The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-07-21
THE "PANTHER."
Story OF the Childrsn's Adventure ON Q
Runaway Engine.

Story OF the Ci,ildrsn's Adventure ON
Runaway Engine.
"P-a-n-t-h-e-r; what does that spell,
Artie?"
Panther; wild beast" replied the
lad, whose little sister had speit the
name letter by letter. And where do
you think the letters were printedp No,
not in book, nor on paper at all!
they were on an engine!
On fine new engine, which had not
long come out Of ''the shops" as the
mandatory is termed. These ''shops''
are not places where you can go and
buy toys or sweetmeats-oh, dear, no!
The engine-shops are great sheds where
railway engines are built. Some have
six wheels, some eight; some have
tenders for coal and water; some have
no tenders, but carry their own coal.
The great engines have tenders; the
''tank" engines, none.
The engine which Artie and his sis
ter Jane we're looking at had six
| wheels. On each side was one big
wheel, rising high over their heads,
and two smaller wheels, one in front,
and the other behind the big wheel.
There was a tender, too, with coal on
the top, and water in the tank UNDER
meath; for engines want to eat and
drink, just as little folks do, only the
engines eat coal (Which we hope none
of our readers ever do), and drink wa
ter. which we all do.
This engine, whose name was ''Pan-
ther,' was standing by itself, smoking
very quietly.
II say, Jenny, wouldn't it be fun to
get up on the PANTHER" and make it
carry us to the station and backp'
Eyes, but what would father and
Mr. Oldham say?' replied Jane, tim
idly.
:.Do you think can't drive an en-
gine? Why. I've often been with
father and Jack Gibbs"
That's different, Artie. But this is
half holiday, and there are not many
people in the yard. No one can help
"All the better!" said Artie. 1--WE
shall not be seen. But say, I'll tell
you what we'll do; we'll ask Ben Best
he'll help us, and we can go on the
side line to the points and back"
These children were the son and
daughter of an engine-driver. The
boy was just beginning to learn how
to clean an engine. He had to get in
side and underneath into the tire-box,
and sometimes he slept there!
But Artie Barton knew little about
engines, and was so fond of them.
He slowed them,' he used to say.
The children were gazing at the
Panther and Artie was just going
| to get up ON the '.footplate, where
the men stand, when Ben Best came
| out.
''Hollo, Arthur! you'd better come
down from there!'
'.No. Ben; Jenny and I are going
| for ride to the cross-over road and
back. Will you Gomez"
] The ''cross-over' is place where
pair of rails unite the main lines: by
means of ''points" the trains or engines
can be shunted or passed over from one
line to the other.
"Well." replied Ben. II think will
go, too. 1t is not far. and there's no
danger, for the points are shut and we
can't get out on the line.'
"AlI right. Come, Jenny, give me
your hand" said her brother, .'mind
the wheel; there! Isn't that lovely?'
"How high up we are!' exclaimed
the girl. 1--WE can see long way in
front. What nice glass; there $ water
in it t-see!'
Don't touch any thing, Jenny, you
may burn your hand. Now, Ben.
there's no one here only the clean
ers,' and they won't tell. The men
are off, and there is no train due, l
know"
Ben climbed up. and said: "rn
drive
mo, I'll start her-it's only little
way. You can run her back. Now then;
hold tight. Jenny"
Jenny held tight. and Artie pushed
the handle which let's the steam go out
of that great rounded dome you see on
top of engines to move the wheels.
The steam rushed out witl loud
fizz, whiz, whiz! and the big engine
started.
When Ben and Arthur thought they
had got as much speed as was wanted,
they tried to pull back the handle
again, and stop the steam. The ham
die had been pushed open very lit
tie; and very fortunate it was for the
children that the regulator was so
stiff.
Because when they tried to pull it
back and stop the steam they could
not!
Artie and Ben and Jane all tried to-
gether to pull the handle into its place.
But it was no use. The little hands
could not move the great handle, which
was rather too high for them to grasp
properly.
"The valve has stuck" said Ben.
1--WE are in a nice pickle"
"Pull the lever back, and reverse
the gear; that will stop her." said
Arthur.
But they could not do that either.
The power of the steam was too great
for their strength. and the engine ran
on quietly, slowly, but surely, through
the points. which acted by themselves,
out on to the railway line.
| "We shall be killedr' cried Jane.
"Oh, if we run into any thing, what
ever s0iH happen to all Of us?"
"There is train on the other line
in the station" cried Ben, II will
jump off and tell the men,"
"No, no!' screamed Jane, 'they
will see us, and come to stop u.s."