Evening star., 1933-07-23

h low, 8l6eI W0ckS Oh WO1Ap tA4Sy AS~0 SS>A~"
~ pleted the job. Their crowning triumph
had come the day before, when they had sold
the parts left over from the fivver for IS. a.
their original investment in 1t had been only
$375 this netted them nice profit with Whicn
they could buy gasoline.
Bill and Perry had christened the car ~.
ready It was the Rambling Wreck On Al
occasions except when they shortened 1t to The
Wreck. Bill thought that was . better name
anyway, because while they didn't yet Know
whether it would ramble they were absolutely
sure that it was Q wreck.
Would it run? That was the great ques-
ton. and they were about to learn the answer.
Having emptied the gasoline into the tank they
tossed the can aside and while Perry pr1meo
the motor Bill turned the crank.
It coughed, whee1ed, sputtered, grunted-
and then began to run. Bill hoped aboard
releasing the brakes which they had rigged up
with two-by -fours pressing against the wheels.
Perry manipulated the clutch, the leather belt
took hold and turned the rear axle, and the
Wreck began to ramble slowly along the track
"Yee-ow!" howled Bill joyfully. 'She works."
"ru say she works." exulted Perry. Lets
ride down to the station and give the town .
treat"
~OBBLETOWN still had q railroad station,
~ although only a few trains day ran over
the line. It was less than mile down the
abandoned track to the station, and the Wreck
ucSOtl6VcQ II III lulc OtylC, Will Vic WV SSys
sitting on top shouting to everybody they
passed and enjoying the bewildered stares that
followed them.
The little spur Of track on which they were
riding cut on from the main line just above
the station. As they approached it. they began
to cheer wildly, and several men hurried out
Of the building. Bill and Perry recognized Mr..
Appleton and two Of the other men. but one
of them, . tall, important looking individual
was q stranger to them.
"Yay, Mr.. Appleton" yelled Perry as they
drew closer "look what we've got"
With . flourish Perry disengaged the clutch
and Bill applied the brakes. The Wreck rolled
to q stop and the boys proudly awaited the
admiring words that they were sure would be
forthcoming.
But they got the surprise Of their lives.
The important looking stranger, ct first sight
of them, had said something angrily to Mr..
Appleton. Now be strobe over to them his
face grim.
.Who gave you permission to take that hand
car. and to operate it on this railroad hne?'
he demanded.
OKRRY'S mouth dropped open In amaze
7 ment "Permission?" he repeated why.
nobody gave US permission. We just found It
up along the abandoned track and fixed 1t up."
The tail man snorted angrily Don't you
know you are trespassing, and that you can
be arrested for stealing railroad property? Do
fool thing around, probably half killing your
selves and then suing the railroad for dam
ages? You dismantle that handcar and return
it to the railroad, and be quick about it,
Bills face had flushed angrily. Say. who
are you?" he demanded.
Mr.. Appleton, who had been watching this
scene With troubled face, stepped forward hur-
riedly "This is Mr.. Cutting, vice president Of
the railroad, boys" he said soberly you'll
have to do what he says"
For . moment Perry and Bill sat speechless
on the Wreck. Then Perry managed to gulp.
IAN right II you say 20, Mr.. Appleton" They
watched the men turn and re-enter the sta
tiou, and at that moment . boy Of about
their own age. dressed in natty knickers and
q bright sweater, joined the men. He talked
with them for a moment. then turned and
gased ct the Wreck He stared for moment,
then burst into laughter.
Perry and Bill fought back the tears Of rage
that threatened to break forth. Disconsolately
they set on the Wreck, their weeks Of work
wasted, their triumph turned into . bitter
joka.
80 be continued next Sunday9