Golden Days for Boys and Girls, Vol. XII, Jan. 3, 1891 | Page 6

had no way to stop the train.
At that moment we heard its whistle in the distance and knew it would
soon reach us.
"We were on the backbone of Trestle Summit, where, either way, the
track descends at a sharp grade for over three miles. It was nearly six
miles to Woodsville; but I knew while the mail was climbing the up
grade we could get well on toward the station. So I said to Mr. Baxter:
"'Let's take our hand-car and go on ahead of the train. It's our only
chance.'
"We weren't long in getting the car upon the track. But we had barely
sprung aboard when the mail head-light burst into sight less than half a
mile away!
"'We are too late!' gasped Mr. Baxter; and, whether from fright,
excitement or illness, he fell in a swoon.

"The car had started down the grade. Pulling Mr. Baxter on, so he
would not fall off, I lent my strength to the car's momentum, and we
shot down the track like lightning.
[Illustration: ROCK STARTED FORWARD AND UTTERED A CRY
OF TERROR AS HE SAW THE GLEAM OF A HEADLIGHT AND
AN ENGINE AND TRAIN.]
"In my excitement, I had forgotten that it would require my arm to hold
in check the speed of the car. In fact, it had been known to get beyond
the management of its drivers at one point several times. But I had
given it a start, and it wasn't long before it was beyond my control.
Then, all I could do was to cling to the platform, expecting every
moment to be my last. We went so fast the wheels didn't seem to touch
the tracks, only now and then, and we appeared to be flying through the
air, going faster and faster.
"Glancing back once, I saw the engine-light as the train thundered over
the summit, and at increased speed shot down after us! But we were not
likely to be overtaken, going at our flying rate.
"How the hand-car kept the track I do not know; but, before I could
realize it, we had reached the valley, crossed Runaway Bridge, and
were rushing up the ascent toward the station.
"As we began to lose speed, the train began to gain on us, and I knew
the engineer was doing his best to make up for lost time.
"For the last half-mile it looked as though we should be overtaken, but
we came in with the cow's nose at our heels.
"I told them what we had done, and as soon as they got over their
surprise a party went ahead to examine the bridge."
"Well, what was the result?" asked the superintendent, who had
listened with great interest to the boy's thrilling, yet straightforward,
account of his hazardous ride. "You took a fearful risk."

"The bridge was not gone, sir, and the train passed over in safety. The
tramp had lied to us."
"And you had your dangerous ride for nothing?"
"Yes, sir, unless you could consider a notice to quit work a reward. Mr.
Gammon accused Mr. Baxter of being intoxicated, and said we had got
caught on the track to tell that story to get out of a bad scrape. I knew it
was useless to talk with him, so I have come to you."
"What sort of a job do you want?" asked General Lyons, showing by
his tone that he had not been displeased by the boy's story.
"Anything that is honest, sir, and will give me fair wages, with a chance
to rise."
"So you have an eye to the future. Perhaps you hope to have the
management of a road yourself some time."
"It shall be no fault of mine, sir, if I do not."
"Nobly said, my boy; and it is possible you hope to be superintendent
of the Pen Yan."
"I mean to do my best for it, sir." And then, as if frightened by the
boldness of his speech, he added, "I only meant to say I am going to do
my duty."
"And if you stick to that purpose as faithfully as I think you will,
success will at last crown your efforts. I will speak to Mr. Minturn of
you and he will doubtless give you a situation. Good-day."
The superintendent turned back to his business problems, and the
others in the room followed the example of their chief, disappointed at
the sudden termination of the interview.
The boy, however, seemed loth to leave. He started away, went a few
steps and paused.

Then coming back to the railing, he said, with less firmness than
formerly:
"If you, please, sir, I had rather you would not leave my case in Mr.
Minturn's hands."
"So Mr. Minturn knows you?" asked the railroad king,