The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-04-29

the regular patrons OF tho L. ana "A.
were glad Of il, for when the genial. open
coun,cnance and portly form of Condnc-
tor Bolton were seen upon the train the
passengers knew they were in good
hands. He WAS looking at his watch 10y
the aid Of a stray ray from the setting
sun when small boy hurried quietly
up.
"Mr Boltonr'
"Why hello. my ladl What Is ~"
said John. who. even when busy, gave a
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 il. sir. heard him and his fire
man talking and they mean mischief
thus very night. Excuse me for interfer
Ing but you ought to change engineers or
else watch Mr.. Daily pretty close"
"Oh, pshawr said the conductor, with
his usual guifaw. "Daly and his man
were just talking-thosc fellows always
do like to talk considerably. They won't
do any harm-for, don't you see. they
ant hurt the train without hurting
themselves. I'll keep my eye on them
when we stop. Much obliged TO you
my lad. all the same. All aboard
Thirty 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-
gine, the curled up form of the under
sized boy. Charlie Stockwell.
When tho express left Axleborough
she was scheduled to run ninety miles
across the prairie without n stop. the
time allowed being two hours and fifty
minutes. Along this ninety miles there
were no towns and few settlements, and
AZ No. had the right of way clear
through there was no necessity for stop
ping or even for slowing up.
The train bad run perhaps twenty
miles, and was well on to the thinly PEG
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
tho coal and wood into the cab The lad
took in the situation at a glsnce, for this
is wha. he saw; The engineer was at that
instant turning on n full head Of steam,
the fireman was closing the door of the
furnace which he had just filled up with
coal. both were preparing to desert the
engine.
Chlrlio debated in his own mind
whether he had better go back and ham
mer on the door Of the baggage car to
notify the train men or stay where he
was and be ready 10 take the engineers
place lie concluded that it would bo
safer to sta where he was, and he had
hardly arrived at this decision when the
engineer and fireman dropped oil, one
from each side of the locomotive, leaving
70. with Fying freight to dash on
ward to dies ruction.
But quick as flash the boy hustled
over the coal llden tender, down into the
cab and took Lis stand on the plate with
the GOODNESS AMI nerve of a veteran. Yet
though his head was level his young blood
flowed fast and Charlie Stockwell was a
proud lad as he regulated the speed Of
the giant locomotive. lie was sorely
tempted 10 take the train right through
10 Tetterby Junction, but remembering
,hat he was ignoran. of the train orders,
his better judgment carried the day. So
when. after a nine mic run, he sighted
HoOnviIic telegraph cabin, ho pulled up
his suorting, kissing stsed and reported
the whole affair 10 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 machnist 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 a great rail
road But If you, reader, desire to know
any more about the plucky young APP
prentice, just drop a line to Mr.. Charles
Stockwell, chief engineer Of the Denver
and Duluth Short Line. He will doubt
less answer your letter.-William Ii. 5.
Atkinson in Philadelphia Times.