Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 506) (1887 04 05)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
FOURTH EDITION, = = | Ou | ja [pm (eR | (|| po AW NN \ \ berets WX \\ SAN Yona at BY J. ©. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘BLUE-GRAsS BURT,” “ BROAD WAY BILLY,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. 4 SPEEDING TO DOOM. My God! they are doomed! Engineers, firemen, passengers—all, all are doomed. No hand can save them. A single track; two Ex- press-trains rushing toward each other at light- ning speed; both engineers confident of their right to the road; and I—I am powerless to stop either train. dh! my God! I shall go mad SSS SS i va hg icht f —S SS SS 1 il SS SSS SSS he time was night, | SEIZING THE RED LIGHT SIGNAL RALPH LEANED FROM THE ’ Without, all was an inky blackness, for dark SWUNG IT WILDLY ABOUND, CAB WINDOW AND
Page 2
— oe ee OTe x Pa: in iii ahs and lowering clouds hid the stars from view, | and there was no moon. Ii vras a nicht in mid October, and the hour was ten—or a little later, perhaps. The scene was in the train dispatcher’s office of the Mansfield, Cranston & Oakvale Rail- road, at Mansfield, in one of the Eastern States. Besides the dispatcher, Horace Humphrey, and his operator, Clark Conrad, there were three or four other persons present in the office, chicf among whom was Mr. Marvin Morgan, the superintendent of tie road. Of the others, one was Ralph Raymond, or “* Redlight Ralph” as he was popularly known, the youngest engineer on the line, He was barely twenty years of age now, and having held his place on the *‘ right” side of the ““cab” for two years or more, was still known as the ‘‘ Boy Engineer.” His father, now dead, had been an engineer | | the right-of-way conferred by special order, is on the same road, and at the early age of fifteen Ralph had begun his career as fireman on his father’s engine. Two years and a half later, just before the death.of his father, he performed an act of the most daring bravery, saving an accident which might have cost a hundred people their lives, and gaining for himself the sobriquet of ‘‘ Red- light” Ralph. ‘or that act of bravery he received the high- est praise from the officers of the road, and up- on the death of his father was promoted to the vacant place, boy though he was. And up tothe time of our story he had per- formed his duty as faithfully and well as his father could have done. . Previously to his going upon the road as fire- man, he had studied and mastered the arf of telegraphy, practicing at the “key” ger hay his spare time out of school in one of the local stations on the line, and now besides being an engineer he was a tolerably good operator. On the night of which we write he was wait- ing at Mansfield to run out a special train. {r. Joseph Jasper, the president of the road, with his family and several of the directors, with theirs, were going to Oakvale, the western terminus of the road, owing to. rumors of a threatened strike, and Ralph Raymond had been chosen to run their train. They had expected to leave Mansfield at. ten o'clock sharp, but it was now some minutes past that hour, and still the party had not come down to board the cars. Ralph’s engine, with two cars attached, was standing on the side-track a few steps from the office, and he had just ‘toiled around” and made everything reacy for the start. Phil Peters, the conductor who was to have charge of the “ ial,” was in the office getting the “‘running-order,” and had calied Ralph in to sign his name to the “ order-book.” The order bad been signed and delivered barely a moment, and Phil and Ralph were com- paring their watches with the office-clock, when, suddenly, the dispatcher sprung to his feet, his face as pale as death, and a cold perspiration starting out upon his forehead, and uttered the words with which our story opens, ‘Heavens! what do you mean?” demanded the superintendent, he, too, springi g up with blanched face; ‘‘ what is the trouble? The operator, as pale as his superior, sat with tremblin Sneey grasping the open “key,” ready to flash forth any orders that were given and all ‘the others present fixed their, eyes at once upon the horrified dispatcher. __ “T mean just what I said,” Mr. Hum hrey confirmed, as he pressed his hands to his ee ; ‘Trains No. 9 and No. 6 are rushing toward each other at lightning speed, and there is cer- oifision. Nothin tain to be a,c g can be done to save them.” ‘¢ Where are beh and who is at fault” Mr. Morgan thundered. “Tt is the fault of the operator at Cranston sir, and the trains are between Cranston and Greenwood. Train No. 9 is twenty-five minutes late. I gave orders to the operator at Cranston to ‘flag and hold’ that train until Train No, 6 / arrived. Then I gave Train No. 6 orders to run to Cranston regardless of No. 9. Now the operator at Cranston tells me that his red- light went out, and that No. 9 has passed his station.” ' ““Oh! my God! they are doomed—doomed !” All present clearly understood the situation now, and all shared the dispatcher’s alarm. , Let us explain the matter more fully. Train No. 9 was an Express-train going west, and had the “right-of-way” over train No. 6, which was an Express-train bound east, The nilar “ passing-point ” of these two trains was af Uae toot. There, unless ordered to run —— Ee — — —_ A ee ye ale Patt A rey SRG WB 289 ES SLE hs eee 4 J eet eet a? ’ edlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. torres, i aks Se i" bi ae br Re ee ee . : further by special orders from the dispatcher, Train No. 6 must wait until Train No. 9 arrived, On this occasion Train No. 9 was twenty-five | | minutes late, and the dispatcher saw that he could advance Train No, 6 to Cranston, thus saving that train the twenty-five minutes wait at Greenwood. Accordingly, he gave orders to the operator at Cranston to stop N hold it until No. 6 arrived. Irben, that order having been repeated as understood, he gave orders to No. 6, at Greenwood, to run on to Cranston regardless of No. 9. A few moments later the operator at Cranston | reports that he has failed to execute the order | given him, and that No. 9 had passed his station. The danger is shown. Train No. 9 is rushing on toward Greenwood, having the right-of-way under the regular rule; and Train No. 6, with speeding toward Cranston. lt is a single-track road, and there is no station between the points named. A collision seems certain to follow. For a moment no one spoke. All fully real- ized how helpless they were. Then suddenly Redligbt Ralph exclaimed: There is one chance—one chance in a thou- sand, it may be, but still a chance.” All eyes turned instantly to him. “A chance to prevent this impending col- lision?” the superintendent queried in eager haste. : “Yes, sir.” “Then tell us what it is, and quickly. Not an instant is to be lost.” “You are right, sir;not a second can be spared. Instead of explaining my idea, I must ewecute it. ‘“Mr. Humphrey,” turning quickly to the dispatcher, ‘you: said Train No. 10 is in, I be- lieve.” ‘Yes, Ralph, No. 10 is in.” ' ‘Then I have a clear track, and I will try my plan.” Before another word could be spoken, then the Boy Engineer had flung open the door an sprung out inte the.darkness., Hurrying to where bis engine was standing on the side-track, he quickly cut it loose from the two cars, and then sprung aboard and sounded the whistle for the switchman to turn the switch. The fireman was in the cab, and as soon as the switch was turned Ra'ph pulled open the throt- tle, and away the “‘ iron-horse” bounded, like a thing of life, much to the fireman’s surprise. Where be ye off to, Redli ht?” that gentle- man inquired hastily, ‘ Ye’re leavin’ yer cars!” “T know I am,” Ralph responded. “Tm off for Haddingdon Junction, Dan, and we must make the very bestrun on record. Itis a mat- ter of life or death. Look to your fire.” Dan Dawson knew Redlight Ralph well enough to know that no further questions would be answered then, so he stepped down from the cab and interested himself in his fire, while the — dashed away ‘like the very wind. ddingdon Junction was about four miles from Mansfield, It was but a small station, and had no telegraphic connection with the latter | pai How, by going there, -could the Boy ngineer hope to avert a danger that was threatening two trains more than forty miles away? e must follow him to learn. First, however, let us return for a moment to the dispatchey’s office, . : ‘“‘ By heavens!” exclaimed Mr. Morgan, as he heard Ralph whistle for the. switch and saw him start; ‘‘ that young dare-devil is going out! Where can he be going? What infernal nonsen- sical idea has he got his mind?” And then the: superintendent gave way to a flood of pro- fanity that almost turned the air blue. **T cannot understand what his idea is,” de- clared the dispatcher. . “It is over forty miles to Cranston, and how he is going to prevent those two trains from running together is more than I can see.” . : ‘*He can’t do it!” the superintendent exclaim- ed, hotly, ‘and J would like to know what his idea is’ ‘Whatever it is, sir,” said Phil Peters, the conductor, r tfully, “‘you may safely bet your hat that ight Ralph knows what he is oin ” \ te Richest he does, Phil, but I guess nobody else does.” “T confess that Z don’t, sir, but all the same I'm willing to bet that it is no fool’s idea he has got. He is just like his father used to be; he never makes a move without knowing just what he is doing and why he is doing it.” Peters was one of the oldest conductors / 0.9 there and | Seen ee eee ee ee a H | on the road, and such _a recommendation from | him was as good as gold. : | While these remarks were being made, Ralph’s engine had passed out of sight. A moment later and Mr. Jasper and his party came down to their cars, and Mr. Jasper and one of the directors, a young man named Ly- + man Lambert, entered the office. ‘““Where is our engine, Mr. Morgan?’ the president asked. In a few words the superintendent explained the whole situation. ‘*My God!” the resident cried. ‘*Can there be nothing done? ust those trains rush on to destruction?” ‘‘Notbing can be done, sir. We.are utterly | helpless. There is no station between the two points, you know.” ‘Then they are doomed, indeed.” ‘*But this kas nothing to do with our case Mr. Jasper,” young Lambert complained, ‘‘ an I hope you will have that young engineer dis- charged immediately. The idea, sir, of our being detained here in this way!” ‘Mr. Morgan will do whatever is right, 1] am sure,” said Mr. Jasper, calmly. ‘‘ All we can do is to sit down and await :the result of the next few minutes.” instruments, and now he said: ‘ “Mr. Humphrey, the operator at Watson’s reports that stock-train as having passed there.” “Good heavens!” cried the dispatcher, ‘* an- other collision is bound to come! Hereis a stock-train, which should be lying at Watson’s, coming on to Mansfield against orders. Redlight Ralph is riding to his death!” And so it seemed. Watson’s was a station a mile east of Haddington Junction, and but three miles west from Mansfield; and if a stock-train | had left there, as reported, another collision seemed inevitable. CHAPTER IT. A CLOSE CALL, AND such, as Clark Conrad, the operator, had reported, was the case, here was no station between Watson’s and | Manstield, and here, as in the other instance, the dispatcher was powerless to avert the danger of a collision. Redlight Ralph had the right of road. This he knew, of course, before starting, as -his inquiry concerning Train No. 10 proved. No. 10 was a local passenger-train, due at Mansfield about nine o’clock, and had arrived there about ‘‘ on time.” This train being “‘in,” the only other one the neg would have to “ ‘lay’ out” for was Train 0..6, The order Ralph was running on was this: “PeTers & RAYMOND:— ‘Run as special train to Oakvale, regardless of all second-class and itregular trains. : *31— Marvin Moraan, vrer aH, oH.” “+920. K.” This order gave the special train the right of way over every other train then on the road, ex- cepting Trains No, 10 and No. 6; and the first- named of these being “in” at Mansfield, Ralph, in starting as he did for Haddington Junction, for what purpose only himself knew, had the en- tire right of road to that point, and could run without fear of meeting any other train or en- gine. “ All second-class and irregular trains, of co had been notified of the special and to keep ou of its yay, : ‘ Little did Redlight Ralph dream of the danger that lay ahead. Little did he imagine that an irregular second-class train, regardless of its orders to the contrary, was speeding toward Mansfield right in the face of the expected s cial, and already upon its time. ; Yet such was the fact. The conductor of the irregular stock-train was a very reckless fellow, who had more than once disobeyed orders to gain a point, and who*had got himself into teoniile for so doing. And his engineer was but little better. They had received notice of the special at a station some miles west of Watson’s, and at once they resolved to run to that point to meet it, This was making about as close a run as could be made with safety, but when they neared that station the conductor went forward to the en- gine to consult with the engineer about keeping right on to Mansfield. “Thunder, man!” the engineer protested, “it can't be done! Wecan’t turn a wheel beyond Watson’s_without being on the time of that special. No, sir; Watson’s is as far as we cap go. — The dispatcher’s operator had been busy at the . .
