Arizona republican., 1891-11-13

| seemed paralyZed With consternation, and unable to think of any means of averting the catastrophe.
 Badly frightened as he was himself, yet Lance had been pondering deeply during the past few minutes. Now he suddenly pulled MT Bascoin's sleeve, and raising his voice so as to be heard over the din, he said, Just after we cross the next bridge there is heavy up grader"
 "Yes, yesl What of it2"
 Wasn't train stalled there few months ago, just after the oil train had broken downg"
 Mir. Basoom nodded he began to un- derstand
 "Well, then, why can't we oil the tracks and stall that engine?"
 Mir. Bascom reflected for moment. "We can try" he said at length, his pale face clearing little. 1t is at least a 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 level this might not hap pen, but on steep up grade the head way would be lost, and the wheels would probably slip on rails covered with ice or oil
 Mir. Bascom reappeared, pushing his way through the terror stricken crowd of passengers, carrying two large oil cans, each containing gallon or more of the thicl; mixture of oil and tallow which is used to lubricate the machinery of road engines To each can was at tached long curved spout, on the oppo- site side handle.
 The express was already mounting the steep incline, and behind lit, not hun dred yards distant, roared the pursuing engine, its headlight streaming broadly in the anxious faces of the men gathered on the rear platform of the car. MT. Bascom handed one of the tallow cans 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 a 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, puffing and painting like an exhausted runner, all there uttered wild cry of joy and re- lief.
 Engine No. 20 had gradually lost its headway, and now, hissing and snort ing, stood still upon the oiled track, its wheels revolving uselessly, with 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 meeting of certain pas sengers on the express held on the spot, and a vote of thanks to the conductor, Mir. 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.
 I.ance's hand was very nearly shaken off at the wrist by the enthusiastic pas sengers, and much to his discomfiture several ladies insisted on kissing him. Meanwhile Mir. Bascom had been talk ing in 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 dBlcc "ith 1Oui NiS'NA iNNh ID 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 Mir. Bas- com said to Lance, "Did l not tell you to do your duty and let the rest take care of itselfr"
 "Yes," answered Lance, with swell ing breast, "and now l am going to climb the stairs. "- Harper's Young
 Big Belts Made of Paper.