Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1909-08-12
A RUN WITH THE
EXTRA FREIGHT.
Through a Burning Forest With
a Train Load of Powder.
BY RAN H. swEET
copyright, 1903. by American Press Assc-
ciation.l

~ J.. vv6G
copyright, 1905. by American Press Assc-
ciation.l
To live within sight and hearing Of a
railroad, to have q big brother who is
an engineer on that railroad and to
make trips with him whenever he will
allow and school does not interfere is
a state Of things calculated to please
the average boy, and it did please Roy
Nnsley. who vas rather more than
the average.
When he could sit on the high seat
opposite Hal he felt like Il king, and
the only thing he needed in order to
make him perfectly happy was a
chance to u the engine. If only for a
few minutes. But that was something
which Hal. who was a very careful en-
gineer, never allowed.
Yet Roy seldom lacked occupation
While on the engine. for if the bell was
not to be rung nor the whistle to be
blown he could always help Jack Dunn
to fire.
One afternoon Hal came home look-
ing vexed.
Roy, do you want to go w to Silver
ton with me tonightT he asked as his
brother met him at the door. Here
I'm just back from my run and have
got orders to take IN extra freight up
the branch tonight, which means only
four hours sleep. if l get any. But
that isn't the trouble. Dunn's sick and
not fit to be out of bed, much less at
work. 1 can't get another mar before
morning. so you see how it is. Will
you fire this trip for me?'
"Of course I will!'' exclaimed Roy.
Its just what I want. Hooray."
He rushed about to get his cap, over
alls and heavy coat. Hal smiled at the
boys excitement.
you Won't be quite so clipper by
the time we get to Silverton," said he.
IT'S hard. rough work enough when
you have to keep at it steadily even for
n strong boy like you. 1t isn't like talk
ing a turn at the shovel whenever you
fancy"
We'll, l can go and Will" declared
Roy. following his brother toward the
station, land when l get too tired and
lazy to work my passage l want to be
put Off"
\ few minutes later the freight train
pulled out of the yard. There were
only three cars, and Hal grumbled to
himself that it wasn't worth the trou-
BILE it caused. This seemed to be the
opinion Of the conductor, who wore a
remarkably gloomy c~ountenance and
appeared to be much u Of humor, al
though he said nothing whatever.
The Silverton branch ran through an
almost uninhabtted country to q large
mining settlement some thirty miles
from the Junction.
The single track was shut in by
thick woods on both sides Throughout
the greater part of this distance and
was consequently far from presenting
any objects Of interest along it's way,
But Hal Kinsley did not find fault
with it on that score. He had nc
grade crossings, switches O signals
to watch, no stray cows nor reckless
men to avoid running owe and no 9th
er trains to bother him.
IF railroading was always Nike this
he remarked at the end Of a few miles
there would be a good many less &C
cidents and a good many more en-
gineers dying of old age. But still
there's always a drawback some
where"
II don't see any now" Roy objected
between two shovelfuls.
You will. though, before we've gon'
much farther. Look at all this smoke