The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1904-09-16

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train on the II. and X. q. ever started
with less loss Of time.
For "A moment, as the train moved
the robbers were at a loss, 50 suddcr
| and complete was the surprise. Then
shouts and hOwls arose, cries 10 the
| guard in the engine 10 stop the train
and then, after a delay Dan had
scarcely hoped for, a sudden hush. a.
realization came to them that they had
lost control Of the train.
Duck, Kid, duck" roared Ben, from
his lofty perch; but he himself stuck
10 his post, despite the expected dan.
ger OF flying bullets.
Dan slipped back 10 the tank again.
but il was not from fear % bullets nor
from thought Of them. He feared more
thas. with all her quick start. No. 81
might not get Guficient hcadway on
her train 10 prevent the robbers from
again mounting he engine. From the
heavy pull at the start be knew that
they had not yet broken the train in
with fearful weight But the locOmo-
tive gained at every turn Of wheel,
at every crashing exhaust.
Dan pccred cautiously round the
corner Of the tank. A man, running
with all his might, was almost abreast
Of the cab, Oyerhauling the still com
paratively slow moving engine. Dan
stopped and caught up a piece Of coal
the size OF cObblestoue, braced him.
self and waited
A moment later the striving runner
reached to catch the handgrip of the
cab. Dan saw his face. white, set,
cruel, In the light OF the still open fire.
box door Then with every ounce Of
his power he flung his missile straight
at the fierce visa.c
The runners face disappeared No.
32 gaSpcd and roarcd. The train gained
speed until the engineer could pull
his throttle wide.
Dan fed his fire aud slammed tho
furnace door shut. Then he sank down
upon the steel floor, cold. trembling,
with a sudden feeling Of faintncss and
nausea. The train new on through the
night, and only when the lights
showed in the city station, twelve
miles from the scene Of the hold-up,
did Ben curb .hcr speed.
Dan had no notion Of any great merit
in what he had done. He was only
glad. Indeed, his anxiety over the
fcrocity of the blow he had struck
the bandit occupied his mind rather
than any idea that he had performed
a remarkable deed. He hoped with all
his soul that hc had not killed the
man.
But when No. 30 stopped in the great
train shed and the story was told, he
suddenly found himself hero 1t
appeared that the bandits on the
coaches, warned by the cries Of their
companions, quickly dropped from the
train when the engine started, and
that Dams action alone had thus
turned the tide against them.
The people chccred till the boy was
dazcd after Ben related Dams part
in the fight. Men and women crowded
to the engine To shake hands with him,
and showcrcd him with extravagant
compliments. Trainmen grinned at
him and Division superintendent Gray,
who was still in his Office. came down
and said things to him that made his
heart bound with pride and happiness.
for they meant bright promise for the
future.
A posse Of officers pursued the rob
bcrs, and in the course of thirty six
hours four OF them were caught.
Among them was man with three
broken ribs ana a cracked collar-bonc,,
who. the doctors said, would recover.
SO Dams anxiety was relieved.
Ii was not till che day following the
affair that the engineer and Dan talked
1t over privately They met on the
engine rs usual the next morning FOR
their outgoing trip. To Dan it was
somewhat cmbarra Ssing, for he feared
some word from Ben in personal praise
OF his exploit. The boy was modest
enough To dread most the praise which
he would most value.
How in the world did you think IL
out, DAM" asked Ben. looking at the
boy with mingled pride and affection.
He was man little given to any dem
onstration of feeling. but Dams devo-
ton to him had been too marked 10
pass unnoticcd. and the engineer was
deeply affected.
IL was the only one who could get
an excuse to move" answered Dan,
modeetly, bluShing 10 the roots of his
hair. SOMEBODY had To do some
thing"
But you knew you might get 4
bullet in you. Besides, i Look
here. boy" he cried. his big, gruff voice
deep with emotion, 1--WE thought you n
good one from the firSt-cvcn when
you backed - off the rails on the coal
dock! You're a brick! Now | know
that I'd sure have got shot last night
II it hadn't been for you. I'll have
been just fool enough. believe you
saved my skin as well as the express
messengers
Dan turned to coal UP and To cover
his confusion. You saved my living
and my chance for me once" he said,
briefy.-Thc Youths Companion.
New Britain's Policeman.