Page 3
a4" i | i } y af 4 4 AY emt Pt ee 2 ete — SS “ £ i Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. “But these special trains never get out on time,” the conductor urged, ‘‘ and we can go on to Mansfield as well as not. We won’t be more than ten minutes on her time anyhow, and we can blow out our headlight when we get near there, and steal into the upper end of the yard unseen.” “‘ It’s a mighty risky thing to do.” ‘Tt is better than laying out at Watson’s for thirty or forty minutes, though, and besides, it ‘won't be the first time we’ve stretched our or- ders and made close runs.” ‘*No, I know it won’t; but we risk our lives every time we do it,” * Oh, well, if -you’re afraid to do it, why, .we can lay there! Call for brakes, and we'll take the side-track.” **T'll call for nothing! If you think that I’m afraid to go on to Mansfield, by thunder, you’re mistaken! I dare go anywhere where you dare ride. We'll go there now, or we'll go to Hades, and if we meet that special, there’s where we will go, and the president and his party along with us!” With a vicious jerk the engineer pulled the throttle wide open, and away ae flew. Not only were they taking their own lives in their hands, but they were endangering the lives of others as well. ‘* Nodanger of it,” the conductor cried. ‘‘ This beats laying out thirty or forty minutes—or an hour it may be—at Watson’s, and we shall be - home and in bed before that special leaves Mans- field at all.” And on they rushed. Here were two disasters of a similar kind im- pending, on the same road and at alimost the same time; and while Redlight Ralph was speed- ing to save one collision, though by what means only he himself could have told, he was unconsciously rushing into the same danger himself, And, if possible, his danger was even more imminent than that which threatened the two Express-trains; for while the distance between Cranston and Greenwood was twenty miles, from Mansfield to Watson’s it was only three, and while the Express-trains still had each from eight to nine miles of clear road ahead, the Special engine and the stock-train had but a mile to go ere they would meet. To those in the dispatcher’s office, and the president’s entire party was there now, every passing moment was an age of terrible and pain- ful anxiety. In the presence of ladies Mr. Morgan had ceased swearing, and he stood near the dis- patcher with clinched hands and knitted brows, silently waiting to learn the result of the threat- ening disasters, Mr. Jasper and the several directors, except Mr. Lambert, stood in a group behind the oper- ator on. the other side of the table, Mr. Lambert was devoting himself to the ladies of the party, and especially to the presi- dent’s lovely daughter, Miss Jeanne Jasper. d thus they waited in painful suspense to learn what news the next few minutes would bring. We, with the author’s privilege, will antici- pate the telegraph by following the Boy Engi- neer and keeping apace with his now flying mee out upon the main track, Ralph had opened wide the throttle, and his noble engine bounded away like a meteor. Then while Dan the fireman, was looking to his fire, he debated in mind bis plan of action, _ From Mansfield to Haddingdon Junction, as we have stated, the distance was four miles, and the Boy Engineer wanted to make the run in as many minu‘es, or in five minutes at the most. If he could do this, he would arrive there in -time to carry out the plan he had hit upon to save the Express-trains from collision; but \ whether he would find it practicable tocarry out that plan remained to be seen. | ‘He could do no more than try it, By the time he would reach Haddingdon Junc- tion, the endangered trains would each have consumed about seven minutes of time from Greenwood and Cranston respectively, and would be within five or six minutes, at most, of meeting; for both trains were no doubt running at ligh é Would he be in time to save the horrible col- lision? Heaven grant that he might! But his ridineateas could it be? Where the ¥ train-dispatcher and superintendent were at loss and in despair, what could he do? On, on he flew, like a ball from the cannon’s - qrouth, with his eyes fixed upon the track ahead ere the headlight flashed its piercing gleam. The night was intensely canes beyond the e > i vi range of the headlight nothing could be seen save here and there a momentary twinkle of light as some house was passed, or seemed to sweep past itself, like a very flash. Dan Dawson was toctured with curiosity to — the ‘why and,wherefore” of this wild ride. Could it be that Redlight Ralph had suddenly gone rad? One glance across at the calm, stern face and keen eyes of the Boy Engineer reassured him upon that point instantly. Why, though, was he going to Haddingdon Junction? and what had he meant in saying it was a matter of life or death? . Unable to curb his curivsity any longer, he finally turned to ask questions, when, with light- ning-like moves, Ralph shut off steam, threw back the reverse-lever and opened the throttle again; then pulled the sand-bar and put on the air-brakes, at the same time sending forth a shrill scream from the whistle, and seizing the red light signal he leaned frem the cab window and swung it wildly around, It was all done in a second, seemingly, and filled with alarm the fireman, half blinded with the glare of light from the still open fire door, glanced ahead instantly to learn the cause, when, to his almost paralyzing dismay, he beheld the headlight of another engine rushing around a curve and down the grade to meet them. His heart almost ceased to beat. It would be folly to state that Ralph was not alarmed, too, for he was; but he was not too much alarmed to act promptly, and the moment he had done all in his power to stop his engine, he looked ahead again. The other. engine was almost upon him. “Stand ready to jump, Dan!” he shouted to the fireman, ‘‘but don’t jump till the last mo- ment!” ‘* All right,” Dan managed to gasp, and quick- ly he put himself in position to obey the advice. It was a trying moment. Confident of his right to the road, Ralph could but wonder what the opposing engine or train could be. But there was no time to debate the question, for the danger was right at hand. The two blazing eyes—the headlights—were glaring at each other, but. a short distance divided them, and still they. rushed on as though determined to test their skill and strength at butting. What the alarm was on the engine of the stock-train, we will not attempt to describe. That engineer, too, had reversed his engine, and was doing all in his power to stop, but: being ona down-grade and having a heavy train, to The next moment the engine stopped, and Ralph releasing the brakes at just the right mo- ment, it at once began to run backward, gain- a * speed with every turn of the wheels. he space between the two engines at that last moment was not more than ten feet, and the stock-train still rushed ahead at great speed. It was a narrow escape. : Ralph continued running backward to keep out of the way, whistling loudly for brakes the while, and finally the stock-train was stopped, Then Ralph got down and went forward to the other engine, where he addressed the con- SS and engineer in terms more forcible than Pm What are you doing here.on my time?” he demanded. ; ‘‘We forgot the order to lay back for the special,” the conductor answered, falsely, “« Well, it will be the last time you will forget an order of the kind on this road, I think, is is the second time my life has almost paid the penalty for your carelessness, and if you are allowed to run another trip, either of you, I shall resign. Now you run on down to that switch and take the siding, and see that you don’t get out of it, until I return to eld and come out with that special.” “All right, Redlight, well get out of your Way assoon as wecan. Say, though, can’t you let this pass and say nothing? Tlere’s no harm done and—” «aso, sir’ Ralph answered, emphatically, If I had had my train, I should now bea dead man, Nothing could have hindered the colli- sion. I shall report the case as soon as possible.” Returning to his engine then, Ralph backed down to a switch not far away, and the stock- train ran onto the side-track. Then, once more cautioning them to remain there, the Boy Engineer started on toward Had- dingdon Juncti n, and was soon running at full speed as before. ‘Ginger! but that was a narrow escape!” his fireman exclaimed. “Tt certainly was,” Ralph admitted. ‘‘ But,” he added, consulting his watch, ‘‘ there will be a narrower one, I am afraid.” CHAPTER III. AN INTERESTED DIRECTOR. THIS unforeseen adventure had detained the se Engineer over three minutes, t was a serious loss of time. Run as he would, he could not hope to reach Haddingdon Junction in less than eight min- utes now, counting from the time of his start from Mansfield. Could he hope to reach there in time to pre- vent the threatened collision? It now seemed extremely doubtful. By the time he could reach there the two Ex- press-trains, forty miles or more away, would be within two or three minutes of meeting. lt did not seem possible for human power to save them now, nor had it from the first; and it did seem folly for Ralph to be making the at- tempt. But, as Phil Peters bad declared, Redlight Ralph knew what he was about, if no one else did, as the superintendent had supplemented ; and he did not mean to give up while a ray of ee could be seen. n, on he flew, and soon the light at Watson’s Station came in sight. —_ Ralph shut off steam and slackened his speed. ‘* Be ye goin’ ter stop?” inquired the fireman. Yes,” brifly. ‘* What fer? I thought ye wanted ter git to Had'don June, in sich haste.” ‘I’m going to slack up at Watson’s to let you get off.” : ‘Ter let me git off! What's that fer?” ‘“*T want you to take your redlight and not allow any train or engine to pass there tillI get back from the Junction.” “Oh! I see. All right, ye kin trust me fer that.” “TI know I can, Dan. You see I can’t get any orders at the Junction, as there’s no wire of this line’s in that office, so I must protect myself coming back as far as Watson’s.” “Yes, I see, now, I'll keep yer road clear fer ye, you bet!” ‘* Well, here we are, so off with you.” Dan Dawson picked up his redlight and sprun off upon the station platform, and en Pals jerked open the throttle and was on his way again like a flash. The telegraph operator came out of his office at once and accosted Dan. ‘* What engine was that?” he asked. ‘That were th’ No. 8, surnamed ‘ Quickstep,’ th’ best engine on th’ bull line,” Dan answered, promptly; ‘tan’ th’man what’s got his paw on th’ throttle is Redlight Ralph, th’ Boy Engi- neer. ** Where's he going?” » ** Said he was goin’ ter Had’don Junc., and I reckon he’s there by this time,” In truth, Ralph’s engine was already out of sight. % But, didn’t you meet that stuck-train?” the operator inquired. ‘“* You kin bet your life we did, youngster!” ** And how did you get by?” “How did we get by? Why, bless your youthful soul, youngster, we jumped right over it. We—” “No, no fooling; it is the dispatcher who wants to know.” “Oh! that makes a difference! Why didn’t ye say so? Ye kin tell him we did meet th’ stock-train, and came almighty near bumpin’ noses with it, too, but we didn’t, We ’scaped jest by th’ skin of our teeth, an’ th’ stock-train is now on th’ side-track at Big Rock sidin’. ‘Say, though, what train was it? and what biz—” But the operator was gone, He had at once dodged back into his office to report to the dispatcher what he had learned. ‘ “Thank God!” Horace Humphrey the dis- tcher exclaimed, as he received the news, ‘one collision has heen averted, and Redlight Ralph is safe!” and he threw himself back in ms chair and wiped the perspiration from his ‘ace.
Page 4
= — eee _ - Seer o patos Neer ee he et p ig 3 tay ae cory tg ee bell . ‘ 7 oust Vee ey / ef joys prlen, sis ae - i : ‘ » > A» gih Paks me Ye | Jd Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. “You say Ralph is safe?” demanded Mr. Morgan, eagerly; ‘* where is he?” Mr. Morgan not being a telegrapher, could not, of course, interpret the magic clickings of the little instrument on the table. “Yes, he is safe,” Mr. Humphrey affirmed, ‘*and has gone on to Haddingdon Junction.” “Thank heaven for this news!” burst from the lips of nearly all present, and from none more fervently than from those of pretty Jeanne Jasper, at which the face of Mr, Lyman Lambert darkened. ** And where is the stock-train?”’ the superin- tendent next asked, ‘‘and how was the collision avoided?” ‘‘The stock-train is in the Big Rock side- track, sir. They came very near colliding, as Ralph’s fireman reports. cannot give any particulars till I learn more.” " ate Ralph has gone on to the Junction, you sa % Yes, sir; and has left his fireman at Watson’s to protect his return to that station.” “ Bully for Ralph!” cried Phil Peters enthusi- astically. ‘‘ When you catch him off his guard, it will be after he’s too old for service!” ‘He is indeed a good man,” the superintendent acknowledged, ‘‘ but I must confess I do not un- derstand what he is going to Haddingdon Junc- tion for.” ‘‘ No, nor I,” declared Peters; ‘‘ but, as I said before, you can bet that he knows, and—” ‘By heavens! I have it!” So exclaimed the dispatcher, as he sprung to his feet and brought his fist down upon the table with a bang. ‘You have what?” demanded Mr. Morgan. ‘7 have guessed of eg. ae Ralph set out in such te for Haddingdon Junction.” “You have?” ‘* Yes: but,” as he glanced up at the clock, ‘‘I fear this delay he has met with will balk his plans, though Heaven grant it may not,” ‘* T knew it!” exclaimed.Peters, “‘‘ I knew the boy knew what he was doing!” ‘But, what is he doing?’ demanded the super- intendent, considerably nettled that he could not see the point. For reply, Mr. Humphrey took a small rail- road map down from its place on the wall, laid it on the table, and with his index fingers point- ed out two stations on it simultaneously. One of these stations was ‘‘ Haddingdon Junc- pgs and the other was a place called ‘‘ Hills- ale, ‘Hip! hip! hurrah!” yelled Phil Peters, as he snatched off his cap and flung it up to the ceil- ing, ‘* what did I tell ye?” ‘Can he do. it?’ the superintendent asked, fairly trembling now with mingled excitement, anxiety and hope. - ‘‘ There is a possible chance, sir, but it is only one chance in a thousand—in ten thousand, I may say. By the time Ralph reaches the Junc- tion those trains will be within two or three min- utes of each other, and only the promptest kind of action can save them.” “And that’s just the sort. of action the boy engineer is full of,” declared Peters. “If any man alive car saye them, he is the one.” “No doubt of that,” the dispatcher admitted, “but a further delay of a single minute after he reaches the Junction will render the plan useless. ine ithe chances are decidedly against it, any- ow. “Will you oy. x.) man’s idea is, Mr. Morg rr. Pt Certainly, sir;” and the superintendent did 80. “The young man is a quick thinker,” the president declared, ‘‘ and as quick and prompt to act. I admire him. But, Mr. Humpprey,” turning to the dispatcher, ‘there is something about fhat order of yours which I do not clearly understand.” 3 ‘“* What is it?’ the dispatcher inquired. | “You say that Train No. 9 is twenty-five = late, while Train No. 6 is about on e. “Yes, sir.” “T think,” remarked Mr. Morgan, “‘ you are taking up the same Rotate I thought of at once or which I found the reason imme- You desire to know why the order was to hold No. 9 at Cranston, instead of running both trains to some point midway between there and Greenwood. Am Tright?” _ ear “You are. I cannot understand why, when ene train was expected at Cranston about the same time that the other was at Greenwood, the passing-point was not made ‘at some place be dusen those stations, thus saving further delay to either train. By the order you gave you were lain what the young ”” requested Mr. Jas- keeping No. 9 lying idle at Cranston during the entire time Train No, 6 was running from Green- wood to that place, and thus making No. 9 still = ever. It does not look very business- like.’ ‘My first impression exactly,” declared Mr. Morgan; ‘‘ but 1 saw at a glance why the order had been given in that way. In the first place itis of the utmost importance that Train No. 6 shouid reach Mansfield on time to-night. I men- tioned this to Mr. Humphrey this afternoon. And secondly, there is at present but one avail- able side-track between Greenwood and Cran- ston, and that is only four miles east of Green- wood, The one west of Cranston is fuli of cars, and the one at Hillsdale is useless owing to a broken switch; though it is possible that the switch is repaired by this time. We have had no notice to that effect, however. ‘Are these the reasons, Mr. orang ek bi turning to the dispatcher, “* why you handled tha trains as you did?” ‘“‘1'hey are, sir,” was the reply. Train No, 9 to the siding just east of Green- wood, sir, would have detained Train No. 6 fully twenty minutes, and I knew from what you told me this afternoon that that would not do, The proper place for them to pass was at Hillsdale; but having received no notice that the switch had been repaired, I could not, of course, risk sending them there. And the sid- ing west of Cranston being full of cars, it was impossible for them to pass there. Under the circumstances, one train or the other had to be detained; and Mr. Morgan having told me to get No. 6 through on time if possible, I took the only course open to attain that end.” “The explanation is quite satisfactory,” said Mr. Jasper, who had considerable knowledge of the subject, ‘‘and you adopted the only course open to you, so far asIcansee. I am finding no fault you understand, Mr. Morgan; I merely desired to know why the trains were handled in that way.” ‘“‘T understand, sir,” the superintendent de- clared. ‘‘ But,” he added, ‘“‘ we did not succeed in handling them as we desired, and what the result is to be I dare not imagine.” “True, and I fear the worst.” ‘* And this,” remarked one of the directors, a Mr. Howell, a fat old gentleman who had but little ‘practical knowledge of railroad business, ‘* brings us to the question of the operator who disobeyed his order, What do you intend doing with him, Mr. Morgan?” ‘*T shall discharge him to-morrow!” the super- intendent declared emphatically, ‘‘ and also the conductor and engineer of the stock-train who came so near causing another collision.” “ Perfectly right,’ oe Mr. J ri xh ““ They should not be allowed to work an hour longer than is necessary to relieve them.” t “IT agree with you, sofar as the conductor and engineer are concerned,” said Mr. Howell. ‘Theirs seems to have been a flagrant piece of carelessness and disregard of orders. In the case of the operator, however, is there not some extenuating circumstance to account for his misfortune and mitigate his offense?” “No, sir, not one, Receiving such an impor- tant order, it was his duty to carry it out under any. and all circumstances.” “ But, I understand that his signal-light went out, and—” : ‘** Pardon me, Mr. Howell, but it was his busi- ness to see that it did not go out,” interrupted the superintendent, ‘ Why, sir, a hundred lives depended on that red light! K F ‘So I understand, and I am interested in the matter, As re are going with us to Oakvaie, Mr, Morgan, I will have you give me further insight into the train-order system as we ride alone. ; ‘*T will do so with pleasure, sir.” CHAPTER IV. RALPH'S PLAN REVEALED, On, on, like a bird on the wing, sped Redlight Ralph’s engine, the ‘‘ Quickstep,” as it was named, and Ralph, with his hand on the throttle, peered steadily ahead, _ He was nearing the end of his wild ride now, and a minute or two more would decide whether or not his effort had been in vain, + ‘Certain it was that bgt bean depended on him, and if his plan failed, then the two Express- trains, now so close to each other, were doomed to collide. ‘ And the horror of such a coflision—what im- agination can picture it? t, let us basten to reveal what the boy re ns plan was. t Haddingdon Junction the track of the Mansfield, Cranston & Oakvale Railroad was “To run | crossed by the track of the Windsor, Hadding-. iddieburgh Railroad, and there the: don & latter :;company had a telegraph office. After crossing uhe M,C. & O., the W. H. & M, track went on to Haddingdon proper, and thence- on for some miles to the south. Then it tooka turn to the west, and drew back tothe M. C. & O. at an easy angle, until at Hillsdale the two roads. ran side by side for some little distance. At Hillsdale there was a sort of ‘* gap ” in the: hills, and the M. C. & O. approached that place from each direction in a long curve, thus avoid- ing a tunnel through the hill in a direct course, but adding two or three miles to the length of the road, The M. C. & O, swung around the end of the: - hiil on the north side of the ‘‘ gap,” seeming not. unlike some mammoth horseshoe, near the toe of which the W. H. & M. had a station, which was: so situated as to command a view of the M. C, & O. on both sides of the hill. This place, Hillsdale, on the M. C. & O. line was about half-way between Greenwood and. Cranston, and there, or near there, it was be- lieved the two Express-trains would meet. Redlight Ralph’s idea may now be understood. If he could reach Haddingdon Junction in time, and from there could get word by tele- graph to the operator at Hillsdale, he, the Hills- dale operator, might be able to signal the trains: and stop them! This, too, was the idea which was at last dis- covered by Mr. Humphrey the dispatcher, and the map on which he indicated the two stations: to the others in the office, was a map of the: Windsor, Haddingdon & Middleburgh line, But, as Redlight Ralph had declared, and as: the dispatcher had repeated, it was but one chance in a thousand. Suppose he reached Haddington Junction all im good time, but there found the wire open and useless, Or, suppose he could not get the oper- ator at Hillside until too late. Or again, the’ wire being all right, the operator on hand, and no interruption’ occurring; suppose one of the trains had already passed that point. — It was indeed a long chance, but it was a chance not to be despised. Ralph did not shut cff steam until the last moment, and then he shut off and reversed. with almost as much suddenness as when in danger of a collision with the stock-train some minutes previously. And he brought his engine to a stop right at the door of the Junction office. This office was not a regular station, but mere- ly a small signa] station where trains were pro- tected in crossing on either road. Ralph found the door of the little office locked, but there was a light within, and ie in through the window he saw that the operator was not there. Having forgotten the special train, perhaps, and not expecting any train just at that time, he had evidently stepped out for a moment. — But Ralph had no time to spare in waiting for him, so with a sudden and heavy kick he burst' the door open and stepped in. He knew the arrangement of the office quite well, having spent many an hour there with the day operator some years reviously when he was learning telegraphy, and knew at a glance which of the instruments was the one communicating with Hillsdale. * The night operator being a new man there, he had never seen him. The wire was busy at the moment, but Ralph opened the key at once, and making the signal indicating—“t Please, wait a moment,” began to ‘Call: ale. , The other operator, the one who was working, was not inclined to wait, however, and demand- ed to know who Ralph was, and where. Ralph answered by signing the office signal, “H. J.,” and called again. Z : - But the operator whom he had broken in upon and interrupted was not satisfied at having the aise taken from him thus peremptorily, and said: : “Say, you fellow, you’re breaking; get off till I'm done, will you!” ‘‘One moment,” Ralph requested; ‘this is very important;” and again he called the Hills- dale station. And, to his t joy, the operator at that sta- tion responded. though, the other office, whichever it was, in- again. «USE aie eae use this string till I am done,” the ; itor hie eo gi 1 Haag aye “T must,” Ralph answered; but before he could add anything more the contending opera- tor interrupted again. tw a . ae ae)? ea ae a a.) (UY ff y : ita ") mere § a ‘2 | 1 a ¥. au 75 er)! f RY > 9 ee %
Page 5
Nor can we blame him, for the right to the wire was undoubtedly his. Redlight Ralph saw this too, and he saw also that precious seconds were fast slipping away ; but, what could be done? By this time, could he have had the use of the wire at once, his business with Hillsdale would have been finished. What was be to do? The contending operator would not give way, nor would he allow Ralph to explain how im- portant his business with Hillsdale was, We must explain here that it is utterly im- possible for more than one operator to work at one time on an ordinary wire. When one key is working, all others must of necessity be closed. Communication by telegraph, using all the ab- breviations of the craft, is lightning itself; and though numerous words had been flashed to and fro since Ralph touched the key, barely ten seconds had as yet elapsed. Bat they were ten seconds too many, Suddenly a half-forgotten point came back to Ralph, and he made use of it instantly. *©55, 55,” he signaled rapidly, and all con- tention ceased instantly, Lod the wire was his. This signal—‘'55”—meant, on that road— ‘¢This is important, and must have precedence over all other business.” Every road has a similar signal, some using one character or combination of characters to express the meaning, and some another, and that signal is held sacredly in reserve for cases of emergency where it is absolutely necessary that the office using it should have the use of the wire tastantly, no matter what other business it interrupted. Hearing this signal, every key must be closed instantly, no matter if the superintendent, or even the president himself, if an operator, be working; but if the business for which the sig- nal was used proves trivial or of little impor- pe then les the operator using it look to him- self. Having spent many hours in this office, as stated, it was but natural that Redlight Ralph should have become familiar with the telegra- phic signals of that road. The moment |ie made the signal ‘‘ 55,” then, the wire was at bis command, Calling the Hillsdale office again, and getting a reply at once, he asked: “Do you see any head-lights on the M. C. & 0.7" ‘““Yes,” came the reply, ‘‘I see two; and one is—”’ . ‘For God's sake stop the trains, or there will be a collision. Can you do it?” “c oO. K,” That was all the answer he got, but those two letters, which in railpoad parlance signify * all right,” were snapped out with such sudden haste ‘that Ralph knew the operator had sprung at -once to the task. All now depended on him, the operator. Redlight Ralph could do no more. Riaaiataty after the O. K. from the opera- tor at Hillsdale, the despatcher’s office called “‘H, J.,” the signal for Haddingdon Junction. Ralph answered. ‘‘ Who is there?” the dispatcher asked. ‘““T am an engineer on the M. C. & O.,” Ralph replied. ‘What is the trouble at H, D.?’—the signal for Hillsdale. _ Ralph explained the situation briefly, adding that he had run down from Mansfield by special engine in order to reach Hillsdale by telegraph. ? Hope nothing happens,” the dispatcher ob- ‘served, adding: — “Tt is about time your company run a wire into H. J. office, I think. It would be conven- ient for both roads.” . “Yes,” Ralph agreed, ‘it would be a good ‘thing, no doubt.” No more was said, then, and the wire resumed its usual clicking, the operator whom Ralph had interrupted taking up his work where he had been obliged to break off; and Ralph settled back in the chair to await the result. The next moment the door was flung open, a great, lubberly giant of a fellow sprung into the office, and, without a word, he caught hold of Redlight Ralph and jerked him out of ‘the chair and sent him reeling backward against the wall. f size went for aught, this fellow was big enough to make two of the Boy Engineer, who, though of medium hight and solidly built, was not heavy. “Who are you, and what do you mean b breaking into this office in this way?” the fel- low demanded, prefixing, interspersing and Redlight Ralph, the Prince ur ise Road. v suffixing his inquiry plentifully with blood- curdling oaths, ‘“ Who are you?” Ralph counter-questioned, the hot blood mounting to his face, and his eyes flashing. . **)’m the operator here, that’s who!” the big fellow snarled. ‘Well, you needn't come tearing around like this, pushing other people about, if you are the operator here,” Ralph hotly rejoined. ‘If you had been here attending to business, -it would not have been necessary, for me to break in.” ‘*Be careful how you talk, or I'll wipe the floor with you! What business had you to break in here. anyhow?” still seasoning his language strongly with ‘‘ cuss-words.” ‘Find out,” Ralph retorted sharply. “Tl find out, and Pll find you out! you out, too!” **T wouldn’t be in a hurry aboutit; you’d bet- ter sit down and get your wind first.” ““T’ve got wind enough to attend to you, I guess. Say, what do you want here?” ‘** None of your business! If you had been on hand you would have known, Didn’t you get notice by letter of a special train to leave Mans- field to-night?” Ralph knew he had received such notice, for it was lying on the table even then. The big fellow’s face paled instantly. clear that he had forgotten it. The truth was, he had just been across a near- by field to his boarding-place, where he was a little ‘*sweet” on the hired girl, who treated him liberally to milk. His paleness lasted only for a moment, though, and then he became even more arrogant than before, f ““No business of yours whether I had notice or not!” he cried fiercely, ‘‘ and it’s nothing to you if I was out; I left the signal set right for your road!” which was true. ‘‘ And now you get out of here!” and he pointed to the dvor, “T shall go when I get a reply to my mes- sage,” Ralph answered firmly, ‘‘ and not before!” ‘ Who sent your message?” I did.” “Well, youre going out now ;” and as he spoke, the big fellow laid hold of Ralph to put him out. Then followed a brief struggle, during which the chair was overturned and the stove nearly so, and then one of the two men went crashing through the window and fell to the ground with a thud. : That one was not Ralph, I'll fire It was CHAPTER V. JUST IN TIME. Tue telegraph operator at Hillsdale was a young man named Charlie Chester. He was a bright, active and quick-thinking young fellow, and always on hand when on duty. On the night of which we write he was seated in his office, and not being very busy, was read- ing. Presently. he glanced out of the window, and as he did s», he noticed two headlights on the M. C. & O. Road, one bound east and the other west, and both coming down the long curve around the bill, ‘The Express-trains are going to pass here to-night, it seems,” he remarked to himself as he glanced up at his clock, ‘Train No. 9 is a little late to-night.” Little did he imagine the truth. Being so near to the M. C. & O. track, and seeing these trains every night, though seldom both at once, it was but natural that he should oor their numbers and the time they were ue. . On two or three previous occasions he had seen both trains coming at once, bead to head, the same as now; but they had then met and passed at the switch safely. They undignbtadls would do so this time, Presently, thou 