The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-12-12
ST=99VEsT.VIRGINIAM ONDAY,ZDEGEMBER=I2s CO..

- AAt go =
II An EAST Tern Git ! !
! they heard some one approaching and
knowing that it wasn't railroadef
because he didn't carrya lantern. the
l:boys crawled under a car and waited
Tor the mysterious pedestrians -to
pass Sure enough, it was the pro,
4fessors. They were looking carefully
ffor the runaways. but did not dis.
Ecorer them Down the track a short
distance the pursuing party met a
traianan and solicited the aid of him
self and lantern. This an occurred
before the pair had time to change
their position. 50 capture seemed I'M
minent.
They were standing where the light
from the lantern would surely discov-
er them, and quick acton was neces-
sary-S One lad was standing with his
hand on the ladder OF a car IN the
fast freight's train. and realizing that
something had to be done, he pro-
posed that they ascend TO the top OF
the car. where they would be safe
temporarily. They quickly climbed the
ladder and stretched out oa the run
ming board The hunters passed. and
finding no trace of The boys. started
off TO search another section OF the
yard Just at this time the passen-
ger train went wtizzing by, causing
the boys a twinSe of homesickness.
Then the hairbrained idea that had
been discarded few moments be-
fore was resnrrected. and the plan
of action adopted II was that they
should ride tie freight until a large
station where passenger trains stop
ped was reached
Presently the train pulled out with
the two boys clfnsins to the running
board Their worst moment was
when the station was reached and
the train showed symptoms of stop
ping; but it was a false alarm. TO.
after signal was given the speed
was increased until fun headway was
attained There lay the youngsters
stretched out full length one hand
graspins the raised boards and the.
other In a pocket, for It was bitter
cold and both had. forgotten gloves.
When distance of. ten or twelve
miles had been covered both were
nearly nsensfDIe. but their piucky
determination and the enthusiasm
of youth buoyed them up and their
spirits never tagged. The lights OF
town were fishing by and the boy
from this city raised his head to see
where they were Zip! Away went
his hat, and before he hardly realized
his loss it was many yeards behind.
The cinders from the engine had an
noyed him terribly all the while. and
now with heavy grade TO climb and
no hat to protect his face and neck.
the pain was almost intolerable.
Fifty miles were trayersed before
a suitable stopping place was reach
ed. and here they disembarked- 1t
was now breaking day, and neither
realized how srimy and black they
were. The freight had pulled in on a
siding and in a short time passen-
ger train, bound for Washington, ar
rived, and when It pulled out TWO
young gentlemen, who would scarce
ly pass for such at the first glance.
were soundly sleeping in the smoker.
Not long afterwards Washington was
reached and down Pennsylvania ave-
nue. marched the boys, the coal-dust
and cinders still hiding their features
and one minus head-covering. Into
one of the Capital City's swellest hotels
they strutted, and luckily the clerk
recognized the Fairmonter, who was
wont to stop there when in the city.
or both would liRely have been thrown
out. Here their troubles ended, and
the next day the effervescent youth
who halls from this town. was re-
ceived in the bosom of the family
with much rejoicing. although they do
not know of his dangerous escaDade,
and likely never will unless he is rec
ognized as the hero Of this story and
that is unlikely. as several Fairmopt
boys attended that particular school
when the conaagratiou occurred, and
It's a cinch that none will expose the
lreaI ctllprit-