The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1890-06-07
THEIR CHANCE.

tney naQ Decn DrOu9nC up IN com
Portable little cottage by the very sid,
of the track, so that they could not re
member time when rushing trains
screaming whistles, changing bells, ant
the acrid smell of coal-smoke had no
been familiar things to them.
Smart little railroaders they were, a
ages when boys hardly know 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-mastel
favored them with trip on the queer
little shifting-engine which puffed uf
and down the interlacing side-track!
from morning till night.
AS they grew older their father occa
sionally took one of them with him or
the great express locomotive 2O9, where
they learned to stop and start the mag
niticent machine, and even to run it or
safe stetches of road. Often Ben re-
iieved the big, good natured fireman al
the shovel, while Roger attended to the
| bell and whistle and learned to man.
age the air-brake.
l
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 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 we'll
as / can," Mr.. Moore once proundly
said.
"An' the'd do prutty will in toight
place, too,n 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 iver 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 rolght soort. Wait
till they've the chance an yell see"
Only short time afterward they
actually did have the chance, and l
will leave it to you whether or not
Mike Murphy was mistaken.
What's the matter with that carp
It's moving off of itself?" exclaimed
Roger, while he and his brother were
fathers train. Down the track at the
end of the yard a fat-car loaded with
ties was slowly gliding along without
any visible means of propulsion.
Brakes loosened," replied Ben.
She'll be stopped in minule. Yes,
there goes somebody now"
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.
No use, Brakes must be out of Or
der" said Roger, after minutes OBJ
servation.
Yes, that's it," assented Ben, care
lessly. But, even while yet speaking,
he gave 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
Run bridge " replied Roger. also be-
coming excited. The fiat will be
running like lightning by the time it
gots there
Eyes, 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
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.
30 Roger, don't you remember?
There's gang repairing the bridge at
the brook! They're clear down in the
car, and it'll fall right over upon them!
They'll all be killed! they'll all be
killedr'
Roger could not say a 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
did
jump aboard, quick, quick!'' cried
Ben, dragging Roger toward the loco
motive. ave 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 up! Hurry!"
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 whistle
lever and long scream of warning
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 .
meteor.
Both boys, now that they were actual