Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-11-05

press hnd learned OF their danger, AMI
were in state Of panic that the utmos,
Efforts Of the trainmen. Themselves pale
witt alarm. could qusli Mr. Bascom
seemed parnlyzed with CONSERVATION.
aud unable 10 think Of any means Of
aycrting the catastrophe.
Badly frightened rs ho was himself,
yet Lance had been bordering deeply
during the past few minutes. Now he
Suddenly pulled MIR. Bascom's sleeve,
and raising his voice 30 rs 10 be heard
oy.r the din, he said "Iust after we
cross the next bridge there is heavy up
grader
ayes. yesl What Of IT,
Wasn't n train stalled there few
months ago Just after tho oil train hal
broken down.
Mr. Bascom nodded, he besan to un.
dorstlnd.
"woll. then, why can't we oil the
tracks and stall that ongine"
Mr. Bascom reflected for u moment
ave eau try" he said At length, bis pale
face clearing little at Is at least
chance" and he hurried away.
Lanco's idea was this, IA every one
knows when railway tracks are coated
with ice the driving wheels Of an engine
will sometimes Zip and ruvolve 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 y level this might not hap.
pen. but on a steep mp grade the head
way would ho Loot, and the wheels would
probably slip on rails covered with icoor
oil.
Mr.. Bsscom roappcar,i. pushing his
way through the terror stricken crowd
Of passengers, carrying two large oil
| cans, each containing gallon OF more
Of the thick mixture Of oil and tallow
which is used to Intricate the machinery
/ OF road engines. To each can wal at
tachod a long curved spout, on The oppo.
silo side handle.
Tho express was already mounting tho
steep incline. and behind 10, not hun.
/ drud yards distant, Toarcd the pursuing
engine, iis headlight streaming broadly
In the anxious faces Of the men gathered
on tho rear platform Of the car. Mr..
Bascom handed one Of the tallow caus
| 20 the brakemen aud then both men
dropped ON their knco7, aud leaning far
over the platform held the curved sponis
Of tho cans within flw inches Of the
rails.
As tho express Hpoi on, lance saw Tho
thick fluid rush from The lpouts upon
tho rails. which gliatcnod IN tho glars Of
tho advancing engines lighI Every
ono. passengers aud truinmcn, WHO had
crowded TO the ruar OF the car 10 witness
the experiment. held his breath ~ tho
runaway engine rushed upon tho long,
shining track.
On ii came with uulimiulshod speed;
then. yes, It was surely so--thc distance
between the express ard tho engine was
widouingl Aud now AZ the impurilcd
train labored mp tho incline. putting and
painting ike an exhausted runner, all
there uttered a wild cry OF SOY aud re-
liuf.
Engine No. 90 Ind gradually Lost IA
Roadway. and now. Kissing and snort
ing. stood still upon tho oiled track, ia
wheels revolving usolessly, with noiso
like distant thunder
a short distance farther on tho e..
lNNNH wa NV NANlilfNAAf NAAAA AAlN
ran back and mounting into tho stalled
engine turned OIL tho s,enin, rendering
tho purauing engine incapable OF further
harm. A train hand. who understood
tho business, took charge ~ u, and ran
IL back 10 the station whence u had Is.
capped.
There was meeting Of certain pas.
sengers on tho express held on the SPOT,
and vote Of thanks 10 the conductor.
Mr.. Bascom, passed. That gentleman,
however. declared that no thanks wcrO
duo him. and led forward Lance Elliott,
looking very rcd and hashful, explain
ing that tho saving OF tho express was
wholly due 10 tho boys ready suggea
ton Us to oiling the rails.
Lancs's hand was very nearly shaken
on ut the wrist by the enthusiastic pas
sengors. and much 20 his discontinue
several ladies insisted ON kissing him.
Meanwhile Mr.. Bascom had been talk
ing IN low tone TO n gronp OF well
dressed men, aud now he turned 10 N,
boy aud said with his kindly smilci
lance, my boy. these gentlemen
agree with mo that your clever idea Il
well worth the course at college you hay,
always longcd for, and they have mad,
arrangements to provide tho necessary
funds
Lance tried to find words TO expires
his thanks, but he choted and tho tear
sprang to his eyes However, tho gentle
men seemed TO think no had said enough
As the passengers resumed their seat
and the train started on again Mr. Bas
com said TO Lance, ibid | not tell you
to do your duty and let the rest take car
OF itself"
YES" answered Lance, with n swell
irg breast, "and now am going Il
climb the stairs."- liarper's Younl
People.
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