Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-02-13
THEIR CHANCE.


on one of the great western roads, and
they had been brought up in COM
Portable little cottage by the very side
4 the track, 50 that they could not re-
member u time when rushing trains,
screaming whistles, changing bells, aud
the acrid smell Of coal-smoke had not
been familiar things TO them.
Smart little railroaders they were, at
ages when boys hardly know a throttle
from a reversing lever, for they had
been unconsciously picking up knowl-
edge every day of their lives during the
hours spent at the station, or in the re-
pair-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 occa-
sionally took one of them with him on
the great express locomotive 2O9, where
they learned TO stop and start the mag
nificent laachine, and even to run it on
safe Sketches of road. Often Ben re-
lieyed the big, good natured fireman at
the shovel. while Roger attended to the
bell and whistle and learned to man
age the air-brake.
OF course all this was against the
rules OF the road but rules haze their
exceptions, and the pair of young en-
giueers were such exceptions. Even
the stern pOtentate, the division super
intcndent, uttered never a word of OBJ
lection when he saw the two youthful
faces in the cab, black with smoke
and beamng with pleasure, while the
train-hauds and station-mcn smilmgly
waved their caps to Ben or Roger
leaning out of the window and watch
ing for signals and switches as if the
whole train depended upon his yigi-
lance.
They can run m easy piece as well
as | can, Mr. Moore once proundly
said
AN the'd do prutty Eill in a toight
place. too, added the fireman. But
Mr. Moore shook his head &C this,
Perhaps So Mike, but 10 isn't know
ing the machine that pulls Il man
through tight places. It's pluck, and
grit, and cool head, and thinking of
your train first and yourself last-that's
what IL is.
Sure. But if liver tn b'ys have to
show what in 'em yez won't find EN-
lackin'. Oi'ye soizcd 'om oop, an Oi
till yel they're til rulght soort. Wait
till they've the chance an ven see.
Only a short time afterward they
actually did have the chance, ana
viii leave IT. to YOU whether or not
Mike Murphy was mlstakeN.
Whats tac matter with that carp
It's moving of of itself?N exclaimed
Roger, while he and his brother we're
standing no the station awaiting their
fathers train. Down the track at the
end of the yard a tlat-car loaded with
ties was slcwly gliding along without
any visible means Of propulsion.
Brakes looseued, replied Ben.
Shell be stopped in a miuule Yes,
there goes somebody now
A man climbed ON board and mado
his way TO the brakes. lie turned the
wheel vigorously but without effect.
Another joined him. and both, throw
ING their weight ON the brakes, could
be seen heavily leaning outward and
swinging half around as they strained
to stop the pouderous car.
NC use. Brakes must be out Of or
der said Roger after "A minutes OBJ
seration,
Yes. that's it, - assented Ben, care
lessly, But even while vet speaking,
he gave sudden start of excitement.
Roger there's going Co be trouble.
See how it gathers speed. Ii must be
just getting ON the down grade outside
the yard.
"And that GOES clear 10 the Gravellv