4 came the recollection that the switch was broken, and had not, to his knowledge, been repaired; and he wondered at the trains being sent to that point to pass, Barely had this thought presented itself, when some one called his office on one of the wires, and he sprung to answer it. Then followed the “struggle for circuit,” as we have described it. : Charlie managed to answer his call, but the contention continued, until suddenly the signal “55” was flashed forth, when it ceased in- stantly. Then Charlie answered, and listened to what ght Ralph said. ee | Yes, there the headlights were, two trains a: and one of them was now drawing close. This Charlie attempted to explain, but Ralph cut him short with his hasty request for him te signal the trains and stop them. To do this, not one second was to be lost, and snatching a hasty ‘“‘O. K.” on the key, the oper- ator caught up a red light, and rushed hatless and coatless from the office, Straight to the M. C. & O. track he ran with all the speed he could command. On the side of his lantern was a torpedo, and this he quickly took off and secured to the rail. Then catching up the lantern, he ran with it at full speea around the curve toward the most dis- tant of the two trains. Fast as he ran, though, the trains were going twenty times faster, and in a few seconds he heard the one behind come thundering after him around the curve. Then there came the loud report of the torpedo and a sharp whistle for brakes. At that moment Charlie had just gained the straight line beyond the curve, where he could see the headlight of the other train, and there he swung his red light violently to and fro across the track to signal it to stop. Fortunately the sigral wasseen almost instant- ly, and another “‘ squeal” for brakes was heard. A moment later and the train which had been signaled by the torpedo came tearing along, and Charlie had barely time to. jump aside when it swept past him like the wind. Its speed was greatly reduced, though, the en- gine was reversed and was belching forth a stream of living fire, and fire was flying from every wheel under pressure of the brakes, It was a thrilling moment. To see those two mighty monsters of iron, with their flaming eyes and fiery breath, rushin straight at each other, and to know that bebin each one were a hundred or more human beings, were terrible, indeed, But what if they had not been signaled? What if they had come suddenly upon each other on that curve, each going at the rate of forty miles an hour at least— Heavens! can the imagina- tion picture anything more terrible? As soon as the eastward-bound train swun around the curve, the engineers caught sight o each other's headlight, and both renewed their efforts to stop, each wondering what train the other could be, and by what misunderstanding it was there. Finally both trains were stopped, though bare- ly an engine’s length apart, and then Charlie Chester hastened back to his office, As soon as the trains were stopped, the en- gineers and conductors got off and ran forward to consult with one another, and all met in the glare of the headlights between the two engines. The conductor of No. 9 was the first to speak. ‘* What in Hades are you doing here ?” he de- manded. ’ ‘‘What are you doing here?” cried the con- ductor and engineer of No. 6, as they produced their orders and showed them. “Thunder!” exclaimed No, 9’s conductor, “‘ we bad no orders! We were going for Greenwood on our rights, and about as fast as we could wheel ourselves along, too.” ‘And we were going for Cranston cn this order! There is a screw loose somewhere, sure,” ‘*Tt was a close shave for us.” py LOWE right it was! Who was it signaled us? ‘* Give it up!” “Well, how about passing? Since we did not bump noses, we have no time to stand here and congratulate ourselves.” “You are right. Well, you back your train around the curve and beyond the switch, and we will pull abead and back in on the side- track.” . ‘All right, that’s about the way to doit, I guess,” and so they separated. Train No. 6 was backed around the curve and beyond the side-track, and Train No. 9 pulled u beyond the switch to back it out of the way, an then it was discovered that the switch was bro- ken and the rails spiked. 4 Railroad men are not easily balked, though, and in a few minutes a claw-bar and a sleds were found, and the spikes removed. Then the rails were turned to the side-track, spiked there temporarily, aud Train No, 9 backed in out of the way. y This done, No. 6 started on its way, leaving No. 9 to pullout of the siding and secure the switch as they had found it. While this was going on, Charlie Chester came out of his office again, having reported to Red- light Ralph the success of his work, and enlight- JNA
Page 6
“ mS ened the trainmen concerning who had signaled them, etc. It had been a narrow escape. In the mean time, Redlight Ralph, after hav- ing with considerable of science and a good deal of luck managed to pitch the burly and belliger- ent operator through the window, had resumed his seat at the desk. He was in a fever of anxiety to learn what the eo of his effort to save the collision would A minute or two passed, and hearing no fur- ther sound from the operator whom he had as- sisted out of the office with more suddenness than ceremony, he became alarmed. What if he had broken the fellow’s nack! Catching up a lantern he hurried out to learn what had become of him. He found him lying upon his back, breathing heavily, and just coming te. The fall had for the time rendered him senseless, Helping him up, Ralph assisted him back into the office. 7 The fellow was now complecely subdued. “Are you much hurt?” Ralph inquired, The fellow mumbled something to the effect that he guessed not, and dropped into his chair as limp as a dish-rag. ** Pm sorry I had to handle you so roughly,” Ralph remarked, apologetically, ‘‘ but another time perhaps you will not be in such haste to put a person out of your office. If you had spoken to me civilly when you first came in, I would have explained; but you gave me no chance to explain, Civil words are better than’ curses, under any circumstances.” The operator grunted, but said nothing. Just then, some five or six minutes having now elapsed, the operator at Hillsdale called ‘‘ H. J.,” pee Ralph responded quickly. “Tt is all right,” Charlie said; ‘I had just time to stop the trains, but that was all. It was the narrowest escape I ever saw in my ‘* Thank God I was in time!” Raiph responded. ** Have the trains passed?” ‘No; the switch is broken, and it will take them some time.” ** Well, so long as they are safe, that is the main thing. I am glad you were on hand, and I shall take pains to inform our superintendent of the great service you have rendered. I must be going now, so good-night.” “ Good-night,” came the response, and the business was ended. ** What is all that about?” inquired the opera- tor, who bad been listening, now filled with cu- riosity to know what had been going on, ‘Perhaps the operator at Hillsdale will ex- plain, if you ask him civilly,” Ralph answered. ‘I haven’t time. Don’t you forget that that special train has not gone west yet.’ With these words the Boy Engineer left the office, and in a moment more was upon his en- gine and starting back to Watson’s. The importance of the service he had ren- dered, with the assistance of the Hillsdale oper- ator, can hardly be calculated. Thousands of dollars’ worth of property had been saved from destruction, and, what was of more supreme importance, ‘a hundred persons, or more it may be, bad been snatched from the very jaws of death. Starting off slowly at first, Ralph got down from the cab and attended to the fire, and then getting back again to his place, increased his He was not long in running back to Watson’s, where his fireman’s redlight, as the faithful fel- low stood at his post on the track, was the first light to catch his eye. “I see you’re right on haad, Dan,” Ralph said, when he had stopped at the platform and juroped down from the engine, ‘*You_bet I am!” was the cheery response. “*When I’m set down to flag, you kin bet no en- i. is goin’ ter get past me unless he’s a ' “ That’s the way to doit. Put your redlight down on the edge of the platform now, and while I am getting orders you drop ahead to the tank and take water.” sai All right,” Dan responded, and he sprung to obey. A moment later a whistle for brakes was heard, and the lights of an engine were seen coming west from the direction of Mansfield, running backward. : Wondering what engine it could be, Ralph caught up the redlight and swung it, and the engine came to a eS It proved to be the engine of the stock-train with which Ralph had previously come so near into collision, and he saw that if be had been a itt ee, uy Se Py a Redlight Ralph, the Se Prince of t little earlier, and had started from Watson’s, he Redlight Ra! would have met it again. ** You fellows will keep on till you play the deuce!” the Boy Engineer exclaimed hotly. “What are you doing back here?” “We had to run back to get water. Our en- gine is bone dry.” “Tf you nade stopped here in the first place, as you should have done, you would have water. How did you get here without ‘running a flag ahead of you?’ ‘* Why, there’s no train due!” “That makes no difference! You had no right to move a foot without sending a man ahead with a redlight. If you had been two minutes later you would have met me again!” ‘* Well, how could we know that? We—” “You couldn’t know it, and that is the very reason you should have used every precaution, I would like to be superintendent of this road for just one minute, and there would be two situations vacant. Did you leave a flagman at Big Rock, to protect your run back?” “Yes, of course.” “Tt is a wonder you thought of it! water, and then get back to Big Rock as soon as possible, and out of my way!” Fairly boiling with rightful vexation, then, Ralph set his redlight down in place again, and entered the office. _ CHAPTER VI. AN ENEMY APPEARS. LET us now return to the dispatcher’s office at Mansfield. Mr. Morgan, the superintendent, was pacing to and fro across the floor of the office in pain- ful agitation of mind; Mr, Jasper and Mr. Howell were in earnest conversation; Phil Peters was entertaining the other directors, ex- self to the ladies of the party. Horace Humphrey, the dispatcher, sat silent in his chair, while Clark Conrad, his operator, attended stoically to the routine business of the hour, but the faces of both wore an expression of strained anxiety. Suddenly Mr. Mecgntk paused in his walk, and demanded: ‘** Mr. Humphrey, isn’t it about time we heard something? It is fully ten minutes now since Redlight Ralph d Watson’s, going west. Hadn’t he ought to be back there soon?” ‘‘Tam expecting to hear from him at any momeut now, sir,” was the reply. ‘He cer- tainly ought to be back there by this time, whet: er he was successful in his undertaking or not. ‘“*So I should think. This uncertainty is ter- rible.” ‘Tt cannot last rhany minutes longer. We shall soon know— Ah! here is Ralph at the key now,” and the dispatcher leaned eagerly forward to catch the words the rapid instru- ments were clicking. ** What does he say?” the superintendent asked excitedly, The dispatcher listened attentively, for a mo- ment, and then opened his key, looked up—his face proclaiming the good news at once—and exclaimed: ‘* Saved, thank God, saved !” What a sigh of relief went up from all present! “Hip! hip! hurrah!” yelled Phil Peters, throwing up his cap again and fairly dancing for joy. ‘‘ Three cheers for Redlight Ralph, the Boy Engineer! Hip! hip! hurrah !” Mr. Morgan’s face seemed so relieved that he looked as though he wanted to join Phil and execute a genuine breakdown then and there, but was evidently restrained by the dignity of his position. Every face was bright now, where only a sec- ond previously every one had been sad, It was indeed good news. As soon as Phil Peters subsided so that Mr. Humphrey could make himself heard, he said: ‘* Yes, thank Heaven! the collision was avert- ed by a hair’s breadth. Ralph got word to the operator at Hillsdale just in the nick of time, and he signaled the trains.” ‘¢ And have the trains passed each other?” ‘*T suppose they have by this time, sir.” “ Very good. ou may tell that operator at Cranston to come to my office to-morrow, and also the conductor and engineer of that stock- train. Also give orders to have that switch at Hillsdale repaired the first thing in the morn- in: ” “T will do so,” the dispatcher said, and then he turned again to the instruments and gave Well, get | cept Mr. Lambert, who was still devoting him- | \ son’s to Mansfield. | Turning to the president, the superintendent said: ‘*Your engine will be here in a few minutes ; now, Mr. Jasper, and if you are ready, you and the others may as well get into the cars,” ‘No, no!” exclaimed the ladies at once; “ we } Must first see our brave engineer, and thank | him for what he has done. Will you please to have him come in here when he arrives, Mr, » Morgan?” | “Certainly, if you wish it, ladies,” was the answer, | ‘*May Lask why he is called the ‘ Boy Engi- neer?” asked Mrs, Howell, wife of the director | turning to Phil Peters. conductor answered. ‘‘He is hardly twenty | years old.” ‘**Can it be possible?” ‘“‘He is every inch a man in experience though,” declared Mr, Morgan, ‘‘and a goo one, too. He is to be trusted anywhere at any time. And so the conversation ran while they waited for the Boy Engineer to arrive. And while they are waiting, and we are waiting, too, let us put in a few words by the way. Mr, Joseph Jasper, the president of the road, was a very wealthy man, owning a good share of the stock of the road. oat same may be said of’ Mr. Lyman Lam- | bert. | The latter was a young man, whose father ' had been one of Mr. Jasper’s bosom friends, Mr. Jasper had a wite and a daughter, who | were with him on this occasion, and the latter of whom has been mentioned. Jeanne Jasper was a lovely girl, about eigh- teen years of age, and as gentle and kind in dis- | position as she was beautiful of face and form. | From words which we have let fall here and | there in the foregoing chapters, the reader may have formed the idea that Lyman Lambert was | in love with Jeanne. | Such was the case, | with her, And she—well, we cannot say that she looked | upon him with much favor, though it was her ‘ father’s command that she should do so, Mr. Jasper had promised his daughter’s hand to _ Lambert, and the latter looked upon her as his. ‘ The young lady herself had entirely different views. She loved her father, and in most of things obeyed him, but at Mr. Lambert she drew the line. She had said nothing yet, but in her heart she had long since resolved that she would never marry him, + The truth to tell, away down in her heart she loved another, one whose name she would not have dared to mention to her father. And that other was—Ralph Raymond, or “ Redlight Ralph” the ‘‘ Boy Engineer.” And Ralph loved her. This was their secret, but not a secret between. them can we say, for neither knew the thought of the other, and both kept the secret sacredly locked within their hearts. Jeanne could not, of course, be the first to make 1t known, according to the Hoyle of love- making; and Ralph, being but a humble engi- neer, and poor, could not aspire to the hand of so wealthy a girl, the daughter of the president of the road. Ralph and Jeanne had known each other for years—in fact, they had been schoolmates, and as they had grown up their childish liking for each other had ripened into love. _ Their stations in life being so wide apart, however, their love seemed never likely to real- ize attainment to marriage.. This secret of luve was half-suspected by Lyman Lambert, and if Ralph Raymond had an implacable enemy in the world, that enemy was he. He hated Ralph, and his position as director of the road, to which position he arose upon the death of his father, made it cenit for him to do the Boy Engineer serious harm, When Redlight Ralph had received his orders at Watson’s, and had finished conversation with | the dispatcher, he bade good-night to the opera- | tor and went out. ; The engine of the stock-train had just finished — water, and was coming away from the | tank. \ Ralph picked up his redlight and “swung | them up,” and when they stopped at the pla form where he stood, he said: He was madly in love see esses ent “Now don’t forget that that special train has - h orders to run back from Wat-. of that name, ‘TI notice you call him that, sir,” “Tt is because he is a boy, madam,” the ; ‘ Pat
