The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1885-03-06
Never Start What You Can't Stop.


Every chance he could get, Rob wa
on the Hercules. All the other eng
neers knew Rob, the grandson of oil
Adolph Kerr, and never sent him ava
If they saw him about the engine
house. They trusted him because hi
grandfather did. Rob was very prout
of this.
One day, when he was alone on tn,
Hercules, two schoolmates came along
Grandfather away, RobP"
Eyes, and Silas. They've left me IL
charge"
"Let us get up there, tooP"
"If let you fellows aboard, you'll
get into mischief" said Rob.
They promised not to touch any
thing. At length, Rob let them come
up where he was. Very soon, one
said: "My uncle makes engines, and
and l know lot about them, too.
Wouldn't it be fun to set this a-going,
just minutep"
.Rob don't dare start upr' said the
other.
II dare, but 1 wo'ntr'
whats the harmP" asked the first
"Uncle showed me how to reverse the
lever"
Rob said no, but they kept on hint
ing and coaxing. By-and-bye, Rob
peered out to see if anybody was COM
ing, a strange. guilty look on his face.
Then there was familiar sound from
the mighty horse; it moved slowly
along the siding.
There, didn't know how to start
itP" cried Rob.
The Hercules went faster. 1t SEEM
ed to be getting ready for race.
'Now we must stop i'll" cried Rob.
"Reverse the lever, quickl'
But the boy had forgotten how. He
jumped from the engine, telling the
other, to "Come on!'' So Rob was
alone, and in a sad fix. Pale as death,
he tried with all his strength 70 do as
he had seen his grandfather. 1t was
useless! He had let loose force he
could not stop. He too jumped,
throwing himself the same way the
engine was going, and rolled over and
Down the bank into the bushes.
And now there was great cry from
Silas and Mr.. Kerr. With terrified
aces they chased the Hercules. They
we're too late to get aboard. The en-
zine had left the siding for the main
Dad, sped along to bend, and disap-
'eared, the ground trembling beneath |
Is powerful tread.
Rob felt that he could never look his
.randfather in the face again. He hid
i'll dark. Then he went home. His
1other was crying. And his grand
atherp 1t seemed as if he had grown
ears older. Silas was there too, talk
lg pitifully of the Hercules, as if it
ere some living creature that had
,st its life.
''Why, here's Rob-" said Silas. Eye
ont have any more fine rides with
Our grandfather and me. THEY'VE
ut us out of job. Heard how the
ercules got away to-dayp Wouldn't
3 ketched no more'n a wild horse of
le desert. He stove up coal train.
I'd pitched head-fust into pasture"
Rob was surprised that no one sus-
,cted him. anybody killed. he
"All living" was Silas's queer re-
Y. except your grandsire. 1t pretty
OH finished him"
"Of course he'll get another engine,
IS so smart" faltered Rob.
Then his grandfather spoke, in a
ep, troubled tone. Nobody would
lst the old man again, Rob. They !
rned him off with hard words. Oh, J
s a cruel ending for the work of
etimer' {
Tears flied his eyes; they rushed
20 Rob's too. He could keep 1t from :
J grandfather no longer. He told
n all. "If you'll only forgive me" a
sobbed, land trust me as you used
III never touch an engine again, 2
ver!"
t added heavily to Mr.. Kerr's sor-
v to learn that Rob had caused
'ir misery, but he put his arm a
'und him and spoke kindly. 0
here's many other things besides 0
zines get the upper hand, if folks 3
Iches them," he said. .I'd willingly I.
fer, if thought you'd learn this 81
son: Meter start anything you can't ;,
D. There's men in this town'll tell II
l they started drinking and swear u
long ago; and it's running away e.
h them now, just as the Hercules a.
with you. Think of this, Rob- 81
en- you remember what happened Ia
FOUR grandsire's last engine!''-7Se al
p