Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-24
THEIR CHANCE.

Ben and Roger Moore were railroad
boys" Their father was an engineer on one
of the great Western roads, and they had
been barn and brought up in comfortable
little cottage by the very side Of the track so
that they could not remember time when
rushing trains, screaming whistles, changing
bells and the acrid smell of coal smoke had
not been familiar things to them.
Smart little railroaders they were, at ages
when most boys hardly know throttle from
reversing lever; for they had been I'M
consciously picking up knowledge every day
of their lives during the hours spent at the
station or in the repair shops, or while the
yard master favored them with trip on the
queer little shifting engine which pulled up
and down the interlacing side tracks from
morning till night
As they grew older, their father occasion
ally took one of them with him on the great
express locomotive 200, where they learned to
stop and start the magnificent machine, and
even to run it on safe stretches ofroad. Often
Ben relieved the big, good natured fireman
at the shovel, and fed the box under his di-
rections, while Roger attended to the bell and
whistle and learned to manage the air brake
OF course all this was against the rules of
the road, but rules have their exceptions, and
the pair OF young engineers We're such excep-
tions. Even that stern pOtentate, the divis-
ion superintendent, uttered never word Of
objection when he saw the two youthful
faces in the cab, black with smoke and beam
ing with pleasure while train hands and
station men smilingly waved their caps to
Ben or Roger leaning out of the window and
watching for signals and switches as if the
whole train depended upon his vigilance.
They can run an easy piece as we'll as l
can" Mr. Moore once proudly said:
''An' they'd do prutty Will in toight
place, too" added the fireman. But Mr..
Moore shook his head at this
''Terhaps SO, Nike; but it isn't knowing the
machine that pulls a man through tight
places. It's pluck and grit and cool head,
and thinking Of your train first and yourself
last-that's what it is 3"
Sure. But if iver tn b'ys have to show
what's in 'em, yez won't find EN- lackn'
Owe soized 'em oop. an Oh till yez they're
tn roight soort. Wait till they've the
chance, an ye'l see."
Only a short time afterward they actually
did have the chance, and L Will leave it to
YOU whether or no Mike Murphy was mis-
taken.
What's the matter with that car? It's
moving off of itself!' exclaimed Roger, while
he and his brother were standing at the sta.
ton awaiting their fathers train. Down the
track at the end Of the yard Eat car loaded
with ties was slowly gliding along without
any visible means of propulsion.
Brakes loosened," replied Ben. "She'll be
stopped in minute. Yes, there goes some
body now"
A man climbed on board and made his way
TO the brakes. He turned the wheel vigor
ously, but without effect. Another joined
him, and both, throwing their weight on the
brakes, could be seen heavily leaning outward
and swinging half around as they strained to
stop the ponderous car.
No use. Brakes must be out of order"
said Roger, after a minutes observation.
Yes, that's it," assented Ben, carelessly.
But, even while yet speaking, he gave a sud
den start of excitement.
Roger. there's going to be trouble. See
how it gathers speed. 1t must be just getting
son the down grade outside the yard"
And that goes clear TO the Gravelly Run
BRIDGE" replied Roger, also becoming ex-
cited. THE flat will be running like light
ming by the time it gets there"
Yes, and it'll pitch Off the bridge. be-
can be done about it. The men have given
up Sect They're jumping of-and it IS time
they did"
We'll, the company will lose some money!
said Roger, but that's all the harm, for
there's clear track and no train coming I'D
for two hours"
But Ben all at once grasped his brother by
the wrist.
20, Roger, don't you rememberl There's |
a gang repairing the bridge at the brook |
They're clear down in the gully where they
can't see or hear the car, and it'll fall right
over upon them! They'll all be killed! they'll |
ali be killedl''
Roger could not say word. He stood /
staring after the disappearing car, pale faced /
and breathing hard Ben looked around /
hopelessly until his eyes fell upon something
that made his heart leap with iov. 1t was /
the change engine waiting TO relieve their /
fathers when his train came in 1t stood on /
the main track near the two boys, but with /
no one aboard, for the engineer and fireman /
were eating their noon lunch at the round
house, as they generally did.
Jump aboard, quick, quick!" cried Ben, |
dragging Roger toward the locomotive. |
ave can't stop to call the crew-we must
run her ourselves. I'm the strongest; I'll /
tire and you-you start her upl Hurry!n
Roger instantly understood. He sprang
upon the foctboard after his brother, and |
grasped the lever and throttle 1t was no |
time for careful handling, and the great en-
gine fairly jumped on the rails as the abrupt |
ly opened valves sent the steam rushing /
through it Ben seized the whistle lever, and /
n long scream of warning sounded in the ears /
of the astoniShed men who were watching /
the runaway car, while, almost at the same \
moment with the sound. the roaring locOmo- /
tive leaped by them over the rafting |
switches, and shot down the line like a me-
teor
Both boys, now that they were actually at
work 10 avert disaster, the very thought of
which had upnervei them minute before
were cool and steady. Roger, with his hands
D0cunied and fees brered firmly against the