The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-10-01
AT THE THROTTLE.

Crooked Ben" he was called by
everybody In the little Colorado town.
without thought OF disrespect. The
hunchbacked boy bore the nickname.
too without thinking it other than a
common title. Few who saw him
moving about with his mis- sbapen
shoulders and underized FORM would
guess that he had talent; but the
brilliancy OF his large eyes, the
breadth OF his forehead and the pleas
ant intelligence Of his pa.e face did
much to redeem his deformity and
proved him. what he really was. a
genius. He was noted for his con-
structive skill Mechanics was his
passion and from making tiny water
wheels to whirr in the foaming noun
tain stream he soon progressed to a
study OF the engines in the round
house at the railway station. 1t was
the end OF branch road and many a
dark monster was stabbed In tho sooty
building. He pondered over them
with an enthusiastic patience and an
artists zeal until he knew every part
perfectly and was often allowed to sit
up with the engineers on short runs
and even to handle the throttle during
the switching about the yards
Alpine Junction was at the head OF
a canon One autumn day the mayor
OF the little city at the foot looking
out on the plains to the east visited
the town joined to his own by the
railway running close to a mountain
stream. often crossing and recrossing
it. In the afternoon the wind changed.
clouds came scurrying over Pixies
peak and big storm threatened
About three o'clock telegran was
received for the mayor OF the lower
town. Not twenty minutes after the
operator had. with grave face. cop
led 1t and sent off messenger a
covered carriage came hurrying
through tho wind and rain. drawn by
galloping holses The mayor alighted
and In moment was excitedly asking
the agent: when does the next
train go east?'
..At six O'clock"
THAT will not do; l must go at
once How many miles is it to the
springs?"
Sixty"
Il couldn't get there in five hours
by horses. must have an engine
A riot has broken out between the
townsmen and the workers in the
smelling works. ought to be there
now"
'Pll telegraph the superintendent
said the agent There is an engine
here but 1t is against orders to let 1T
go 1t will cost you considerable.
SIR"
ii don't care what it costs. Hurry
up the message"
The agent few to his instrument
The indicator gave no answering
click. The wires between the station
and the Springs were down. Either
the storm had broken farther east or
the rioters had cut them. He ex-
plaile1 the situation to the mayor
We'll said he. lire up your en-.
gine and let me 60 1t is for the pub.
lie good and must CO."
The agent thought moment
There is hardly chance The
man who runs the Pilgrim Edward
Forester. Is sick"
/. Then who can go with itp" asked
tho mayors host.
Il had thought said the agent
hesitatingly that as the track is
clear and will be for two hours that
II you can get Forresters consent
that maybe Ben might do it"
The gentleman clapped his hands.
Tho very one" he exclaimed. and
In a moment he was away in his car
riage to fetch the boy.
When he reached the station and
the mayor looked at the fragile.
form and the frail face
he hesitated.
Have you ever run an engine.
boy?" he asked.
Yes sir little ways But
it as we'll as anybody
Then you think you can make this
runp"
.Yes SIR"
But the mayor hesitated to trust
himself TO Bens hands and 1t was not
until the officials host returned from
a trip TO the sick engineers bed to re-
port that Forester said Ben was cap
able. that orders were given to hurry
up and try It,
The storm had risen In fury. and
great driving gusts OF rain camo tear
ing against the windows OF the depot
and the hills wero hidden in mist and
a dismal gloom overspread every
thing.
In the midst OF IL all there was n
rumble and jar and the Pilgrim stood
steaming at the platform. Crooked
Ben was In the cab with his hand on
the throttle while sturdy fireman
stood behind him.
The mayor looked again at the boy
and hesitatcd.
He'll take you through all right
said the agent. Climb up TO tho
lremau's seat and keep the bell ring
ing"
The mayor thought OF tho scenes OF
bloodshed. perhaps, taking place in
his own town. He stepped into tho
cab SOC here" i'd he 10 the