Through the Air to the North Pole | Page 2

Then the two boys discovered that their conditions in life were very
similar. Both were orphans, about the same age, Jack being sixteen and
Mark fifteen years, and neither had a place he could call home.
"My folks have been dead for some years," said Jack, in telling his
story to his companion. "I was hired out to a farmer in the upper part of
New York, but he worked me so hard and treated me so mean that I ran
away. I've been tramping ever since; don't my clothes show it? You see

I was forced to go without taking my many trunks along," and he
laughed, for he was of a jolly disposition.
"My people are dead also," said Mark. "I had a job with a man going
around the country with a traction engine, threshing wheat and oats at
different farms. But he used to beat me, so, one night, I ran away."
"And didn't bring any extra clothes with you, either," put in Jack.
"I never owned any to bring. I only had the one suit I wore."
And after that the boys had told something of their experiences and
become very friendly.
The two boys walked on for a while in silence, kicking up the dust of
the country road. Then Jack came to a halt, clapped his hand on his
pocket, and said:
"I nearly forgot I had something to eat! Just think of it! And I haven't
dined since yesterday! I wonder what the lady gave me. She looked
good natured."
He sat down on a grassy bank along the highway, pulled the package of
food out, and began to eat with every indication of satisfaction.
"Bread, meat, piece of pie and a piece of cake!" he announced, looking
over his lunch. "What did you get, Mark?"
"I got the same as you, except I didn't get any pie or cake."
"I guess your lady hadn't baked this week. Never mind, you can have
half my pie and half my cake."
"I'm sure I'm much obliged," said the thin youth.
"You needn't be," broke in Jack. "That's the law of the road. When
two--well, I suppose I might as well say tramps, for that's what we
are--when two tramps go off together, they whack up. And that's what
we're going to do!"

It did not take long for the boys to finish their simple meal. Jack, true to
his promise, shared his dessert with his companion.
"Well, I feel like going on now, and looking for a job," remarked the
heavier weighted lad. "What do you say, Mark?"
"I guess we might as well get out of this town. They don't seem to care
for us. But I wish I had a drink of water."
"Nothing easier," replied Jack. "There you are," and he pointed a short
distance ahead, where a brook ran along the road. The boys got down
on their faces near a little pool, the bottom of which was covered with
white pebbles, and drank heartily. Then, refreshed by the water, their
hunger appeased, and rested, they started on the tramp again.
"Any particular place you want to go to?" asked Mark.
"No, I'm not particular. East or west, the north pole or the south pole. I
haven't any one to worry about me, no matter which way I go. I'd a
little rather go north, though, as it is mighty warm to-day," and Jack
laughed carelessly.
Little did he guess how soon his wish was to be gratified.
"Then we may as well keep on until we get to the next town," said
Mark.
They walked on for some distance, their thoughts busy with their recent
experiences, when they suddenly heard a noise at a distance.
"Sounds like a freight train," said Mark.
"So it is! Come on! Let's get aboard! Riding is easier than walking any
day! Hurry up!"
And then the two boys broke into a run toward a slow moving freight
on a track that crossed the country road a short distance away from
them.

"Look out that you don't get under the wheels!" cautioned Jack to his
companion.
"Oh, I'm used to jumping the cars," replied Mark, as he ran quickly up
beside the rails.
The two boys reached the track along which the freight train was
bumping and clicking. It was a long outfit, with many box, flat and
gondola cars.
"Try for a gondola!" suggested Jack, indicating the cars with sides
about five feet high, and open at the top.
The next instant he had swung up on a car, thrusting his foot in the iron
step, and grasping the handle in a firm grip. Jack grabbed the next car,
and landed safely aboard. Then, running forward, and clambering over
to where his companion was, Jack