Evening star., 1907-11-02

another would bring the news Of the land
slide in time!
A smile crossed Jacks haggard face
It was all right. He continued to wave
his cap, his cry of stop! dangerl' grew
fainter. The painful humping did not hurt
so much now. On he sped. The creakine
wheel was a mere wreck. but why should
that trouble him. The iron monster looked
less terrible as he drew near. More rea
sonable, less TO be feared.
IF there amt a bloomin idiot on
| bike comm like all possessed down the
trackr' exclaimed Tim Murphy, the en-
gineer, reversing his engine, and turning
white under his CRIME. Why don't ht
| hear the whistle, the monkey
Tim grew cold as he tugged and shouted
out orders. Suddenly the massive engine
came to standstil. Out Of the cars
poured men and women, alarmed at the
unIooked-for stop.
The president and the owners of the
mine ran ahead to inquire why they should
! be delayed. By the roadside sat a hag
gard, wild-eyed boy and a shattered bi
cycle.
"Thunderr' said Tim Murphy, descend
ing from the cab 'if it aln't WILDLY
Mathews lad! Speak up, kid; what's the
row.
Landslide; track covered with rock an6
sandI"
Even to his own ears Jacks voice sound
ed so strange that he laughed. Then i
seemed so easy to laugh that he repeated
it again and again
Why did not they all laugh, instead OF
looking solemn? One woman was ac-
tually crying, and to make matters worse
she knelt down beside Jack, and taking
him in her arms. called him little hero
Whats his name?" asked the presl-
dent of the mine. taking out book and
pencil. Any one know the boy?"
Tim Murphy doffed his greasy cap, and
gave the required information.
I'VE must do something for him" said
the great man, scrbbling in the book.
Jack shook himself clear of the sobbing
woman and staggered to his feet.
Sir" he said in that new. faraway
voice. on! please. sir. buy a new bicycle
for Win Travers. "A chanless one. sir.
That is his wheel sir: he lent 1t to me for
ten minutes: just look at it,,
Every one looked, and one man laughed.
He was a very young man. and as he
looked from the boy to the wheel he un-
derstood
What's the matter with two new
wheels?" he cried. "Chainiess ones?''
Two or two hundred. sobbed the
woman. Give him all the wheels he
may ever want, the dear little fellow!'
Jack flushed, and 1t did him good, for
the blood. once started. reached his icy
heart and Steadied him.
The men volunteered to go ahead. and
Jack acted as guide.
When the place was reached where the
fell upon the little group. They all felt, In
one way or another that but for Jack
the sunlight might have been blotted out
for many upon that oncomng train.
The president laid his hand upon the
boys shoulder.
THAT was pretty useful ride you
took this morning, youngster. Thank
you"
VIII Travers had got tired of waiting
for Jack. and perplexed and worried, ne
had gone home to report his loss. 1t was
too late for school. and 50 he stood in
his fathers office, dOWnhearted and sor-
rowful.
There Jack found him when. side by
side with the president. as he walked In.
1t was soon explained, and when VIII
had heard all he shook Jacks hand in
congratuiatIon.
I'm glad it was my wheel you used
up. old fellow he laughed. Il shall be
prouder of the wreck than Of the new
wheel that IS coming"
Two handsome wheels soon arrived, but
stranger things happened. Widow Math
ews went out no more to do days work.
and her face grew round and rosy
Jack became the swift winged messen-
ger of the little mining town. and every
one helped him upon his flying way.