'
'After one-11ten minutes after 1t
must be'tfrie 'foi. the train now," he
answered. .lookingidewn the track.
The up-express was due at fifteen
minutes after one, and the down ex-
press Mt almost the same hour, but they
seldom were, on time, In few
minutes the trains would surely pass
the spot where the boys now were, and
they thought the sight worth waiting
for, because the trains were'through ex-
presses, and always dashed along as il
speed wasithe only thing cared for
The boys agreed to wait. Two OF
them stretched themselves on the
ground by the side of the wagon-road,
and the others sat around on logs, glad
TO take breathing spell, as Joe called
it.
II say" said Dayie, suddenly, "the
railway would be splendid place for
our machines to run on.
$50 il would" said Bob. 'sThe
places between the ties have been filled
and packed, and so many people use it
rs foot-path, that it, as smooth and
solid as a floor
Just then the up-express came
whistling and roaring along the track,
and dashed past them at tremendous
speed, raising clouds of dust twigs, and
dry grass. The boys held their breath
rs the monster swept by them, without
slackening speed even to cross the long
bridge over the creek and the trestle-
work beyond. S ~
And then followed a strange crashing
sound, rs of earth and rocks rolling
down hal; but soon all was still again.
"Winre are you going now'" asked
Ben, @ Johnny and Ned suddenly
jumpedtnp, moved by the same impulse
ITO See how the track will do fol
our "bikes,n answered Johnny, rs they
trundled their machines toward the rail
way.
Bob had his mouth wide open to sug
gest that all the Club should follow,
when a startled call from Johnny,
echoed by, one from Ned, caused them
to rush down to where the two boys
were. ~
Their faces turned as pale as were
Johnny's and Ned $, when, in answer tc
their What stLematterP'' Ned pointed
to dark heap across the track, close to
the bridge. A moments glance showed
them that one OF the great rocks from
the hill, no doubt shaken loose by the
train which had just thundered past,
had rolled down upon the track, carry
ing with it mass of dirt and gravel.
The rock was SO large that the boys
could not move it, although they at once
tried their best.
Its of no use,' said Joe, as they
gave up, painting.
"We must do something; it, time the
ooNh-C-AHiOoo WAC uGlt, nOM, CIlti
Davie.
"We must signal them in some way
If we only had a lantern!' cried Frank,
breathlessly.
There's no time to lose!'' cried Bob
Hayp' and with the word Ben and
Ned were off, and, before the Others
could think what they meant, they were
back with their arms full Of dry hay
from little shed they had remembered
seeing 0 short distance up the hill.
I'VE had better go beyond the faller
rock, and then, when we sec the train
coming, we'll set fire to the hay,n sale
Joe, asithey hurliedly divided the ha,
into several small bundles.
They had just started up the track
when there came sound which mad,
them stop. 1t was faint whistle, fa
away around the curve.
The train is coming now and, be
sides, our light won't be seen from
around the bendI' cried Ned, as tn,
boys stood staring blankly at one an
other, for at last they fully realized TIN
danger. r
"Some Of us must cross the bridg,
and signal them from the other side O
the river" said Joe.
1.-The ties are cut from some places
and we should have to jump the gaps
Men were setting blocks under the rail
when Icame past there this evening
they were then going to leave the gaps
and replace the ties Tomorrow" sal
Johnny.
There won't be time TO climb dow
and up the banks. and cross on the it'll
foot-bridge, nor TO swing across tn
gaps by holding to the rails, said Boil
his voice shaking as he talked
"There were boards laid lengthwis
across. I'll go over on them.n erie
Johnny. remembering that he had see
men wheel gravel, from the hill ON tn
other side. along The whole length q
the bridge, on a narrow path made q
two boards; and he determined to eros
by II, mounted on his wheel; there wa
not time for running.