Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-08-30
SANDMAN STORY.
BY Mrs. +. A. Walker.
Copyright 1915. by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate New York City
THE RUNAWAY ENGINE.


Once there was little engine with
long train of bright cars that thought
the plavroom far too small to live IN.
One day, to the great JOY of the engine
and the Ii tie cars, the little master took
them l. the garden and when lunch
time came. there he left them, right IN
the smooth garden path.
Night came and still the engine and ITS
train of little cars stood III the garden
path and when the magic hour OF l@
struck, the little engine lcaped for Joy
Our time has come, It told the tram
of cars. Nov we will be of and you
shall see how | can carry YOU around the
world; we will run away
A big beetle came along the path and
saw the engine and tram. nat sort
of creature are you?" il asked. Are
YOU a garden animal?"
Animal indeedr' replied the little
engine. II will have you know ! am n
powerful engine, and this is my train of
cars. | can travel fast and go around
the world.
A groundwork awakened by the noise,
put out his head from under the place
he was sleeping and asked what all the
noise was about
You are queer looking creature y
travelled very fast, If YOU do not mind
should like to get IN ono of your cars and
90 along on tins trip YOU tell of
The little engine glad to have passengers
told them all To get in and IL would show
them all how fast il could travel
The firetlies thought they should like
very much to ride right in front OF the
engine itself, and it was well they did,
or knowing what would have happened
Now hold on, all Of YOU, SAID the
engine, we are off, And away II ran,
for the path WAS down n little hill. and at
first all went well, but soon the little cars
anxious to get ahead tumbcd over,
and out went the worm aud the beetle
But the little engine did not stop On
1t went, dragging the tippcd-over cars
after il. and right az the foot of the hill
It struck a stone and there II stood The
tircfies turned on their bright lights,
for they were the only passengers left
by then, and such wreck as there was
the little cars on their sides and all scratch
ed and bruised
The firetlieS flew about and looked
for the other passengers. The beetle
came flying to the spot where the little
engine stood. while the fireflics tried To
help poor worm 10 get out of the path
into safe place
why. how did YOU get here" asked
the little engine. when il saw the beetle,
"and Nusty Miller, | thought YOU fell
out. You must travel fast
Faster than YOU can they told the
engine We have wings Watch US.
and up and over the bushes they flew
and were soon ont of sight
The firefies soon came back and said
Mr. Worm was safe under some leaves
and not hurt AT all But they felt sure
that tho garden was no place for the
engine TO live in and they thoughtit better
get back 10 the playroom to hive
"1f we ever get back there we will
never wish 20 travel again, said the
little cars we wrrc never so upset
in our lives
But the little engine was not satisfied
IF II had not been that YOU were tagging
on behind me. il told the cars, Il should
by this time be almost around the world.
am sure
The frcflics, who were flying about,
gave forth blaze Of light just then,
You would have been in this pool
they said Look And there right
beside the stone that stopped H. was
black pool of water
Back 10 tho plavroom they all were
taken the next day and the little engine
talked no moro Of its wonderful power 10
travel far and fast, for il knew If it had
gone into the pool and taken all the cars
with it. that the bright. shiny paint
would have come of and r,ist would
have spoiled their beauty