Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-09-09
LITTLE


A FISAL ADNrHtT'.' D II -7e A-&S
/ Conductor j." ~ ire.sht No. -,
was one Of rne biggest-hea-.5G and most
/ generous men on the road. Like Brake
| man Joe the only persons with whom
! ne had no patience and upon whom he
was very severe whenever they came in
his way were tramps. In the present
case he was pleased with the sweet,
fruthful face OF Prince Dusty, a 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 Tcbin
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 1t 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, and set Of flags, and explained
their uses. He thus learned that IL
any accident happened to their train, it
would be the conductors first duty to
send brakeman back on the track to
wave red lantern, and warn approach
ing trains of the danger ahead.
Would train always stop II red
lantern was waved across the track
ahead of ftp" asked Arthur.
''Of course it would" was the answer,
"for IL 1t didn't IL would get into
trouble"
Brakeman Joe even went so far as to
initiate the boy into the mysteries OF
his own peculiar department. OF course
he did not invite him to walk over tho
wet roofs of the moving train, in order to
show him how the brakes of the freight
cars were set up; but he gave him les
son on the platform Of the caboose that
answered every purpose.
Then the trainmen brought out their
tin lunch pals, and from their contents,
together with those Of the paper bag so
thoughtfully provided by Aunt Charity,
the merry party of five, for OF course
the always hungry Rusty was included
in it, made a hearty midnight supper.
Freight No. Is had stopped several
times to drop or pick up loaded cars; but,
as yet, nothing had boon said about leav-
ing the guests behind, or about Arthur
reading a story in payment for the ear
lier portion of their ride. At length,
when they were toiling slowly up u
long, heavy grade, for they were now
climbing the western slope Of the Allie
ghany mountains, Conductor Tobin
claimed the fulillment Of this promise,
and Arthur willingly undertook to read
the story Of the "Wild Swans" Brake
man Joe was at his post in the cupola
on lookout, SO OF course he could not be
expected to listen 70 the reading. Nor
could the conductor hear very well
above the roar Of the train, though the
boy strove to read loudly and clearly.
At length, as 1t was evident that he was
straining his voice and also that he was
growing very sleepy, kind-hearted Con
ductor Tobin gently took the book from
his hands and bade him lie down on
sort Of long bench, covered with a cush-
ion and blanket, that ran along ono
side of the caboose, while he finished
the story for himself.
Here, with Rusty nestled close beside
him, the tired boy quickly fell asleep,
while Uncle Phin nodded and dozed in "a
big armchair beside the stove, and the
only sounds heard were the painting Of
the locomotive and the rattle of the
heavy train as It toiled slowly up the
steep grades.
Somewhere near the summit stop
was made for water. During 1t both
Conductor Tobin and Brakeman Joe
went TO tho forward end OF the long
train for a chat with the engineer. They
were still talking when ii was time to
start ahead, and both men jumped into
the cab for moment that they might
finish what they were saying. Then
they began TO make their way back
toward the caboose, walking as quickly
and surely over the swaying roofs of the
cars as though they had been on solid
ground.
1t had ceased TO rain; but thick,
{at 81 tHu ri ,f,,or tbf.
mountains. and they at first thought
this was the reason why they did not
sec the green lights, that should show
In the back OF the red caboose lanterns.
Th9n they became anxious, and quick
cned their steps. When they reached
tho end Of tho train their worst fears
were realized. The caboosc was no
longer there.
The engineer, happening TO look
back, saw their swinging lanterns. A
sharp, imperative whistle blast, called
for brakes. For few moments there
was a harsh grinding of the iron brake
shoes against iron wheels, and then the
train came 10 a standstill. As II did 30
Conductor Tobin ran breathlessly up TO
tho locomotive shouting: Back down
to tho tankl Side track the train, and
run your engine back after the caboose.
It's broke loose and gone down tho
gradel No. II is coming up behind
us! There isn't one chance In ten thou
sand but what there'll bo u collisioni
We've got TO take that one though, and
do what we cam
Long before he finished speaking
Conductor Tobin was In the cab, and the
train was backing rapidly toward the
siding. Brakeman Joe had run back to
tho little green light at its end, un-
locked and thrown over tho lever, so
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