Through the Air to the North Pole | Page 3

pulled Mark down on the bottom of
the gondola.
"No use letting a brakeman see you if you can help it," he explained.
CHAPTER II
THE RUNAWAY TRAIN
On went the train, carrying the boys to a destination unknown to them.
All they cared for was that they were going away from Freeport and its
vindictive constable.
"How long have your folks been dead?" asked Jack, after he had settled
himself comfortably in a corner.
"About five years," was the answer. "Father and mother went about the
same time. They were poor, and I had no brothers or sisters. When I
was all alone," the boy's voice trembled a bit, "I didn't know what to do.
They wanted to send me to the poor-house, but I ran away. Then, after
knocking about a bit, I got the job with the traction engine man, until he
used me so I couldn't stand it."

"That's about my case," said Jack. "I had a brother, and he ran away
before my folks died. I guess they felt bad about him. Anyhow, mother
used to cry an awful lot. When I was left all alone I was taken care of
by some poor folks, who kept me as long as they could. Then I had to
shift for myself. I had a good many jobs, and then I thought I'd like to
be a farmer. I was sent to a place but the man wasn't very kind. He
whipped me because I made a mistake and pulled up an onion instead
of a weed. Then he beat me because I gave the horse too many oats. He
never told me how much to give. So I ran away, and I'm glad of it. I've
been cold and hungry lots of times since, but I haven't been whipped."
"I guess that old constable would have licked us if he had the chance,"
put in Mark.
"No use worrying over that. He's a good many miles away now."
"Here! What are you boys doing there?" cried a voice.
Jack and Mark looked up, to see a brakeman gazing down at them from
the top of a box car.
"We're taking a ride," answered Jack coolly.
"So I see," replied the brakeman. "Well, I guess it will come to an end
right now. Hop off!"
"Are you the conductor?" asked Jack.
"No, of course not," said the wheel-twister.
"Then don't try to put us off," went on the boy, with an assumed
haughty air. "Just send the conductor here to punch our tickets. We're
traveling first class, and don't want to be disturbed any more than is
necessary."
"Well, I like your nerve!" exclaimed the brakeman, climbing down.
"Who are you, anyhow?"
The railroad man laughed. Then Jack smiled, for he knew he and his

companion were safe. In a few words he told their stories, and the
brakeman promised they might go as far as the train went.
"You boys are all right," said the brakeman. "I have two youngsters of
my own at home, and I hope, if ever they get in a tight place, some one
will help them. Can I do anything to fix you up?"
"Not unless you can lend us about one thousand dollars each," laughed
Jack, and the brakeman joined in with him.
"Or tell us where we can get work," put in Mark, who seemed quite
worried.
"I can't say for sure where you can get jobs," the brakeman said, "but if
I was in your place I'd get off at the next town. The name of it is
Millville, and there are lots of factories there. Maybe you can strike
something. I'll speak to the conductor and have him ask the engineer to
slow up so you can jump off."
"We'd be obliged if you would," Jack said. "We may be tramps for a
while, but we're both anxious to get work, and maybe Millville will be
just the place for us."
"We're coming into it now," the brakeman went on. "It's about a mile
from here. I'll go back, and when you hear five whistles from the
engine you'll know it's slowing up and you are to jump off. I know the
conductor will do that if I ask him."
The brakeman climbed up the ladder on the end of the box car next to
the gondola where the boys were, until he reached the run-boards on
top. Then he hurried along to the caboose, where the conductor was.
"We must listen for the five whistles," said Jack. "Get ready to jump,
Mark. Don't forget your baggage."
"No danger of that," chimed in the other, falling into the joyful mood of
his companion, who never seemed to be cast down for long, no matter
what happened.

The train was going