Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-06
THEIR CHANCE.

DHu anu hO2tI hOOIG HCIC 1oillIOCSO
boys" Their father was an engineer
on one of the great western roads, and
they had been brought up in COM
Portable little cottage by the very side
of the track, so that they could not re-
member a 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 boys hardly know a throttle
from 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 a 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 209, where
they learned to stop and start the mag
nifcent machine, and even to run it on
safe SKETCHES of road. Often Ben re-
lieved 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 have their
exceptions. and the pair of young en-
gineers were such exceptions. Even
the stern potentate, the division super
intendent, uttered never a word of OBJ
lection when he saw the two youthful
faces in the cab, black with smoke
and beaming with pleasure, while the
train-hands and station-men smilingly
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 vigi-
lance.
They can run an easy piece as well
as | cam Mr.. Moore once proundly
said.
AN the'd do prutty will in toight
place, too" added the fireman. But
Mr.. Moore shook his head at this.
Perhaps SO, Mike, but it isn't know
ing the machine that pulls 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"
Sure But if liver tn b'ys have to
show what in 'em yez won't find 'em
lackin'. Olive soized 'em oop, an Oh
till yez they're tn roIght soort. Wait
till they've the chance an yen see."
Only short time afterward they
actually did have the chance, ana |
will leave it to you whether or not
Mike Murphy was mistaken.
Whats the matter with that carp
It's moving off of itself?n exclaimed
Roger, while he and his brother were
standing at the station awaiting their
fathers train. Down the track at the
end of the yard tiat-car loaded with
ties was sicwly gliding along without
any visible means of propulsion.
Brakes loosened," replied Ben.
She'll be stopped in a minu4e Yes,
there goes somebody now.n
A man climbed on board and made
his way to the brakes. He 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 ponderous car.
mo use, Brakes must be out of or
der, said Roger, after a minutes OBJ
servation.
Yes, that's it." assented Ben, care
lessly. But, even while yet speaking,
he gave a sudden start of excitement.
Roger, there's going to be trouble.
See how it gathers speed. 1t must be
just getting on the down grade outside
the yard. =
''And that goes clear to the Gravelly
PY1y, l,1,i1 era - ra,,liaJ ppora,- olsc 10
coming excited. The fiat will be
running like lightning by the time it
gots there"
Yes, it'll pitch off the bridge, be-
sides, continued Ben. But l don't
see what can be done about it. The
men have given up. See! They're
jumping off-and it's 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 up for two hours"
But Ben all at once grasped his BROTH
er by the wrist.
20 Roger, don't you remember?
There's 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 theml
They'll all be killed! they'll all be
killedr'
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 JOY. 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!n cried
Ben, dragging Roger toward the loco
motive. I'VE can't stop to call the crew
we must run her ourselves. I'm the
strongest; I'll fire and you-you start
her her upi Hurryr'
Roger instantly understood. He
sprang upon the foot-board after his
brother and grasped the lever and
throttle. 1t was no time for careful
handling and the great engine fairly
jumped on the rails as the abruptly
opened valves sent the steam rushing
through it. Ben seized the g
lever and a long scream of
sounded in the ears of the asst teo
men who were watching the ru