The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-16

er. Scarcely had the words left his
lips when the car gave a sudden lurch
and careened. There was q savage
bump or two, and then. with a mighty
crash, the car rolled over. High arose
a chorus of shrill shrieks and the air
was filled with binding dust.
When the train boy got back his
dazed senses he found himself crawling
up the bank of the ditch. There was
a lump on his head, a cut across his
ear, and one of his ankles was
wrenched. He looked round as he
wiped his grimy face.
The train had been dtched and il
was a bad wreck. Ahead he could see
the white cloud of steam that told Of
the engines position. The tender was
piled above It, and behind that came
the baggage and express cars and after
the four passenger cars, crushed
against one another or lying battered
and shattered along the ditch like so
many broken toys.
Jack" called a voice. The quiet
man, with his head and shoulders pro-
jecting from a window was calling to
him. Here, Jack, give me a lift.
seem to be pinned down by something"
The boy mounted the side of the
crushed car, and with a steady pull
| drew the quiet man out. "My arm is
twisted" said the latter as he looked
about, "or could have helped myself"
He gazed around and gave a little
groan. Then it seemed to Jack as il
his manner suddenly changed. He
Strengthened up. and his eyes sparkled.
I'VE must have help at once" he
| cried. "Do you know where we are?''
The next stop is Caldwell, bout
| three miles ahead" answered Jacy.
And Hammersburg is nine miles be-
yond that" said the quiet man. They
can make up a relief train there" He
| felt of his injured arm and a twinge
ran through him. He turned to Jack.
Get down into the car and bring up
my bag" he said, with swift abrupt
| ness.
Jack quickly clambered through the
| the handbag.
Here" he suddenly called. "here's
grandma-and she's all right" Almost
as he spoke the head of the lady ap-
peared above the opening, and with a
|
arm and with Jacks help below, she
| was quickly drawn through.
| She was a brave lady, and though she
| trembed little her voice was firm.
There is shady place under the
| trees on the bank there" she said as
| she looked about. Have the hurt
brought up there. I will do what can
for them. / have had experience as a
nurse"
II hope to have help here very soon, -
said the quiet man. Then he returned
to the boy. Climb that telephone pole
| there and cut the three wires on the
lower arm. Have you anything to do
the cutting WITH"
Vest sir" replied Jack. I've got q
| jacknife that will do anything"
| The boys leg was sore and his head
| hummed and throbbed, and it was hard
climbing, but ne managed to reach the
| bar. A moment later the severed wires
| fell and the quiet man had drawn a
telegraph instrument from his bag and
was sounding them. AS Jack reached
the ground he heard the rapid click
ing.
The quiet man presently arose.
AN engine with doctors will leave
Caldwell in fifteen minutes" he said
land a relief train will be made up a,
once at Hammersburg?
"Yes, SIR said Jack. what next?'
"Are you hurt?" cried the quiet mar
as he stared at the boy.
"Only scra tch sir" He flung his
coat aside. "Waitin' orders, SIR hC
said.
go down the line and tell the train
men to report to me here at once. We
must go at this work in an orderly
| way"
who shall say sent me?"
Manager Robbins"
The boy whistled as he sped along.
."The new general manager" HI
murmured, land he's corker, too"
Then followed hours of the hardes
work the boy had ever known. He wa'
the managers right-hand man, hi
messenger, his lieutenant, his devoted
aid, his faithful clerk. Through al
these scenes of suffering and toll th'
boy never faltered. The old woman go
at him and bandaged his head anC
begged him to rest, but he shook hi!
bandages at her and hurried back I,
the side of the quiet man. The que
man was a man of steel, who. with on,
arm dangling by his side, gave his or
ders, and sent dispatches and kept al
ever watchful eye on all that was done
And then when nights shades haC
fallen and a merciful coolness had COM
with the setting of the sun, and tn
second relief train was about 90 leav
and the track repairers and the wreck
ing crew We're at work, the quiet maj
turned to the boy and gripped hi
shoulder.
"Well, my lad" he said with a DIR.
sob, 1--WE have done what we could
please God" He looked at the lad
you have found me a bard master,
he said.
You are just my style" said Maste
Jack little brokenly.
Come" said the quiet man, 1--WE cal
go now" He leaned on Jacks shoulde
as they walked toward the train. II
was tired and faint. And remember,
he added, with "A little smile, that va
cation is indefinitely postponed"
"All right, sir" said JG2k,
Krause's Headache Capsules.