Page 7
mot left Mansfield yet. I don’t want to meet you again to-night.” With an angry snort the conductor of the stock-train bade Ralph go to an unmentionable warm and sulphurous clime, and the engineer jerked open the throttle and away they went. Then Ralph’s fireman came down with his own engine, and the Boy Engineer sprung aboard and followed on after the other. ‘Th’ blamed ga.oots!” Dan Dawsou complain- ed, ‘they wanted ter scare me away from th’ tank; but I didn’t scare fera cent. When I had water aboard, though, I moved ahead an’ Jet ’em fill i : “That was all right,” said Ralph. ‘‘ Those fellows are doing bad work to-night.” “ You're right they be! an’ Ishouldn’t wonder if Jack Daws an’ Giles Given was a-lookin’ fer new jobs to-morrer.” These were the names of the conductor and engineer of the stock-train, respectively. * No, nor I,” Ralph agreed. . Then Dan wan to know what all the hurry and excitement had been about, and why Ralph had made such a wild run to Haddingdon Junc- tion, and Ralph explained. ' They ran on very cautiously ‘until they had passed Big Rock siding, where they found the other engine safely on the side-track, and then Ralph increased his speed and was soon at Mans- field. There the superintendent called him at once into the office. “Raymond,” he said, “‘you’ve done a noble deed, and one which shall not be forgotten.” « And allow me to congratulate you and also thank yon,” cried Mr, Jasper, as he grasped his hand. ‘‘I shall see that you are suitably re- warded for this night’s work.” Ralph attempted to make light of it, but the ladies pressed piaacalbe and fairly overwhelmed him with praises and thanks. And none were so welcome as those of pretty Jeanne Jasper. She caught his right hand in both of hers, and said: ‘The same brave Ralph you were at school! [ cannot tell you how thankful Iam that it was you to save the frightful disaster.” yf eos Her manner was not balf so enthusiastic as that of the other ladies had been, nor did she ut- ter half so many words; there was an expression in her eyes, however, and a tremulous pressure from her soft, warm hands, which told more than words, “Thank you,” Ralph said, ‘‘I have done only my duty.” And as he spoke he—acting upon a sudden impulse—gave the girl’s hand one quick ressure, and his eyes, to her, seemed fairly to ae into her own. The moment he had done this he was startled, but in the same instant came a pressure in re- turn, a firm, warm and paerere pressure that caused Ralph’s heart to beund. This was done in a moment, and no one no- ticed it— Hold, we mistake; the evil eyes of Lyman Lambert were upon the pair, and he shed his teeth in silent rage. Phil Peters had been trying to get a chance to get hold of one of Ralph's bands, he cared not which one, and the moment he did he grasped it and.shook it vigorously. ; “Redlight,” be cried, ‘‘you are a chief! I love you!” ‘ “Thank you, Phil; I’m glad [ ‘got there.’” “ And so are we all! I tell you what, my boy, things looked dubious for a time.” “Mr, Lambert,” said Mrs. Jasper, ‘‘ have you no word for the young man?” Lambert was hanging. back sullenly, with a scowl upon his not-over-handsome face, and Mrs. Jasper noticed it. , : No,” he answered. “TI think it has been overdone already. We pay our servants to do their duty, and he has done tio more than his.” Every eye was upon the young director in an instant, and those of Jeanne Jasper were full of scorn unutterable. , F As for Ralph, he paid no atte tion to the re- mark, but said: g ‘ ~ “While you are congratulating me, ladies and a emen, I hope you will not forget the oper- ator at Hillsdale. He, and not I, saved the acci- dent. The honor must be given to him; I can claim but a very trifling share of it. ; No need for us to repeat all the conversation of the next five minutes. Suffice it to add that Ralph received the heartiest praise from all, from the humble operator and conductor to the weaithy president: and after he hat told his story in full, and had answered the many ques- tions of the superintendent, he was allowed to return to his engine, which he again put in or- der for his trip. Redlight Ralph, the Prince of t a ee ee eee: { he Road. . CHAPTER VII. A NEEDED REFORM, ir was now half-past ten. Trains No. 9 and No.6 had reached and passed Greenwood and Cranston respectively, and everything along the line was again running smoothly. The president and his party now entered their cars, Superintendent Morgan going with them, and as soon as Phil Peters swung his lantern, —— Ralph puiled the throttle and the train started, 2 The night, as we have said, was dark, and it had every appearance of a storm. Within the cars, though, all was warm and bright, and a tempting supper was served soon after the train had started, The two cars consisted of—one a combined | drawing-room and dining-car, and the other a sleeping-car. . Both were private cars belonging to the directors. After the supper had been disposed of, Mr. Jasper, Mr. Howell, one of the other directors and Mr. Morgan, retired to the smoking-com- partment to enjoy their cigars, leaving Mr. Lambert and the other male members of the party to entertain the ladies, The latter declared that'they were not in the | least sleepy, and would prefer a game at whist to retiring; so as soon as the tables were cleared, the cards were brought out. It was soon found, however, that there was just one person too many to fill the two sets, and a lively discussion arose as to who should be the one to play. Each one present promptly insisted upon being the idle one, and Mr. Lambert urged Jeanne Jasper to take his place; but she firmly refused, and settled the matter by taking up a book and seating herself in a distant seat. But she did not read. She soon had ber poss head comfortably settled in one of the | owed windows of the car, where she could look straight ahead and see the glare of the head- light as it flashed along, revealing a constantly changing panorama of rocks, trees, fences, bridges etc., and where, whenever the train swung around a curve in the right direction, she could catch a glimpse of the young engineer as he stood at his post, his hand on the throttle and his eyes peering straight ahead. How noble! how fearless he was! were her secret thoughts. Lyman Lambert’s eyes were upon her almost constantly, and the flame of jealousy burned hotly in his breast. He gues what she was doing, and almost correctly surmised her very thoughts, Whist had no charm for him, and he played a miserable game. : And Redlight Ralph—what were his thoughts? They were not unlike those of the girl. He loved her: her life was now intrusted to his care; and never before had_ he been more care- ful at his post. The fond pressure of her hand could be felt still, and in that one pressure she had told him —what? She had told him that she loved him. In that one brief moment they had, without words, confided their secret to each other. Once, when turning a sharp curve, he glanced back for an instant. and ir the light of the car windows saw tbe face of the beautiful girl, with her eyes fixed upon him. Jeanne quickly brought one of her slender white hands up just a little into the light and gave him a signal that she saw him and Ralph responded in like manner. Then with bounding heart he turned again to his duty. His joy was of short duration, however Soon caine thoughts of doubt and despair, Was she not. merely flirting with him? or if not that, was it at all likely that he could hope ever to win her hand? With these torturing thoughts in his mind he gave a spiteful pull at the whistle, as | though he would like to pull at the neck of | Lyman Lambert in the same way; gave a vengeful tug at the throttle, as though he would like to have that individual standing before him on the track; and with renewed energy the train plunged onward through the gloom. In the smoking-compartment, Mr. Howell had | again opened conversation with Mr. Morgan concerning the train-order system of the road. “Now, Morgan,” he said, ‘I know little or nothing about this business, as I have never interested myself in it, but this narrow escape of to-night has opened my eyes to the fact that there must be something wrong somewhere,” ‘“And so there was!” the superintendent in- ‘ stantly exclaimed. ‘If that operator at Cran- | ston had obeyed his order, all would have been | well, He will never have a chance to do such | a thing again on this road.” **T admit, sir, that the operator should bave performed his duty, but was there any further ' precaution taken to prevent a collision im case he did not do so?” ; : “Well, no; but then no further. precaution was actually necessary. When we give an “Very well, gentlemen, I will do so,” the | order to one of our employees, we expect him to obey it.” ‘* Certainly, that is admitted; but was it not taking a terrible risk to start the eastward- bound train from Greenwood, with only that operator and his red light to protect it? How could the dispatcher know that he was sober? that he would carry out the order? How could he know that grim Death would not strike the operator ere be could perform his duty? I tell } you, Mr. Morgan, there is something wrong here, and if that collision had bappened, this company would have been responsible.” Mr. Jasper, the president, was paying the closest attention, and now exclaithed: ‘*By heavens! Howell, you bring up a point I had not thought of! Mr. Morgan, there must be some changes made in the order-system of this road, and that at once.” ‘But, gentlemen,” the superintendent pro- tested, “‘ our system is the same as that of most | single-track roads, and chances must be teken. | It 1s not once in ten thousand times that the | operator will fail to perform his duty.” | “That may be true,” Mr. Howell agreed, / “but still thereis a risk. It is exposing the | lives of our patrons to danger. Now, Mr. Mor- gan,in what way could that order have been made absolutely safe?” “Well,” was the reply, ‘‘ by holding train No. 6. at Greenwood until No. 9 had arrived at Cran- | ston, and the conductor and engineer of that | train had received orders not to pass there until No. 6arrived. Then No. 6 could have gene.o6n | in perfect safety. But, that would have been a delay to that train. If our operators perform their duty, our present system is allright. To- night’s occurrence may never bappen again,” ** And it may. There is a loose screw here, Mr. Morgan, and it must be tightened.” ** Yes,” Mr. Jasper added, ‘‘and at once. I wish you would stop at Cranston when we reach there, Mr. Morgan. I desire to see what the operator has to say about the matter,” “ Just the idea!® exclaimed Mr. Howell. superintendent answered, and he at once gave orders to Phil Peters the conductor to that effect. : The train sped on until it rea¢hed a point where it had to take the side-track to keep ont of the way of tbe eastward-bound Express- train, Train No. 6, against which as we have previously explained, the special had no rights; and when that train had passed, sped on again. At Cranston the train stopped, and Mr. Jasper, Mr. Howell, Mr, Morgan and one or two others entered the office. The operator, a very young man, thus taken by storm, became at once very much excited and nervous. Mr. Morgan spoke first. “Young man,” be said, ‘‘you may come to my office to-morrow and get your pay. Your service is no longer required.” “II have already sent my resignation by telegraph. sir,” the young man replied. | ‘“T won't accept it!” Mr. Morgan thundered. | Yon are discharged |” ‘* Very well, sir, then I turn the office over to you_at once.” Despite his nervousness, the boy still had some nerve left, but Mr. Morgan rose equal to the | emergency and promptly told him he could go at any moment. Cranston was quite an important station, and the office closed would inconvenience the road not a little; but the superintentent cared nothing for that He conld not allow an employee to dictate terms to him. | ‘My boy,” said Mr. Howell, kindly, ‘how came you to let that train get past your station when you had orders to hold it?” 7 ‘“‘ My red light went out.” the operator replied, ‘““and before I could ligbtit again the train had passed.” : ** And have you but one red light to use?” “That is all, sir.” ‘Could you not have placed a torpedo on the rail?” | “Tet had had one to place there, sir.” “What! are you not supplied with such things?” | “No, sir.”
Page 8
—— j— aie Peat leper we : \ Redlight Ral ' | . > | : : } ‘“« What is that?” ’ “a wz Mr. Howell immediately made a‘note in his ‘Important messages for the superintend- : : : ; ¥ aa note-book. ent!” the operator shouted in reply, and he ‘This company intended making an advance | AC . ‘ How old are you?” he next asked. hastened to the car. in wages on the first of the new year.” ip al “Seventeen, sir.” Phil Peters appeared at once with the same ‘Ts that so?” f ane ‘And what salary do you get?” inquiry, and immediately behind him came Mr. ‘So T have heard. But now there is likely to BG + Re vip “ Thirty-five-dollars a month, sir.” | Morgan. be another cut instead. This riot at Oakvale a ‘y «And how many hours do you work?” The operator placed the messages into his | will cost thousands of dollars, I—” rd P. “Twelve hours a night, sir, and every night | hands. Ding ! ding! “i & in the month.” Mr. Morgan read them hastily, and his face It was the signal-bell in the cab, halts 7 ‘* And do you understand the full responsibili- | assumed a serious expression. | ‘Hello!’ Ralph exclaimed, dropping the sub- , Pe h that rested upon you when you were ordered | ‘‘ What is wrong?’ asked Mr. Jasper, as he | ject instantly, ‘* Phil is pulling the cord for me seliabee ch ’ to hold that train?” appeared at the door of the car. | to stop at the next station! I wonder what is Y, “T do, sir, I threw the lantern at the engi-| “There is a riot at Oakvale, sir,” was the re- | wanted,” giving two short, sharp blasts of the i, qi neer’s cab as the train rushed by, but missed it. | ply, ‘‘ and the nob has set fire to our shops and | whistle as he spoke, to let the conductor know idee ae et I could do no more.” freight-house. One dispatch says that some of | the signal was heard. | pe fe “« And you instantly told the dispatcher?” our own employees are in the crowd.” “Give it up!” exclaimed Dan. ‘ What is th’ ee | { ST did.? “Can it be possible?” | next station, anyhow? Where be we?” Ree ‘Now suppose there had been a_ collision, ‘« Tt is evidently true, and no doubt there is| ‘‘ We’re almost to Denton.” er, > : 4h what would you have done? Run away?” serious troubie ahead.” “That station ain’t open at night, is it?” > eas . ‘No, sir,” and the operator drew open a small ‘‘ What does the agent at Oakvale say?” _ “No; and that is why I can’t understand what - <4 Z drawer and revealed a pistol lying there; ‘‘ this ‘He reports the freight-house on fire, the | it means.” ieee, 3 P would have settled it.” | shops half consumed, and the crowd approach- ‘Well, I s’pose we'll find out when we git nat ae “You do not mean to say that you would have | ing the station Our dispatcher says we bad | there.” . i a) J killed yourself; do you?” better approach the town with great caution, “Yes, no doubt,” ae a “TI certainly would. I waited, sir, with that | and we certa‘nly must.” Dan got down to attend to his fire again, and Dicolt T¢ i in my hand, to learn the result of my uninten-| -* Yes, true.” the train sped on under control of the Boy En- en nr 4 tional mishap, and I cannot tell you how happy | _‘ Well, we will go on, and no doubt the ex- | gineer’s guiding hand. fd I was when I learned that the accident had | citement will have abated by the time we yet | When the next station was reached, the train a as P been averted.” there, I will te:l the dispatcher to stop us again | was stopped, and Phil Peters came forward at © @ Tears stood in the boy’s eyes as he uttered the | if he gets any further news.” | once to the engine, while Mr. Morgan hastenec ie bce ee words. ** Yes, do so.” to break open the office door. me PS a ““Mr, Morgan,” said Mr. Jasper, “please to| Mr. Morgan entered the office and wrote his ** What’s up, now?” Ralph asked. eit toe a favor me by recalling this boy’s discharge and | messages, then came out and told Redlight ‘‘The president wants to send a message,” a. ep accepting his resignation instead. I will give | Ralph what to expect at Oakvale, and the train | Phil answered, ‘ and Mr. Mergan wants you to Be: =. you my reason later.” started on. do the telegraphing.” «TER Bs { ‘Very well, sir. You may thank the presi- “ There’s fun ter pay 1.0w, fer sure!” declared “S)pose Pil have fo try it, then,” Ralph re- ae | te A dent, and not me, young man, for this favor. I Dan Dawson, as he got up into the cab after a | marked, as he wioed his bands on a bunch of ri \ a ; accept your resignation. You will continue on | turn.at his fire. “This bere trouble has been | waste and got down from his engine. ‘So ae re duty here till morning.” a-brewin’ fer some time.” By this time the superintendent had forced a __ The young operator thanked him, and then “Yes, I know it has,” answered Ralph, ‘and open the door, and the three entered. ay t ey the party entered their car and went on. I’m afraid it is going to be serious. The me- “Here is a message to be sent, Raymond,” i) ow oe, ‘““My reason for my request,” said Mr. Tas- | chanics, the brakemen, the firemen and some of | Mr. Morgan explained. ‘* Will you send it?” ee) | ae ‘Z per, later, ‘‘ was this: That young man is no | the f reight conductors are in it, I believe.” “Yes, sir,” was the prompt reply. ae: a a. more to blame than are we, who should have “ Wonder what set up th’ riot so soon?” “ And you, Peters,” the superintendent added, re Saas ‘ laced better facilities in his hands, It is fright- “T don’t know: the thing remains to be found | “see that your flagman goes out a good dis- 4 ei ig iul, when I think of it! The idea of trustang the | out. A strike has been talked of, and for some | tance.” oe oe “he safety of a hundred hives to the feeble flame of a | time, which is one reason why the president is; ‘I have sent him out, sir,” was the reply. ‘I cat ag ay single lantern— By the heavens, it is erimi-| going to Oakvale to-night.” | told hin) we would stop here, and to be ready to ‘ee. nal!” ‘*Be you goin’ ter join ’em, Redlight?” | go out at once. He has started.” a - 2 ‘‘It is nothing less!” affirmed Mr. Howell. ‘* Join the strikers?” | “Allright, then.” ae) a ie ‘“*f am astonished! Not only is it all you say, ‘¢ Yes,” While these words were being exchanged the ee San Pye Mr. Jasper, but we intrust that ‘ feeble flame’ *¢ No, sir.” Boy Engineer had found the ‘‘switch-board,” ror | tae aoe to a boy seventeen years of age, whom we pay ‘* S*pose th’ brotherhood strikes?” and had ‘‘ cut in” the instruments. es) but thirty-five doilars a month, and who has “They won't strike. The engineers have Mr, Morgan handed him the message, or more S| Ee a to work twelve hours each night and every | nothing to strike for, Do you intend to join | properly the messages-—for there were several of re | oe ta night in the year. It is horrible! and I shall | them?” them, and Ralph began at once to call the office D. | Br, ‘bring the matter before the Board at our next! ‘‘ No, not unless I'm ordered out,” to which they had to be sent. be? im be meeting.” ‘‘ Then you're one of the league, are you?” While he was at work Mr. Jasper came in, - en cS “And until then, Mr. Morgan,” ordered the} ‘ Yes,fam. Idon’t mind tellin’ you, but I | soon afterward followed by his daughter and Mg i ny president, ‘‘ please to furnish two redughts to | wouldn’t trust many to tell ’em.” Mr. Howell. +e pe ¥ every operator, and also a supply of torpedoes; “ And if you're ordered out you will strike?” “ Ah!” Mr. Howell exclaimed at once, ‘‘ our ¥ ‘ 7 - and instruct them to use both redlights and two Yeas.” ? ; young engmeer is at the key, eh?” ‘ee, ! Bt torpedoes whenever such an order is given thei. * What will you strike for? “Yes,” Mr. Jasper responded, “and I guess | “a Ss This may seem like superfluous precaution and |“ Well, to tell th’ truth, Redlight, I don’t just | he is the only one on the road who is capable of fe ee red-tapeism, but it is tar better to be too cau- know what they are strikin’ fer; but if th’ | doing it. Am I right, Mr. Morgan?” “a8 “ tious than not cautious enough. We are not | leaders says ‘strike,’ why of course it must be “You are,” the superintendent answered, sj pes a blaming you in this’ matter, for, as you say, | ali right.” “and it is something for him to be proud of.” 2) : Be other single-track roads have similar rules; but “And that is where you are all wrong!” These remarks were not intended for the a ; bY now that we see our danger, we must take steps | Ralnh exclaimed emphatically.” ears of Redlight Ralpb, but Jeanne Jasper - ei, to avoid it.” ** How so?” asked Dan. heard them, and a flush of pride mounted to her (esa ea “T will see that your instructions are carried | “‘ Do. you want me to tell you?” cheeks; yh Bh na sr out.” ‘¢ Yes,” ; It was by this time midnight, and in an hour cr co And so for the time the subject was dropped. ‘Well, 1 will, In the first place, you are | more, if all went well, the special train would meer, The train thundered on, passed around the | getting as good pay as any fireman you know | reach its destination. s be a big curve at Hillsdale, and in due time ap- | of, are you not? , ’ No one had thoug’ t of retiring to the sleeping- a " me i proached Greenwood. yes. L am; but we're all gettin’ little | car, The excitement of the evening had ban- ee | eal ec Suddenly, as the train neared that station, | enough!” ished all thoughts of sleep, and now the report oi C Bj there came a sharp sound from the whistle, and «And your run is better than that of a great | of the riot at Oakvale created excitement & mes a: then the cars began to jog and jar as the engine | many you know of, is it not?” anew. ‘ i ee ras 5 oe was reversed mn! the air-brakes put on. “Yes, that’s so.” Usually, in going out at night by special A. - “ And your chances for promotion are now train, the party retire to the sleeping-car and fr “a bee! CHAPTER VIII. good, are they not?” remain in it in their destination station all ‘wi uw Bees A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. “Yes, I don’t know of but two men ahead of | night; but the reperted riot at Oakvale made *y ey ae Tue ‘ Quickstep” had been making excellent | me now,” that impossitle on this occasion. : Ye , a time, and was going at a high rate of speed | ‘‘ And you have a wife and little family who When Redlight Ralph had finished sending a Pk when approaching, Greenwood, are looking forward to your promotion?” the messages, and bad also received two orthree tone Ralph had the right of way now, with no ‘“'Y-yes, that’s all so, Redlight; but—” from the dispatcher addressed to the superin- o, “ first-class train to think of, and was pushing “ But what?” / tendent, he bade good-night to Mr, Humphrey ee ahead swiftly. “ But if Pm ordered ter strike an’ don’t do it, | and closed the key, Then he cut the instru- * & ¢ ; All the way along, second-class and irregular | I'll be called a ‘scab’ and kicked out 0’ th’ | ments out again, and went forward to bis engine, ad a : trains had been found lying on the side-tracks, | league.” leaving it to the others to secure the office door. C ao" ae keeping out of the way as they had been ordered | “And if you do strike, you'll find it no joke| Jeanne Jasper bad left the office a few d 4 ne to do, to be out of work, with a family to support and | moments previously, and now stood near the fae Rae As he was nearing the Greenwood Station, | winter coming on. If you take my advice you | engine, evidently, oF apparently at least, ad- B ¥ though, Ralph’s eyes suddenly caught the flash | will stick to the engine. You won't lose by it. | miring it. : ’ ERY. se of a redlight ahead in the darkness, and instant- | You must look out for yourself and family, and “Are you admiring the ‘Quickstep, Miss a k ly he whistled, shut off steam, reversed and gave | leave it to other men to do the same ” Jasver?’ Ralph inquired, as he raised his be ey wi a little steam, and then applied the air-brakes | “ By th’ Lord Harry! Redlight,” Dan cried, | and then be began to examine the pins ae ) Bade. gradually. ; “T believe you're right.” iournals of the engine, to see whether any had “a ~ Speed was reduced instantly, and ina moment | ‘I know I am.” | beroni heated during the fast run. » vole nore the train was at a stand-still at the sta-} “ An’ I’m with ye. Til stick to th’ ‘Quick. | Yes,” Jeanne answered, “I am. Are you a 3 ion. step,’ and to th’ Co.” - not proud to be the master of such a machine of | aa “What is wanted?” Ralph called out to the} “Good for you, Dan! You won't regret it. puley an‘ beauty?” ict xy af operator. Shall I telt you what I know?” ’ “Tam indeed!” Ralph exclaimed. SS e ‘
Page 9
‘ahead into sue el Pe ‘And are you not afraid, when rushing Paloma impenetrable darkness?” “Not in the least.” the young engineer replied, smiling. ‘‘ Were you afraid, when you were looking ahead so intently from the ears?” “No,” was the low-spoken answer, “I was not; I trusted you too fully to fear alarm.” Once again their eyes met in love. “Thank you,” Ralph said. “I am always careful, and to-night, if possible, 1 am more cautious than ever before. No accident that can be foreseen shall happen, ge red *¢ All-aboard!” sung out Phil Peters at that moment, and with a hasty ‘‘ good-night * Jeanne yan back and entered the car, and Ralph sprung up on his engine. ; Blowing the whistle to call in the flagman, then, and soon getting a signal from him to start, Redlight Ralph pulled the throttle once more and the train glided on its way. ; An hour later, when Oakvale was just in sight, there came a sudden scream from the whistle, a sudden shock denoting that the engine had been suddenly reversed and the brakes put on, and the next instant, with a terrible crash, both cars left the track and went rolling down a steep embankment, CHAPTER IX. AT THE SCENE OF DEATH. By this time the storm had broke in allits fury, and the night was a terrible one indeed. The rain was falling in torrents, and the wind was rising. i Redlight Ralph had been running very fast, and when he came in sight of Oakvale he was just on the point of reducing his speed when the ecident happened. — The place where it occurred was about two miles from Oakvale, on a high embankment. The road at that point made a sharp curve as it came out of a deep cut in the hills, and then the embankment led away for half a mile or more at a down grade. When Ralph came out of the cut and around the curve he glanced toward the direction of the town, where usually many lights could be seen. And there were lights enough to be seen there now. - Several fires were burning, though evidently now greatly reduced by the rain. : One glance in that direetion, and then, as his engine left the curve and started down the straight line, Ralph shoved in the throttle and gave the brakes a little hold. The next instant he reversed, gave a sharp whistle, and put the air on with full force. Rich ahead he had noticed a break in the track where his headlight fell, and knew that one of the rails was out of place! The next instant all was over, Being on a straight line, as stated, the engine - most fortunately crossed the break and mounted safely to the rails again, but the cars, less fortu- nate, went off the track and down the embank- ment. It was a horrible accident. The engine was almost instantly stopped, after it mounted to the rails, and then, with faces pale as deatn, the engineer and fireman jumped down. ; “My God! this is frightful!” Redlight Ralph eried. ‘It is horrible!” There at the foot of the embankment the two ears lay, plainly visible in the light of the flames which were already beginning to dart forth from the interior of one of them, and the groans and eries of the unfortunate persons in them were frightful to hear. | re car, the sleeper, lay upon its back, and the other was lying on its side, ‘Heavens! what’s ter be done?” gasped Dan, the fireman. ° ! This roused Ralph to instant action. “Take your red light,” he ordered, “and run _ back arotind the curve as quick as you ean, and stop whatever comes along. I willsee what help ‘I can render here.” ‘ “ All right!” cried Dan, and he Sprang to obey _ while Ralph hastened down the bank. _ Phil Peters and Mr. Morgan had just got out of the burning car, and were assisting Mr. Jas- per to get through a window, while at another window Lyman Lambert was just crawling out, These were but little hurt. ‘ ‘The flagman, too, was uninjured, and came around from the other side of the car, he having been in the rear end of the sleeper. Redlight Ralph saw him, and said: “Pye sent Dan out to flag. You go up to the engine and get my ax, suk be quick.” _ “As he spoke, Ralph was climbing up to the side > toe ae el Pe ees SET hier wer are Se of the car, the side being now uppermost, to lend his assistance. And the first one to whom he lent it was Ly- man Lambert. Him he laid hold of and helped to get out, and then reached his hand down to Mrs. Jasper, who proved to be another of the uninjured and fortu- nate ones. “Oh! but you shall answer for this!” Mr. Lambert cried, as he moved about excitedly on the side of the car; ‘* you shall pay for this care- lessness! It was all your fault!” “ That will be talked of later,” said Ralph, as coolly as possible under the circumstances, “Will you lend me a little assistance to get Mrs. Jasper out?” Mrs. Jasper was not by any means a small woman, Lambert, however, was too excited to know anything, and still threatening what he would do, moved away. Phil Peters came to Ralph’s assistsnce, and Mrs. Jasper and one other lady were safely taken out. The others, it was feared, must be dead or badly injured. The flagman had now brought an ax, and with it Mr. Morgan, who had jumped to the ground, began to cut a hole through the roof of the car. Meanwhile the flame within was increasing, and the screams of the injured were full of hor- ror. The instant Redlight Ralph had assisted the two ladies mentioned, he hurried along the car toward the end where the fire was raging, “ect eagerly down to catch the face of her he oved. At that instant there came a ery from Lyman Lambert. “Oh! my God!” he cried, ‘‘ will somebody come and help me to rescue: Miss Jasper? Oh} she is doomed! Oh! oh!” Thus he exclaimed, as, standing over one of the windows near the fire, he looked down, wringing his hands like some great baby. At the name of Miss Jasper, Redlight Ralph was at his side in a bound. Looking down he beheld a sight that chilled his blood. There lay Jeanne Jasper, securely imprisoned by one of the seats, her eyes closed in uncon- sciousness and the fire almost at her feet. ‘* Why didn’t you rush to her rescue, instead of sen and shouting?” the Boy Engineer demanded fiercely, and pushing Lambert