The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1884-06-07
ROB AND THE ENGINE.

ROB AND THE ENGINE.
| 'Look at Rob; going SO fast yo
can see the soles Of his new boots
WHAT'S upp" tf
Rob Kerr paused to answer the boys
"Going to ride on grandsir's engine.
Couldn't you squeeze us in, too
But Rob thought he heard the ca
bell, and was showing the soles again
The boys followed.
When they got there Rob's grand
father, Adolph Kerr, was carefully ex
aminigg the engine. oil can in hand
while Silas, the fireman, looked out O
the little window.
Hercules is all right, boss; I've
looked him over myself" said Silas.
II know you always do" said Mr.
Kerr, '.but it's my way to look over the
engine myself before starting. W.
can't be too careful"
''He's right" Silas told the bows
''Ef he hadn't, regular as clock-work
Travelled al over the Hercules, be
wouldn't be called the best engineer on
the road. 'DOlph Kerr's run the longest,
too"
Rob was pleased to have the boys
hear that.
"Rob, here--he'll be running the
Hercules when grandsir's laid up, I"
added Silas.
II could now, almost" said Rob.
'Oh, hear him!" laughed Silas. I'VE
may as well both lay ourselves away,
boss.''
Mr.. Kerr made no reply, but stepped
aboard. How the boys. envied Rob as
he rang the bell! The conductor shout
ed: "All aboardr' and away they
went along the iron track.
They ate supper while the train wait
ed at a junction. Silas made coffee and
boiled eggs; Rob toasted bread on the
end of the boiler
Every chance he could get. Rob was
on the Hercules. All the other engi-
neers knew Rob. the grandson of old
Adolph Kerr, and never sent him away
if they saw him about the engine-house.
They trusted him because his grand
father did. Rob was very proud of
this.
One day, when he was alone on the
Hercules. two schooimates came along.
'Rirandfather away, Rob?'
..Yes. and Silas. They've left me in
CHARGE -
Let us get up there, toop''
Couldn't think of it," said Rob. "If
Silas catches any boys round here he'll
give them shaSing."
1--WE won't stay but a minute; we'll
run when we See him coming
IF l let you fellows aboard you'll
get into mischief" said Rob.
They promised not to touch ANYTHING.
At length Rob let them come up where
he was. Very soon one said; my
uncle makessengines, SO / know lot
about them, too. Wouldn't it be fun
to set this agoing, just minute?''
''Rob don't dare start up!' said the
other.
Il dare, but Iwon't"
What's the harm?" asked the first.
+" Uncle showed me how to reverse the
lever"
Rob said no; but they kept on hint
ing and coaxing. BY aud by Rob peerei
put TO see if anybody was coming. a
strange, guilty look on his face; then
here was familiar sound from the
mighty horse-it moved slowly along
the siding.
There, didn't know how to start |
t?' cried Rob.
The Hercules went faster; it seemed
o be getting ready for race.
Now we must stop it!'' cried Rob. /
. Reverse the lever, quickr'
But the boy had forgotten how! He
umped from the engine, telliny the
tier to "COme on" So Rob was
lone, and In sad fix. Pale as death.
le tried with all his strength to do as he
lad seen his grandfather. 1t was use-
ess! He had let loose force he could
Ot stop. He. too, jumped, throwing
imself the same way the engine was
'oing; rolled over and down the bank
alto the bushes.
And now there was q great cry from
ilas and Mr.. Kerr. With terrified
ices they chased the Hercules. They
'ere too late to get aboard; the engine
ad left the siding for the main road;
ped along to bend and disappeared.
ne ground trembling beneath its pow
rful tread.
hob felt that he never could look his .
randfather in the face again. He hid .
II dark. Then he went home. His
lother was crying. And his grand
'ther? 1t seemed as If he had grown
ears older. Silas'was there, too, talk ,
g pitifully of the Hercules as if it were I
.me living creature that had lost lis !
Fe
Why. here's Rob-" said Silas; eve I
ont have no moro fine rides with vour !
randsir and me! They've put us out Of
job. Heard how the Hercules got {
way to-day? Wouldn't be ketched NO =
ore'n wild horse o. the desert: he t
owe up coal train and pitched head .
st into pasturer'
Rob was surprised that no one sus- t
,cted him. Anybody killed." he $
hispered. L
!" All living" was Silas' queer reply, b
except your grandsir. 1t pretty nigh
" course he'll get another engine. v
Is so smart" faltered Rob. c
Then bis grandfather smoke. in q deer O