The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1905-06-16

light, and he got up on the car and
gave little twist on the brake, mean
ing NO harm at all, and of a sudden
like the car was on the move.
"Then he tried to work the brake
for to stop it, but something went
wrong, and first thing he knew the car
was on the track and going along like
it had an engine in front of it. It is
mostly down grade betwixt Greenhill
and Dunstan, and Meloon says to him
self he was sure in, for ride. The
car kept going faster and faster, and
Meloon's head began to turn round
and round, and he had to lie down
fiat on the car to keep from falling
of. He felt lonesome up there, and
he had many thoughts. A man was
nearly being run over at the crossing
by Frost's woods, but he struck his
horse hard with whip, and got out
of the way just in time. He was on a
peddler cart and some of his things
spilled off. People ought to look sharp
when they are crossing the track by
night
pretty soon there was a whistle,
and it was the freight starting out
from Dunstan. When Meloon heard
that, he was sure sorry that he had
got on to the car at ALL
Then the headlight came in sight,
and there was likely going to be
smash-up # it hadn't been that the
car began to slow down for the rea-
son that it had got on to the level
grade. Soon it stopped entirely, and
Meloon got off and ran along the track
awaving his hands. Before he had
gone far he sees that the train had
stopped too, and then he ran into
some bushes abreast of the track and
so into the road, and home as fast as
his legs would take him.
''If somebody wants to know why
didn't Meloon go and tell the men on
the freight how it happened, Meloon
says he was afraid they would be wild,
and it is no good to talk to men be-
fore they get cooled off. But Meloon
is not afraid to tell what he did, and
he expects to stand the Name"
Mr.. Studley's face had shown some
surprise as he glanced over the CON-
munication.
$50 that is how it happened, is it,"
he said. 81 had heard something
about this before. In fact, your little
escapade created quite an excitement
in some quarters.
'Did you bring this in to be print.
ed?' he continued, rather seriously,
although there was an odd twinkle in
his eye.
Eyes, SIR" was the reply.
"I'm willing to print it, Of course,
but to tell you the truth, I'm afraid
you will find yourself in a little trou-
BILE with the railroad people when they
learn the facts. Here is something
that may interest you" MIR. Studley,
selecting slip Of paper from several
that were hanging on a nail near by,
handed it to Johnnie.
''There is the proof of an ADVERTISE
ment that is to appear in the paper
this afternoon"
Johnnie turned little pale as he
read that a suitable reward would be
paid for Information leading to the
who tempered with freight car at
Greenhill station on the night of Octo-
Der %; but after a moment he said,
bravely: 'That's all right, sir. was
going to the station to tell Tolan
about it, anyway"
"That's the right thing to do. Of
course. my boy" said Mr.. Studley,
heartily. But l should think that
you would hardly care to have the
story in the paper as you have writ
ten it. Of course something will have
to be said about it, but we could keep
your name out of it,
Johnnie twirled his shabby hat with
some embarrassment. isn't it an in
teresting item?" he asked.
''Why, certainly"
HAS anybody sent in a better one?"
continued Johnnie, anxiously.
ooh I see!" exclaimed the editor. as
new light dawned upon him. you
want the prize that we offered. Well,
guess you are entitled to it,
He took dollar from his pocket
and handed it to the boy.
"You can offer that to the railroad
people," he said, with a smile, land
seeing that you are making a clean
breast of the matter. they ought to call
it square,"
What befell Johnnie next may best
be told from certain messages that
went over the wire between the sta
ton agent and his superior officer.
They ran as follows
boy named Meloon confesses start
ed runaway car last night Playing
on car accidentally unset brake. Came
and told story own accord Not bad
boy, orphan. nobody responsible for
him. What do?-Tolan. Agent"
'Giye boy going over and let him
go. Tell him keep away from cars
Barlow. Div. Supt"
"Boy wants to know about reward
for information. Would like pass
Tolan."
"Give boy pass into the street.