Wichita eagle., 1889-06-02

engineer, and his treman-men fearless
and thoroughly capable at their work,
but who would stop at nothing to &C
complish a mean revenge when they
considered themselves injured.
One evening express train No. 8 stood
in the big barn like depot at Axlebor-
ough, about to start for the west. A To-
connective had just pulled out OF the
round house and was "backing up" to
the waiting train; it was engine No. 400
and was manned by the very men who
were so much disliked by both officers
and employees. Nothing much, however,
was thought of this. They were closely
watched about the shops and yards;
when they were in the cab it was toler-
ably certain they could do no misc 'ief,
because any peril to which they might
expose the train and passengers must Of
necessity include themselves.
The conductor was John Bolton and
the regular patrons Of the c. and A
were glad Of it, for when the genial, open
countenance and portly form of Conduo-
| tor Bolton were seen upon the train the
passengers knew they were in good
hands. He was looking at his watch by
the aid Of a stray ray from the setting
sun when small boy hurried quietly
up.
"Mr. Boltonr'
"Why-hello, my ladi What is it,"
said John, who, even when busy, gave
pleasant greeting.
''Mr. Bolton, I'm no sneak or tell tale,
but it's only right to let you know that
Engineer DAILY has been talking ugly this
evening. There isn't time to tell you all
about it, sir heard him and his fire
man talking and they mean mischief
this very night. Excuse me for interfer-
ing. but you ought to change engineers or
else watch Mr.. DAILY pretty close"
"Oh, pshaw!" said the conductor, with
his usual guffaw. "Daly and his man
were just talking-those fellows always
do like to talk considerably. They won't
do any harm-for, don't you see, they
can't hurt the train without hurting
themselves. I'll keep my eye on them
when we stop. Much obliged to you,
my La all the same. All aboard"
TIL = seconds later the heavy train
was moving out Of the depot, but no one
noticed on the front platform of the for
ward baggage car, Just behind the en-
CINE, the curled up form of the under
sized boy, Charlie Stockweu.
When the express left Axleborough
she was scheduled to run ninety miles
across the prairie without a stop, the
time allowed being two hours and fifty
minutes. Along this ninety miles there
were no towns and few settlements, and
as No. 5 had the right Of way clear
through there was no necessity for stop
ping, or even for slowing up.
The train had run perhaps twenty
miles, and was well on to the thinly peo-
pied prairie, when Stockwell, in his hid
ing place, noticed that they were slowing
up. With an effort he climbed on to
the tender and cautiously peeped over
tie coal and wood ito the cab. The lad
took in the situation at a glance, for this
is what he saw: The engineer was at that
instant turning on a full head of steam;
the fireman was closing the door of the
furnace, which he had just filled up with
t coal; both were preparing to desert the
engine.
Charlie debated in his own mind
whether he had better 60 back and ham,
mer on the door Of the baggage car to
notify the train men or stay where he
was and be ready to take the engineers
place. He concluded that it would DO
safer to stay where he was, and he had
/ hardly arrived at this decision when the
engineer and fireman dropped off, one
from each side Of the locomotive, leaving
No. with its living freight to dash on
ward to destruction.
But quick as a flash the boy hustled
over the coal laden tender, down into the
cab and took his stand on the plate with
/ the GOODNESS and nerve Of veteran. Yet
though his head was level his young blood
flowed fast and Charlie Stockwen was q
proud Lad as he regulated the speed Of
/ the giant locomotive. He was sorely
tempted to take the train right through
to Tetterby Junction, but remembering
that he was ignorant of the train orders,
his better Judgment carried the day. So
when, after nine mile run, he sighted
Boonville telegraph cabin, he pulled up
his snorting, kissing steed and reported
the whole affair to John Bolton.
But the lad was permitted to indulge
his wish, after all, for Bolton was SO
pleased with the brave conduct Of the
clever young machhist that he insisted
upon Charles acting as engineer clear
through to the end of the run, he him
self taking the second place in the cab as
Charles fireman.
Old John Bolton died last year, but he
lived to see his young friend and prime
favorite occupying high position in the
mechanical department of great rail
road. But if you, reader. desire to know
any more about the plucky young ap-
prentice, just drop line to Mr.. Charles
Stockwell, chief engineer of the Denver
and Duluth Short Line. He will doubt
less answer your letter.-William II. S.
Atkinson In Philadelphia Times.