Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-02-26
CHAPTER X

arous men on the road. Like Brake
san Toe the only persons with whom
had no patience and upon whom he
rory severe whenever they came in
~ a.av we're tramps. In the present
=. he was pleased with tho sweet,
rtbfpl face of Prince Dusty, name
~ struck his fancy most happily, and
- already most favorably inclined
award our travellers.
gbus it happened that when freight
W IS pulled slowly and heavily out
aom the Arden siding Arthur and
Tnole Phin ard Rusty, instead Of be-
,g left behind on the storm
s.sten platform, were comfortably
Tod about the little round
awe in the oabooss, enjoying its CRATE
NJ warmth and very happy over their
good fortune.
"A Brakeman Joe entered the caboose
~ sat down for chat with their
-csts. Uncle Phin was too fully occu-
I'd in nursing his bruised knee TO
inter very heartily into tho conversa-
inn. hut Arthur SO easily sustained his,
mare Of it that the train men were de-.
pghted with his intelligence and ready
J. After he had told them all that he.
,nd about himself he began to ask
Nam questions, whereby he gained
much information concerning railroad
brsiness in general, and the running of
tains in particular. They allowed him
.elinb up into the cupola of the Ca
hose through the four windows Of
vh,eb he could look out into the night.
ahead, behind, and On both sides. Then
hey showed him their red and white
lanterns. and set of flags, and explained
aeir uses. Ho thus learned that If
nv accident happened to their train, it
would be the conductors first duty TO
and brakeman back on the track TO
ysye red lantern, and warn approach
/ no trains Of the danger ahead.
"Would train always stop If red
/ hntern was waved across tho track
head of it?" asked Arthur.
"Ofcourse 1t would" was the answer,
Sr Il it didn't i, would get int
. souble"
Brakeman Joe even went so far as -
initiate the boy into the mysteries OF
lis own peculiar department. OF course
. be- did not invite him to walk over the
wtroofs Of the moving train, in order 10
AoW him how the brakes of the freight
as we're set up; but he gave him les
Nn on the platform of the eaboose that
answered every purpose.
Then the trainmen brought out their
ID lunch pals, and from their contents,
sgether with those of the paper bag so
Goughtfully provided by Aunt Charity,
DC merry party of five, for of course
he always hungry Rusty was included
\ il it. made a hearty midnight supper.
Freight No. Is had stopped several
f tines to drop or pick up loaded cars; but,
4 Ryet, nothing had been said about leay-
Ing the guests behind, or about Arthur
. reading a story in payment for the ear
h her portion of their ride. At length,
X when they were toiling slowly up
. long heavy grade, for they were now
climbing the western slope of the Allie
I ghany mountains, Conductor. Tobin
n claimed the fulfllment OF this promise,
and Arthur willingly undertook to read
de story Of the "Wild Swans" Brake
nan Joe was at his post in the cupola
onlook-out, so OF course he could not DO
4 expected to listen to the reading. Rcr
. could the conductor hear very we'll
. above the roar of the train, though the
h boy strove to read loudly and clearly.
hlength, as it was evident that he was
. staining his voice and also that he was
\ rOwing very sleepy, kind-hearted Con-
ducior Hobin gently took the book from
bis hands an6 babe him lie down on a
SOFT Of long bench, covered with cush-
hn and a blanket, that ran along one
. Sde Of the caboose, while he finished
ne story for himself.
4 Here, with Rusty nestled close beside
ain, the tired boy quickly fell asleep,
shile Uncle Phin nodded and dozed in q
pig armchair beside the stove, and the
nly sounds heard were the painting OF
DC locomotive and the rattle OF tho
heavy train as it toiled slowly up the
aeep grades.
somewhere near the summit stop
vas made for water. During ID both
CONDUCTOR Tobin and Brakeman Joe
vent to the forward end OF the long
eain for chat with the engineer. They
sere still talking when it was time to
,a't ahead, and both men jumped into
ee cab FOR moment that they might
lalsh what they were saying. Then
1ey began to make their way back
Ssard the caboose, walking as quickly
"a surely over the swaying roofs Of the
as as though they had been on solid
EOund.
had ceased to rain; but thick,
'AHp mist clouds we're driving over the
co0ntains, and they at first thought
aN was the reason why they did not
= the green lights. shat should show
= ne back Of the red caboose lanterns
zen they became anxious, and quick
1ea their steps. When they reached
= end Of the train their worst fears
seN realized The caboose was no
hlger there.
ne engineer, happening 20 look
90 saw their swinging lanterns. A
Imperative whistle blast, called
ofakes. For a few moments there
IA 4 a hos ~ L 10