out of his way he broke one of the windows with his heel and sprung down into the car. The heat was intense, but Ralph’s clothes were wet through with the rain. ; Laying hold of the seat that held Miss Jasper prisoner, he gave it a mighty wrench and tore it from its fastenings, and then picked up the slender girl and carried her toward the other end of the car. While doing so she opened her eyes. ‘‘Oh! what has happened?” she gasped, and then as she saw where: she was, and in whose arms, she exclaimed: “Now I remember! And, oh! it was so terri- ble to lie there and see the flames burning to- ward me! But I knew you would save me, if you had escaped alive.” ‘*- Yes,” Ralph responded, as, stepping care- fully across the windows, he pressed her to his breast. ‘‘I would go through fire itself to save you, because—” ‘4 Because what?” she whispered. ‘* Tell me way. ** Because I love you!” _A smile swept over the pretty face, a glad light shone in the beautiful eyes, and the ripe lips Pe iy ane ‘* And I love you.” _ They were near the end of the car now, and were met by Phil Peters and Mr. Morgan, who had, Jaen succeeded in tearing a hole through the roof. Ralph assisted Jeanne out, and her father caught her to his breast at once. “My child, are you hurt?” he cried, “No, I guess not,” was the reply; ‘and thanks to our brave engineer, I escaped the flames. I was held fast under one of the seats.” “Thank Heaven you are safe! That brave boy shall be rewarded!” ¢ rs, Jasper caught her daughter in her arms, then, and showered kisses and tears upon her freely, A Tartaan Lambert now approached them, and id: “ How thankful I am, Jeanne, that you are not hurt!” and he attempted to take her hand. “Pray do not trouble yourself about me, Mr. Lambert,” the girl “ responded, coldly, Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. do not get in the way, whatever youdo, It is j | | | ‘““ Why are you not rendering assistance to those who are less fortunate?” The man’s face flushed, and with a frown he retorted: “Tt is for our ‘servants’ to do that. what they are paid for. I might be in the way of some ‘ hero’ whose services are of more value than mind would be.” ‘True; I did not pause to think of that. Pray It is fortunate we have some heroes to rescue us.” “* Yes, especially a careless engineer who is re- sponsible for our misfortune.” ‘*T donot believe he is,” Jeanne exclaimed, warmly. ‘‘He—” But she said no more, stopping suddenly and shortly, and with a contemptuous gesture turned her back toward him. With that cut Lambert turned away, His teeth were hard set, and his hands clinch- ed, and he muttered: “ Curse the young hound! I will ruin him or I will koll him, if my money and position can do it. Ican'see that they love each other, and I shall put old Jasper on his guard. The girl is just silly enough to refuse me and run off with this upstart. Cuvse bim!” The other men were working like beavers to save those still in the car. The fire was not so fierce now, the heat within and the rain without having broken the win- dows, thus admitting the rain; but the rain could not reach all parts of the car, and it was clear that most of the interior at least would be consumed, . Mr. Howell had been rescued, and it was found that he had sustained serious injuries, having both legs broken. The body of one other of the directors, who had been killed mstantly, was found, and also the body of one brakeman. These were the only ones killed. Two of the ladies were hurt, one haying both arms broken. The others were all more or less cut and bruised, but in the presence of death such hurts | as these were hardly thought of, After considerable of hard work all were taken out of the car, and all were cared for as well as possible under the circumstances, The sleeping-car, as we have stated, was lying on its back. The trucks had been torn from under it, and its roof was badly broken. Mr. Morgan, upon examining its position, thought that it might be turned over and used as a shelter until help could be sent for. : This was tried, and with but little effort the car was rolled over and placed in its natural po- sition. Into this, then, the wonnded were carried, and there the ladies sought shelter from the storm. It was now a sad-hearted party indeed. When all bad been done that could be done, Redlight Ralph sought the flagman and sent him to find and relieve his fireman from that duty, and then went up to bis engine, There Mr. Morgan and Phil Peters soon joined him, and for the first time the cause of the acci- dent was looked into, It was found that a rail had been removed from its place, and evidently by some person who understood how to do such work, for the spikes had been drawn and the fish-plates re- moved, and near by lay a claw-bar end a wrench, The rail was lying near. Just then a whistle was heard around the curve, ard soon a headlight came in sight. It had been a whistle calling for brakes, and the train—a freight-train—came on to the scene of the accident and stopped. : Dan Dawson had gone outfar enough with his red light to give plenty of distance for any train to stop in. t The superintendent at once directed the engineer of the freigbt-train to sound the a ee for the flagman of that train to go back, which unhappily is seldom done half promptly enanat when a train stops; and then he ordered Pili and Ralph to run on to Oakvale, procure medi- cal aid, and return as quickly as possible, bring- ing a passenger-car with them. “T will hold all trains here,” he said in con- clusion, and Dan, the fireman, coming up at that moment, Redlight Ralph started. fe CHAPTER X. AN ALARMING MISHAP. Mr. MorGAN, then, with the assistance of the men of pi pes ph ar na the displaced rail into position and spiked it fast. . Then he, the superintendent, and Mr, Jasper
Page 10
Te ta > py! - eee cb ea ae Ae eat oe ee, “_ ~ ae ae eT “10 oe oh ad on Ae, a ee ‘ a uF ‘ . : Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Ro ad: ees had a talk concerning who had been the wretch to do the heinous act. ** No, sir,” Mr. Morgan declared most emphat- ically, ‘‘ I do not believe we have a man in our employ who would be guilty of so heartless a deed,” ‘* But, Morgan,” Mr. Jasper are the claw-bar and wrench. count for their being here?” ‘*They may “emcam, Tow stolen.” “Yes, that is true; but who would know where they are kept?” ‘“Oh! they are kept in the regular tool-box at the end of each section; no secret whatever. Anybody could break a box open and get them.” “Well, it may have been an outsider, but I am inclined to lay it to the strikers.” “And you may be right; I merely speak my opinion.” 5 ‘Look yonder at Oakvale! See what our trusted employees are doing for us there! They are giving us fire and destruction.” “Again I must defend my men, sir. I do not believe it is they who are the leaders of the riot.” ‘ Well, I hope they are not, at any rate.” While they were talking they were standing a little apart from the others, now having on their waterproof coats which they had saved from the wreck. Presently there was a stirof excitement among the men near the engine. ? What could be going on? They turned in that direction to learn what was the cause of the commotion. When they drew near they beheld, in the light of the lanterns and torches, two rough-looking men, apparently farmers, who were ‘holding a third man between them. The third man was a villainous-appearing fel- low. His low and retreating forehead, and gen- erally evil cast of countenance, stamped him at once as a low-born wretch. ‘* Whom have you here?” asked Mr. Morgan, “*He’s th’ man what done th’ mischief to th’ track,” one of the captors replied. — ‘¢Ho-ho! and how did you get him?” “Why, [lll tell ye, sir. Ye see, me an’ my son was goin’ home from a sick neixhbor’s, goin’ along th’ road down there,” pointing down the embankment on the side opposite where the wrecked cars lay, ‘‘ when we heard a noise up here on the track. “¢Tom,’ sez I, ‘what be goin’ on up there in th’ dark? “¢T don’t Know,’ sez Tom. “¢There be awful doin’s at Oakvale,’ sez I; ‘mebby they’re doin’ of somethin’ to th’ track.’ “* Like as not, dad,’ sez Tom; ‘s’pose we sneak up th’ bank an’ see.’ *** Come on,’ sez I, an’ we did. “‘ Well, when we got to th’ top we was just in time to see this rascal a-runnin’ away, an’ we started after him.” ‘Did you notice what he had been doing?” in- terrupted Mr. Morgan. ‘* Yes, sir. We see’d that he’d took one of th’ irons out.” “Then why didn’t one of you stay to warn trans of the danger?” “Bless ye, we didn’t think on’t! Not bein’ railroad men, an’ havin’ no sort 0’ way to make a light, we wouldn’t ’a’ knowed how ter do it ow * Well, go on.” ‘Well, ye see me an’ Tom we knows th’ la of th’ land round here, an’ we kept after th’ fel- ler, dark as it was, till we run him down. That was nigh onto a mile away. An’ jest as we got ‘our grabbers onto him, an’ made him prisoner, we heard th’ awful screechin’ of th’ loky an then heard th’ crash. Then we started right back here, an’ here we be.” “Tain’t so!” the prisoner snarled. “ They’ve got th’ wrong man!” ‘No, sir!” cried the farmer, ‘‘ you’re th’ right man! We know him, sir,” to Mr. Morgan. “You know him!” exclaimed both the super- intendent and the president in one breath, ‘* Yes, sir.”. * And who is he?” d ‘* Why, his name is Tim Flinn, an’ he used to work on th’ track.” The prisoner peented out something about re- venge, but Mr. Morgan cut him short. “Are you an employee of this road?” he de- manded. ‘¢ Naw, I ain’t,” was the surly reply. ‘But, this farmer says you are.” “T said he used to work on th’ track,” the farmer corrected. ‘‘He was discharged some rsisted, ‘‘ here ow do you ac- A days ago fer bein’ drunk.” *An’ [ve heard said,” added the farmer’s son, *‘ that he swore revenge.” ‘¢ Ah-ha! this brings the crime right home to you, my man! Do you know the result of your work? Itis death! and you will hang for it as surely as you stand here, Men, bind him,-hand and foot.” At the mention of the awful result of his evil deed, the rascal’s face grew white. His limbs trembled under him, and he began to beg for mercy. But he might as well have appealed to men of stone. In a few moments he was securely bound. Thus the mystery of the accident was fully explained, and the stigma of suspicion removed from the strikers. Mr. Morgan took care to take down the names of the farmer and his son, and inquire where they lived, and then they were allowed to de- part, with a promise of reward for their ser- vices, But the interest of our story centers upon Red- light Ralph, and him we must follow. As soon as he started from the scene of the accident, his fireman and Phil Peters witb him, he turned to Phil and said: “Phil, we are going into a hornets’ nest now.” ‘“T know it, Redlight,” was the response, ‘‘ and hang meif I like it. I’m afraid if they get us down there they won’t let us out again.’ ‘That is just what we must guard against. We have got to go back, and take a car and a doctor with us.” “Ves, youre right; it has got to be done.” Ralph ‘was running slowly now. He had no desire to encounter another misplaced—or, more properly displaced—rail. ‘* And now is the time for us to plan how to do it. It will not do to wait till we get there, trusting wholly to chance.” “That’s where your head is level, my boy. Can you suggest anything?” sk 3 reckon I can, Phil, if I bend my mind to it. “Well, bend it then, and let’s hear from you.” “In the first. place, hadn't we better put out our headlight?” ** What for?” ** So they can’t see us come in.” “Good idea! Yes, by all means.” “Allright. Dan, just go out there and put it out, will you?” The fireman started to obey. “You see,” Ralph added to Phil, “if the headlight is out we can sneak in silently and may not be seen,” if : “You are right.” “Then the first thing to be done is to get hold of a car. Do you know where there is one standing?” : “When I came out from Oakvale early this morning, there was one in the upper end of the yard, tt may be there yet.” “ Allright; anyhow, we can look for it.” ery es.” ‘““Then when once we have found it we can pull out of the side-track and wait for the doctor on the main line, at a little distance above the switch. This will prevent their throwing any switch behind us to keep us there.” ‘* Correct again.” ‘‘ Of course you will have to be the one to go for the doctor, Phi], aud while you are gone Dan and I will — to get out the car.” ‘Yes, that will fall tome, and you must do our. best to get the car and keep out of trouble, You can let me off at the very first street-cross- ing when we enter the town, and wait there for me after you get the car.” ‘All right. And in case the mob gets the better of us, and we can’ get out again, we shall have to dust around and get teams and wagons to go to the rescue of those up at the wreck. But, we will get out; that is not to be thouzht of except as a very last resort.” With this understanding they went on, silent- ly and carefully, with their headlight now ex- tinguished. They had the right of way, of course, and Mr. Morgan was holding the freight-train at the scene of the accident in order to give them the right of road back to that point. When they entered the town Ralph showed up at the first street-crossing, as agreed, an il got off and burried away in quest of a doctor. Ralph continued on, then, running slowly un- til he came to the first switch at the upper end of the yard, where be stopped. A short distance further on the shouts of the crowd could be heard, and hundreds of men could be seen moving about in the dim light of the now almost consumed station. The timely rain had evidently saved a greater destruction by fire, though it was great enough | you. as it was. a oe Having stopped, Ralph directed the fireman to get off and look around for a car. Dan obeyed, and in a few moments came back and reported that there was one justa short distance ahead of where they stood, on the side-track. ‘‘ All right,” said Ralph, “‘ we will take the first one we can get. Here, take this key and open the switch, and lock it open.” Dan took the key and obeyed, and in a mo- ment ran back to the engine and told the young engineer to ‘* come ahead.” Ralph started, and in a few moments more had his engine coupled fast to a passenger car. “Is the car cut Joose from the others in the siding?” he called out to Dan in a low voice. 40, Yes, back up,” came the reply and direction in one. Ralph did so, and in a short time the car and engine were safely out of the side-track and the switch was set up again and locked, So far all had gone well. Backing up to the street-crossing, the Boy Engineer stopped there, and nothing remained to be done but wait for the conductor to return with the doctor, if he could find one, “* We're all O. K. so far, Redlight,” said Dan, as he got up into the cab, ‘‘I guess we'll git out o’ here without any trouble after all.” **T hope so, anyhow,” responded Ralph. ‘‘I wish Phil would make haste with a doctor. Assistance is badly needed up there at the wreck. I suppose he will have some difficulty in finding one wiiling to venture out, though, with all this trouble going on. This has been a terrible trip for us, and—Good Heavens!” The exclamation was drowned in a lond, sono- rous and spiteful hiss of steam from the steam- dome, x Not a thought bad been given to the fact that the engine was likely to ‘ blow off” at any moment, and thus make their presence known, and now that very thing had happened? . Instantly Ralph tried the ‘pauges” and turned on both ‘‘ injectors,” while Dan opene the fire-box door an inch or two, but it was too late, for the alarm had been given, In a few minutes a great shouting was heard, and soon numerous lights were seen, and then came the crowd toward the engine, an excited and angry mob. . CHAPTER XI. AT PISTOL’S POINT. ‘¢GinGER blue!” exclaimed Dan Dawson, ‘¢ what’s to be done now, Redlight?” “We've got to fight!” Ralph answered. “*Tt won’t be no sort o’ use: there’s tco many of ’em fer us to tackle. They'll eat us up. They'll yank us off o’ this engine in jest two twinklin’s.” ‘ ‘Not if you will stand by me they won't,” Ralph returned firmly, and as he spoke he opened the box under his seat in the cab and om outa revolver, a large one and of the best ind, “Lord! I never knowed you had that thing in there!” cried Dan in surprise. . “No, nor anybody else. I have it all the same, though, and I will use it if it is necessary, -- Well. that changes matters quite some. I ess none of ’em will hanker fer a taste o’ that. ’m with ye, Redlight, from th’ word ‘go’! and the fireman armed himself at once with a heavy wrench, This exchange of words occupied but a few brief seconds of time. — Tp a moment the assailants were at hand. “Come down off o’ that engine!” the fore- most cried. ‘ Not another wheel is to be turned here till this thing is settled!” ““That’s what’s th’ matter!” echoed the others. ‘‘Come down, boys, or by heavens we'll pull ye down! We mean biz, you bet!” “Why!” the foremost instantly added, “it is Redlight Ralph and Dan Dawson! Dan is one of us, anyhow!” ; “ Hurrah! Come down, Dan!” Two or three attempted to get up on the engine then, but Ralph presented his revolver at them, and cried: , “Hold on, boys! Don’t climb up here, or you will regret it!” 4 Pe thie side!” shouted Dan. This checked the ardor of the crowd for a moment. But a moment was all. “A seab! a seab!” was quickly shouted. “Dan Dawson is a scab!” “Stand firm, Dan!” said Redlight Ral encouraging tones: ‘‘remember what I will get a chance to speak to the crowd in a minute.” : hh, in told
