The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1908-11-26
CHAPTER xxxIv.
Just an the Clock Strikes Two.

About four o'clock in the morning
Jerry had further occasion to curse a
'Gemini's luck" A hot box" at his
end OF the coach brought the train
to a stop near the nag" station OF
Gonzales. Before the engine had come
to a standstill the fireman was at the
hot box with his torch. Jerry tried
to scramble on the trucks. but the en-
gineman had him by the nape Of the
neck before he could get to his feet.
Hey, Charley" shouted the coal
HEAVIER. and moment later big
brakeman came up. Charley" swung
Jerry around until his face was direct
ly east and then let fly a big boot with
great accuracy.
Now. you skim" said Charley"
Get over that fence and don't move
a muscle until the trains on its way.
IL you try to get back on I'll beat your
block into a Jelly"
Jerry limped to the edge Of the
right OF way and leaned against the
fence. the big trainman's eyes on him
all the time.
/ Say. pal" he pleaded. take me on
to Los Angeles. won't you? Ill fix
things with you one of these days. II
you were In my fix and had a mighty
sick mother"
Back up!" laughed the trainman.
STOPPING for a rock. Jerry was not half
a second too quick in lodging that
stone. a-.--.s.-.- sos
"on the square. old man. I've got 20
get to Los"
"rll sick mother you." but there
was no other rock handy.
The train pulled out a few minutes
later, leaving Jerry standing against
the fence. picture OF despair. He
watched the cars swing around a
curve and disappear: then he started
to limp down the track.
He kept on down the track until he
reached a siding, where he decided to
wait until freight train stopped long
enough to permit of another trains
passing II was five O'Clock In the
afternoon before a south-bound freight
drew up at the siding. He climbed
into an empty box car, at one end OF
which he sank to the floor. utterly
worn out. He stretched himself at
full length and soon was dreaming of
the beautiful land OF potpie. coffee
and sound fruit.
When he opened his eyes IL was
almost pitch dark and the car was
standing still He got up. but almost
sank down again when he found the
doors closed. He tried TO push them
open. but they were locked. Through
crack he saw electric lights and one
or two rather pretentious buildings,
and he wondered where he could be.
What time is II? What place Is
this? How long have | been asleep
Who locked these doors?" These and
many other questions flashed through
HIS mind. He was ravenously hungry
and so thirsty that his throat was
parched. He brought all Of his little
strength to play. but failed to open
the doors. He decided that he could
not possibly get out of the car until
the doors were unlocked. and he sal
down at one OF the larger cracks and
looked out into the darkness. His
/
before wagon loaded with trunks
passed under an electric light. Painted
| on its side was, Los Angeles Transfer
Company"
Good heavens." he exclaimed, his
blood running cold I'm In Los An
geles! How long have | been here
Maybe ! have been asleep for days!
| n Lot no
OF this thought almost drove him in
sane. Il must get out OF here right
away" he muttered. desperately. land
will get out II | have TO set fire &c
the carl" He felt In every pocket
but could find nothing that resemblec
a match. There was a toothpick. bu
he threw Il TO the floor with:
That's right-you rub II In. too
I've had a lot OF use for you"
When. very early In the morning
the doors were unlocked and pushed
open. Jerry Chambers was almost 1
nervous wreck. Tie had champed an6
fretted. cold chills succeeding no
flashes. for hours-days II seemed Il
him. tie was SO eager TO get out o
the car that he did not wait until thu
man who unlocked the doors had gone
and he afterwards thanked his luck!
stars that the man was too old TO giy'
chase.
The car was on a siding near
freighthouse. on by itself II was III
tie after six o'clock. but Jerry though
J only of the date-not the hour. Wit
heart almost standing still and eye