The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-10-22


chance" and he hurried away.
Lance's idea was this, as every one
knows when railway tracks are coated
with ice the driving wheels of an engine
will sometimes slip and revolve rapidly
without moving the engine itself. The
same is true when the tracks are coated
with oil. When the train is under head
way and on a level this might not hap
pen, but on a steep up grade the head
way would be lost, and the wheels would
probably slip on rails covered with ice or
oil.
Mr.. Bascom r~eappeared, pushing his
way through the terror stricken crowd
of passengers, carrying two large oil
cans. each containing a gallon or more
of the thick mixture of oil and tallow
which is used to lubricate the machinery
of road engines. To each can was at
tached a long curved spout. on the oppo-
site side a handle.
The express was already mounting the
steep incline, and behind lit, not a hun
dred yards distant, roared the pursuing
engine, its headlight streaming broadly
in the anxious faces of the men gathered
IN the rear platform of the car. AR.
Bascom handed one of the tallow cams
to the brakemen and then both men
dropped on their knees, and leaning far
over the platform held the curved spouts
Of the cans within q few inches of the
rails.
AS the express sped on, Lance saw the
thick fluid rush from the spouts upon
the rails. which glistened in the glare of
the advancing engines light. Every
one, passengers and trainmen, who had
crowded to the rear of the car to witness
the experiment, held his breath as the
runaway engine rushed upon the long,
shining track.
On it came with undiminished speed;
then, yes, it was surely so-the distance
between the express and the engine was
widening! And now as the imperiled
train labored up the incline, putting and
painting like an exhausted runner, all
there uttered a wild cry Of joy and re-
lief.
Engine No. 90 had gradually lost it's
Roadway, and now, kissing and snort
ing, stood still upon the oiled track, its
wheels revolving uselessly, with a noise
like distant thunder.
A short distance farther on the ex-
press was also stopped, and the engineer
ran back and mounting into the stalled
engine turned off the steam, rendering
the pursuing engine incapable Of further
harm. A train hand, who understood
the business, took charge of it, and ran
it back to the station whence it had es-
capped.
There was a meeting of certain pas
sengers on the express held on the spot,
and a vote Of thanks to the conductor,
Mr.. Bascom, passed. That gentleman,
however, declared that no thanks were
due him, and led forward Lance Elliott,
looking very red and bashful, explain
ing that the saving of the express was
wholly due to the boys ready sugges-
ton as to oiling the rails.
Lance's hand was very nearly shaken
off at the wrist by the enthusiastic pas
sengers, and much to his discontinue
several ladies insisted on kissing him.
Meanwhile Mr.. Bascom had been talk
ing in a low tone to a group of well
dressed men, and now he turned to the
boy and said with his kindly smile:
Lance, my boy, these gentlemen
agree with me that your clever idea is
well worth the course at college you have
always longed for, and they have made
arrangements to provide the necessary
funds"
Lance tried to find words to express
his thanks, but he choked and the tears
sprang to his eyes. However, the gentle
men seemed to think he had said enough.
AS the passengers resumed their seats
and the train started on again Mr.. Bas-
com said to Lance, "Did | not tell you
to do your duty and let the rest take care
Of itself?'
Eyes," answered Lance, with a swell
ing breast. land now l am going to
climb the stairs"