The Newtown bee., 1891-12-18

How'd, eos she's d woman and don't un
derstand such things. But she's just as
mad as we are, only she won't show it,
The plan of campaign was to grease
the rails of Falmouth Grade. Carefully
had they considered the plan ;the Turk,
ey Train" was to be the victim, and the
wheels which had wrought such havoc
in the turkey ranks were now to be stop
ped on the heavy grade. The efforts OF
the engineer to force his locomotive past
the rails, slippery with grease-turkey
fat, to make it more humiliating-was to
constitute their cherished vengeance.
With this in mind the conspirators trudg-
ed on.
Now, Uncle Scion, from over the hill,
had taken advantage of the same bright
morning and the ''prime sleddin'," to
move, from his wood lot to the house,
some cords of long, fine wood.
All had gone we'll with Uncle Scion and
his doublerunner, piled high with logs,
until the frosty rails were encountered.
The forward sled had crossed one rail
but refused the second, while the second
sled stuck and hung upon the first and
there stood the heavy team square across
the track, with Uncle Scion, regardless
of all save the peril which threatened his
property, geeng and having and plying
the goad increasingly, when our two
youthful desperadoes came up.
Even now, while they assisted with
their feeble strength the straining teams
vain attempt to move the load, clear and
sharp upon the frosty air came the sound
of the locomotive whistle.
Instantly the plan of campaign against
the freight was lost in the sense of dan
ger TO the through express passenger, al
read. due, to pass down the grade and
cross the Turkey Train at the next sta
ton. This the boys understood full we'll :;
vainly they sought to enlist the man in
some effort to save the train. but Uncle
Scion only comprehended the danger to
his team, in a dazed sort of way and the
attempt was left to the boys. Little fell
lows, thus to stand between death aud
the lives upon the crowded train, but
brave, keen and ready for action.
II Snatching the great bag of hay which
rested upon the load, dinner for the OK
en- and begging some matches from the
man, who gave them instinctiyely, the
with the 'swar material' with which they
had started out, ran quickly up the line
in the direction of the approaching tram.
Meanwhile Uncle Scion, hearing the
call from the whistle, had excitedly I'M
hitched his oxen and driven them to u
place of safety, but within sight of his
sledS, where he waited beside them for
further developments.
The boys ran on. Presently the bar
Reading team was lost to sight round
slight curve i'll the road. Still they adj
vanced until ii safe distance from the OBJ
struction was covered. Hay and bag
were now tumbled to the ground between
the rails and the turkey fat distributed
about thereon. Arthur's coat was then
added to the meager pile and the matches
given to the baby.
Then Gen Art, the arch-conspirator, is
sued his commands:
'sYou see, How'd, we've got to stop
that train. I'll 60 ahead and signal with
my hat--if that don't stop 'em, you light
the fire. A good smoke is better than Il
blaze in daylight. Don't get frightened
and don't touch her off too soon"
Thus reassuringly to the little fellow
the elder spoke. Then, hat in hand, he
bounded farther up the line, coatless, in
the icy air; on, still on, until he sees the
rushing train, then stops and with fran
tic gestures, throwing arms and hat
about, screams and shouts to hold them
up.
AS if the engineer, always on the look
out, could hear the most riotous noise of
ii hundred boys! But he is seen and his
ludicrous danger signal noted. There
comes short, shrill scream from the
whistle for brakes aud an Instant appli-
cation of steam and automatic in reply,
but the high rate Of speed acquired in the
descent of Falmouth Grade hurls loco
motive and It's attendant train of cars
past the boy as he stands at one side OF
the rails. Heads are out of every VIM
dow and the platforms crowded with
anxious passengers, as the boy turns to
gaze after and well ahead he sees the
thick column of smoke rising heaven
ward, which tells him s'How'd" has been
faithful and the turkey fat, aided by the
hay, is getting in its work. Then he fol-
lows the train--folloWs to come up with
it, as it has now come to a full stop with
the nose of the engine brushing the fire
between the rails.
The boys climb on board TO tell their
story, as the train proceeds slowly to the
crossing. They see the heavy sled re-
moved BY the combined efforts Of Uncle
Scion, his oxen and the train crew. Then
they bid the train good-by and return to
the little cottage by Falmouth Grade.
Poor conspirators! Is this, then, your
boosted vengeance?
The Winter days pass slowly by and
bring the Christmas. Il Is the evening