The Globe-republican., 1891-04-15
CHAPTER Y.

you drreSteU ana locked up ct the very
first town We come to-
CHAPTER Y
FINAL ADVENTURE AND ITS HAPPY RESULTS
Conductor Tobin. of freight No. Is
was one of the biggest-hearted and most
generous men on the road. Like Brake.
man Joe the only persons with whom
he had no patience and upon whom he
was very severe whenever they came in
his way were tramps. In the presen,
case he was pleased with the sweet,
truthful face OF Prince Dusty, name
that struck his fancy most happily. and
was already most favorably inclined
toward our travellers.
Thus it happened that when freight
No. Is pulled slowly and heavily out
from the Arden siding Arthur and
Uncle Phin and Rusty. instead of be-
ing left behind on the storm
beaten platform, were comfortably
seated about the little round
stove in the caboOse, enjoying its CRATE
full warmth and very happy over their
good fortune.
Soon after starting Conductor Tobin
and Brakeman Joe entered the caboose
and sat down for a chat with their
guests. Uncle Phin was too fully occu-
pied in nursing his bruised knee to
enter very heartily into the converse
ton: but Arthur SO easily sustained his
share of it that the train men were de-
lighted with his intelligence and ready
wit. After he had told them all that he
could about himself he began to ask
them questions. whereby he gained
much information concerning railroad
business in general, and the running of
trains in particular. They allowed him
TO climb up into the cupola of the ca
boose, through the four windows of
which he could look out into the night,
ahead, behind, and on both sides. Then
they showed him their red and white
lanterns. ana set of flags, and explained
their uses. He thus learned that if
any accident happened to their train, it
would be the conductors first duty to
send brakeman back on the track to
wave a red lantern. and warn approach
ing trains of the danger ahead.
Would train always stop if red
lantern was waved across the track
ahead of it?' asked Arthur.
''Of course it would" was the answer,
for if it didn't it would get into
rOuble."
Brakeman Joe even went SO far as to
initiate the boy into the mysteries of |
lis own peculiar department. OF course
lie did not invite him to walk over the |
vet roofs of the moving train. in order to !
how him how the brakes of the freight |
ars were set up: but he gave him les
on on the platform of the cabOose that
every purpose.
Then the trainmen brought out their
in lunch pals, and from their con tents,
ogether with those of the paper bag SO
provided by Aunt Charity,
he merry party of five, for of course
he always hungry Rusty was included
n it, made a hearty midnight supper.
Freight No. Is had stopped several
lines to drop or pick up loaded cars; but,
s yet, nothing had been said about leav-
ng the guests behind, or about Arthur
eading story in payment for the ear
Ter portion of their ride. At length,
rhen they were toiling slowly up
ong, heavy grade, for they were now
the western slope of the Allie
'hany mountains, Conductor Tobin
laimed the fulfillment of this promise,
nd Arthur willingly undertook to read
he story of the wild Swans" Brake
nan Joe was at his post in the cupola
n lookout. so of course he could not be
to listen to the reading. Nor
ould the conductor hear very we'll
bove the roar of the train, though the
10Y strOve to read loudly and clearly.
1t length, as it was evident that he was
training his voice and also that he was
rowing very sleepy. kind-hearted Con-
uctor Tobin gently took the book from
is hands and babe him lie down on
OFT of long bench, covered with 2 cush-
on and a blanket, that ran along one
ide of the caboose, while he finished
ne story for himself.
Here, with Rusty nestled close beside
i'm, the tired boy quickly fell asleep,
lille Uncle Phin nodded and dozed in &
ig armchair beside the stove. and the
My sounds heard were. the painting Of
be locomotive and the rattle of the
eavy train as it toiled slowly up the
teep grades. ,
Somewhere near the summit stop
as made for water. During it both
Ouductor Tobin and Brakeman Joe
ent to The forward end of the long
rain for chat with the engineer. They :
ere still talking when it was time to
tart ahead, and both men jumped into
ne cab for moment that they might
nish what they were saying. Then !
hey began to make their way back
'ward the caboose, walking as quickly ,,
nd surely over the swaying roofs of the {
ars as though they had been on solid
round.
1t had ceased to rain; but thick, :
amp mist clouds were driving over the
and they at first thought j
lis was the reason why they did not I
re the green lights, that should show !
the back of the red caboose lanterns. /
hen they became anxious, and quick 7
ned their steps. When they reached 9
10 eDd Of tho train their worst fearc