Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1905-12-07

brakeman, ridlnB along in the moon
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 GA 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
II had an engine in front Of II. Il is
mostly down grade betwixt Greenhill
and Dunstant and Meloon says TO him
self he was sure in for a ride. The
car kept going faster and faster, and
Meloon's head began to turn round
and round. and he had TO lie down
fat on the car 10 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 a whip. and got out
Of the way just in time He was on a
! peddler cart and some of his things
spilled of. People ought to look sharp
when they are crossing the track by
night.
Pretty soon there was a whistle,
and II 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 a
smash-up if II hadn't been that the |
car began to slow down for the rea-
son that It had got on to the level |
grade. Soon II stopped entirely and |
Meloon got of and ran along the track |
a-waving 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 blame"
Mr. Studley's face had shown some
surprise as he glanced over the COM
munication.
so that is how It happened, is it?"
he said. Il 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 II. OF course,
but to tell you the truth, I'm afraid
you will find yourself in a little trou-
bic with the railroad people when they
earn the facts Here is something ,
hat may interest you" Mr. Studley,
selecting a slip Of paper from several
hat we're hanging on a nail near by, ,
handed it to Johnnie.
There is the proof of an advertise
nent that is to appear in the paper /,
his afternoon" !
Johnnie turned a little pale as he !
cad that a suitable reward would be =
Daid for information leading to the n
discovery of the person, or persons.
Who tempered with a freight car at r
ireenhill station on the night Of Octo-
yer 2S; but after a moment he said b
ravely: That's all right sir. / was q
.oing TO the station to tell Tolan
bout It, anyway" I
That's the right thing to do, OF
curse, my boy" said Mr.. Studley, o
earthly. "But should think that
GU would hardly care to have the q
tory in the paper as you have writ
en- It. OF course something will have I
D be said about II, but we could keep
our name out of IT," {
Johnnie twirled his shabby hat with
ONE embarrassment. Isn't It an in
sresting item?" he asked.
why, certainly"
Has anybody sent in a better one?" g
ontinued Johnnie, anxiously. C
ooh, / sect" exclaimed the editor, as u
new light dawned upon him you a
ant the prize that we offered Well, =
guess you are entitled to it,
He took a dollar from his pocket :
nd handed it to the boy.
You can offer that to the railroad :,
eople," he said, with a smile. "and I
aeing that you are making a clean :,
reast Of the matter, they ought to call
square"
What befell Johnnie next may best
e told from certain messages that .,
.ent over the wire between the sta a
on agent and his superior officer. Z,
hey ran as follows: n
Boy named Meloon coufesses start e
d runaway car last night Playing r
n car accidentally unset brake. Came II
nd told story own accord. Not bad h
oy, orphan, nobody responsible for
i'm. What do?-Tolan, Agent"
Give boy going over and let him
o. Tell him keep away from cars
arlow, Div Supt"
i