The Washington times., 1905-05-07

er quicker than he liked They had
ga0ged 1t well, the pilot stopped nearly
opposite them.
Crawl up, take your time; that's it.
Now catch your heels in the cross bars,''
commanded Howe as they quickly clam
bered up.
Now, we are it" he exclaimed as
they settled on the pilot beam. Come
on old smoke wagon.
AS il in answer to the taunt a hoarse
roar tore through the smoke box, the
air was filed with the fiery uprising
of red cinders, the beam swung from
side to side over a heavy slip of the
grinding drivers. John chung to his
beam-despite it's swing 1t seemed re-
freshingiy soi1d! Then silence for q sec
ond. then with a heavy exhaust they
were off.
I wish I had that idiot by the neck,
howied Howe nearly standing on his
head in frantic effort TO d1slodge u
hot one' from under his collar.
| Never drop sand at a stop they rip
an engine wide open. I wish I was his
master mechanic-scare you John?''
L decline to answer questions coming
from Il man in your menal condition."
responded John dryly.
An right. young nan. just wait until
you get a pound OF red hot fire down
your back and then I'll do the Ben
Franklin act"
Meanwhile. the train had gathered
| 1eadway. To John it was very strange.
very awesome. yet delightfully."- fascinat-
| ing-the divergent rays of the headlight
glowing in quick broken ripples against
ghostly cuts. darting amid the swaying
| . g
momentariiy, like a free, swift-hying
| bird, in the sudden out-fiashing of cot
| take windows-the upsprlnging into
spectral prominence and feeting flight
(; into the night OF all things. The heavy
| bound from curve to tangent-the grind
| ing backward return; the sense of q
mighty, irresistible power; rioting in
thrust of piston or grim dance OF rods:
/ the meteor flight Of lighted hamlets.
their lights streaming back Ike stripes
on d wide-f1ung banner, and over all
| the sheet of living fire. punctuated by
| the hoarse tear Of the eager crowding
| eXhausts.
How do you like ft?" asked Howe.
I'm just beginning to live" came the
| answer. Howe noticed the vibrant ring
in the voice and clasped the hand rest
| ing near his, approvingly.
4 long whistle, then the clatter of
valves. replaced the tumult of rushing
| steam.
won't the people at the station see
us2'
''No, indeed; this is the darkest place
on the train. Haven't you ever noticed
| how people will stare at the headlight
until it is on them and then drop their
blinded eyes whilst the engine passes?
Watch now!" and John saw he was
right.
"Our only trouble will be at York,
where the cinder-throwin~ high priest
VIII probably annoint the combination.
There is a coal bin a little way this side.
but we Will be safe there-too much
coal scattered on the ground for the oil
| artist Now. when we get 10 York we
will watch which side he gets down
on. crawl up on tha running board on
the opposite side, crouch down, and
when he gets through and is getting up
with the torch fare In his eyes we will
regain our places. No danger of the
fireman seeing us: it only takes about
four minutes to get water
Howe proved a good prophet At
| York things worked like clock work
Dodging the burly old engineer proved
| an easy task. The strong face, torch
iIlumined. peering for oil holes, pass
ing unsuspecting foot from his own.
gave John great iaclination TO laugh
aloud.
Then they came upon long silver
| line with misty oval emeralds on its
j shining bosom.