Page 11
sf _ exclaimed earnestly. Y - of business! [t is like this fire-bug work here At Oakvale, - Str way. ay et es Ps, paler met how! If I have to not hesitate to shoot!” him Redlight Ralph, the Prince of t “Not a scab,” shouted some one, “but a traitor ! Down with traitors!” ‘** Down with him!” **Down with both of ’em!” Redlight Ralph watched them from the win- dow of the cab, still holding his revolver in sight to hold them at bay. e saw that the railroad men in the crowd were outnumbered ten to one. In fact, he saw but few faces he knew. All the others, or nearly all, were faces of idlers, tramps and evil rascals such as are ever ready to lead a mob or riot at any and all times. The railroad men gradually worked their way to the front, but most of them were more or less in liquor. Ralph was quick to form an opinion of the terrible state of affairs existing there. The riot and incendiarism, he believed, were much more the work of the idlers than of the strikers, | **Come, Redlight Ralph!” cried the one who had first called Ralph’s name, a fireman, “ git right down, now, and give up yer engine, or by blazes we will use force!” ** An’? you too, Dan Dawson!” shouted an- other, ‘‘ git right down and save trouble. We don’t want ter be rough with ye, but we'll have bd be if ye don’t come ter time mighty sud- en.” There was a brief pause then, and the Boy Engineer shouted: ‘*Tf you will listen to me, boys, I would like to say a few words.” ‘“Say ahead,” was the instant cry; hear what ye’ve got ter talk about.” ste There's been an accident up there at Big ; ? “An accident at Big Fill! What is it?” * Somebody took out a rail, and when I came along there a short time ago, with a special train with President Jasper and bis party, the train went off the track and down the embank- ment.” ‘* Anybody hurt?” inquired one of the rail- road boys. ‘*'Yes; two killed and several others badly hurt. I have come on here to get this car and a doctor. You won’t try to hold me here till after the dead and wounded are cared for, will you? There are several ladies among them.” “No,” answered one, ‘‘ we won't stop ye till after ye come back. That wouldn't be right; hey boys?” ‘Yes it would be right, too!” shouted an- other, a villainous-looking tramp. ‘ Let ’em die if they wants ter. What does th’ president care for us? He’s rollin’ in wealth; we're ound down to th’ dust. Let ’em suffer! Let lem git a taste of th’ bitter side o’ life once!” “That's the idee!” cried others; ‘let em know what hard knocks is!” 3 “That won’t do, boys,” declared Ralph. “TI have come here to get help, and by heavens I’m not going to back down. Do you know what the suspicion is?” @, ** No, nor we don’t care! What is it?” “Well, it is suspected that you strikers took up that rail, and if you did there’s blood on your hands!” “We didn’t do it!” cried two or three of the sober ones, whom Ralph knew. ‘It isno work of ours!” ‘ “Tam afraid you will have to prove that. It is a serious thing for somebody to answer for. Tf I am detained here it will make it look all the worse for you, too.” By this time several more of the more sober of the railroad men had crowded to the front, and there were some whom Ralph knew well. “What's that has got to be answered for?” the new-comers demanded, “ What has been done?” - Ralph explained again. —_ “That can’t be laid at_our door!” one of them “We are not in that line * let's If we could only find out who is at th’ head of such work, by heavens we'd Ipnch “Tt is not your work, then?” Ralph queried. , “*No,” was the answer, ‘it is not! We have been fighting fire like demons. This riot work don’t belong to our crowd.” Br will you let me go back to work in “Yes, we will; we—” “ No, we won't Q” ‘ This latter cry came from the opposite side of theengine. ~~ “Well,” declared Ralph, “I am going, any- fight my way out, I shall “Yes, let him go,” the sober and level-headed Se r SANT Ele) a ere” A Ay Ph. — et do MA he Road. ~ \ ones advised. “We must do all we can to | face of a man who was standing near the brake, clear ourselves of the charge of taking out that rail. Besides, we are not the men to refuse to help wounded men and women, are we?” **No! no!” ‘This engine can’t go a footl” cried others. ‘Tf one moves they’ll all move! What do we care for old Jasper and his tribe? What do they care for us? Let ’em die! Didn’t he send us word that we might go to thunder?’ ‘* When did he send that word?” Ps It was Redlight Ralph who put the ques- ion. ‘*He sent it early in th’ evenin’,” was the re- ply. ‘* We’re white men, we are, jest as white as he is; and if he says we can go to thunder, so may he !” ‘* That’s th’ talk! Three cheers fer our side!” As soon as he could make himself heard, Ralph shouted: : “Itis a lie! The president never sent any such word! He and some of the directors were coming here to-night, and they intended to meet you to-morrow. They had good news for you, too.” ‘** What was th’ news?” “Tt is not for me to tell you; but Iam sure | no such word was sent. proof of it?” ‘‘ What more proof do we want? Everybody knows it, and everybody says it is so!” * That’s a weak argument.” “Well, we don’t care a red cent anyhow! We want Dan Dawson, now, and we're goin’ ter have him! He shan’t turn scab if we kin help it! “Ye can’t have him!” cried Dan. ‘ Dan Dawson is no fool, and he is no brute! He’s not going to leave poor wounded women to die fer want of kelp. After our duty is done, then we will be ready ter talk business with ye. Hold on! if ye try to git up here Ill split your head! Yow re no railroad man!” One of the rough-looking tramps had made Have you tried to get the attempt to get aboard the engine, but, as | Dan raised his wrench he gave up and fell back in the crowd, *“How many are willing to let me go back in peace?” Ralph asked. Ten or twelve bands were raised at once. “Get aboard and go with me, then. We are brothers of the rail; and we must do our duty to the injured. If you refuse to help them, how can you expect the company to listen to you?” ‘‘ Redlight Ralph is right,” was the shout of the few, and at once they crowded to the steps of the engine and got aboard. Others tried to follow, others whom tl e youn: -engineer knew were not railroad men at all, an at once he presented his pistol again and held | them back. At that moment the fireman touched him on the shoulder and pointed back over the tender to a fight some distance up the track. {t was the light of a lantern, and it was sig- naling him to ‘* back up.” Ralph jumped at once to the correct conclu- sion that it was Phil Peters. Seeing the crowd around the engine on his return, he had made his way up the track a little distance. Ralph sounded the whistle-signal to back, and Dan rung the bell, thus giving warning to the inet ag stand clear, and then Ralph pulled the rottle. The engine started backward ‘at once, but | f | Or no scab, there was a sudden “clang!” as the heavy bar dropped down upon the pilot, and the car re- mained motionless, Some one had pulled the pin and uncoupled the engine from the car. : With an angry imprecation Ralph shut off steam instantly and stopped. “Here, Dan,” he ordered, ‘take hold of the throttle and move ahead slowly. I'll see if I can’t couple up again.” Dan got over to the right-hand side and took the throttle, and Ralph, with his revolver in band, stepped out upou the ruvning-board and passed along to the steam-chest and thence to the pilot. ‘Get away from here,” he ordered, “ or I will shoot! I will stand no fooling!” ‘As the engine was moving forward, the men | hastily stepped from between it and the car, | and taking his revolver in his teeth, Ralph lifted the bar and made the coupling. “All right!” he shouted to Dan; “back up!” | and the fireman obeyed at once. The men on the car, however, had put on the brakes, and the car was not easy to pull. This Ralph discovered as soon as Dan opened the throttle, and catching hold of the frame of the headlight with bis left hard, he leaned for- ward and thrust his revolver almost into the | left it stanc | family, not for a mob like thet at Oakvale. |, gine is my headquarters, an’ here I’m goin’ ter hold saying: ‘*My friend, will you please let off that brake?” The man was so surprised and startled that he obeyed instantly. Then Ralph ordered the platform of the car cleared, and his manner was such as to admit of no hesitation. The men got off from both sides at once, : As soon as they were off, the young engineer stepped across from the pilot to the car, aad having a key, unlocked the door and entered. It was fortunate the car was locked, or it would have been full of the tramps and loafers, who, as we have said, formed the larger portion of the mob, > Closing and locking the door behind him Ralph hurried through to the other end, opened that door and cleared the platform at pistol’s point, and then let off the brake at that end of the car. CHAPTER XII. RALPH TO THE DEFENSE. In their haste to get off. one of the men had not stopped to pee up a lantern belonging to him, but ing on the platform near the brake. Redlight Ralph picked it up at once, and with it signaled to the fireman to continue backing, Dan answered ‘the signal with three short “ toots * of the whistle, and increased the. speed of the en- ine. & In afew moments they reached the place where the other lantern, the one first seen. was still signal- ing, and there Ralph signaled to stop. The holder of the lantern was indeed Phil Peters, and with him was a doctor. “This way. Phil!’ called Ralph, from the rear platform. and in a moment the conductor and the doctor were aboard, “Who ic handling the engine?’ Phil asked at once. **Dan has charge.’’ Ralph answered, “and I am playing conductor. The mob cut the car loose and put on the brakes. and | had to couple up and let them off. I tell you we had a litle excitement. You take charge now, and I'll go back to the en- gine.” “ All right. Who are all the men on the engine though?”’ ‘““Why. they are strikers. I found they were in favor of helping us at the wreck, and toid them to get aboard.’ Ralph hastened out of the car then, and over to the cab, and took bis place at the throttle. Then with a long scream of the whistle she started for the scene of the accident. “So.” he remarked to those in the cab, ‘‘you know nothing about that displaced rail, eh?’ “Not a thing,” was the earnest reply. “If it was done by a striker, we do not know who it was; but we do not believe it uvs a striker. We are not mur. derers!”’ * And you say you are not responsible for the fires: at Oakvale?”’ ‘*So we say and so we mean. We have been fight. ing like dogs to save the company’s property. If we find the miserable cur, by heavens we will lynch him!’ ‘IT saw a great many hang-dog faces .n the crowd with you,”’ Ralph declared. r ‘‘] know it, and by heavens they try to take the lead in our affairs!” “'There’s a way to stop them.” “ How is that?” “Go to your lodge-room and stay there, or if not there, go home. Then whatever depre dation is done, it cannot be laid to 707.” “That’s sound advice.’ declared Dan, the fireman, “and Redlight Ralph knows wha‘ he is telkin’ about, As for me, boys, 1 am out of this muss, scab ‘You're out of it!” exclaimed two or three other remen, ‘*Yes,l am/ Im_ on a lay fer myself an' my This en- out,’ “ What's put that into yer head? You ain’t goin” back on us, be ye?” i. “T ain’t goin’ back on my wife ard babies, that’s sue. Common sense put. th’ idee inter my _head, common se:se from Redlight Ralph bere. Tain't goin’ back on you, neither, fer to-morrer 1 am goin’ ter get Redlizht ter make a speech fer ye, if he will, an’ tell ye th’ same things he’s told me, orly a good: deal more, Will ye do it. Redlight?” Ralph blushed like a scheolboy. . “Twill do so." he answered, “if IT am asked, al. though [ never attempted such a thing as a speech | in mv life.”’ * Well, I'll see that you’re esked then,” declared Dan. and so the matter was dropped, In a short time they arrived at the scene of the ac- cident. The rain had now abated considerably, thcugh the: storm still continued. The fire in the one car was out, though it had con- tinued until the whole interior was destroyed, and in. the other car—the sleeper—the party were gathered. —now asad party indeed, The moment Ralph stopped, the men sprung down from the engine, and the conducter_ led the doctor at once to the car where the wounded were, _ Mr. Howell and the two ladies who were injured } a
Page 12
_—— rps %. = i. s ~ $ ph Bs £ ar a = 3 - Redlight Ralph, the Seid gS in Wein Sy PO oa ee Ties ie / r . a wee . . a « PF Sees es oe " Prince of the : sver> cared for first, and with all the skill possible ander the circuwstances, Meantime, as soon as the strikers got down from ‘the engine, they were met by Mr. Morgan and Mr. Jasper, “Are you some of the strikers?” the superintend- ent demanded. ‘* We are, sir,” answered one of the men, ‘‘and we have come up here to tell ae that we are not re- sposible for this work,” indicating the accident, ‘‘and to render whatever assistance we can. We ure on a strike, but we are doing no damage to per- son or property.” “No damage!” exclaimed Mr. Jasper, *‘ what do ou eall your work at Oakvale? Is it no damage to urp our shops and other buildings?” “ Neither ig ‘hai our work, sir. We have done all in our power to save the company’s property.” “That is strange, and it does not at all agree with the reports we have received.” ‘*Tt is the truth, sir.” ‘‘ Well, even if you did not set the fires yourselves you are responsible for them.” : * How so, sir?” ‘* Why, if there had been no strike there would be no riot.” ‘Our striking had nothing to do with the riot. The riot was more your fault, sir.” ** My fault! How can it be my fault?” “Did you not send word to the men that they could go to thunder?’ “No, sir, I did not! Who saysI did?” ‘“Why, every body says so.” “It is not so! And by heavens I will know who started such a report.” “Do you believe us then, sir, when we say we are not responsible for this accident?” “Yes, Ido; and on the strength of pro -f of your innocence in this, I am inclined to believe your whole story.” “And so am I,” declared Mr. Morgan. ‘* You know what I told you, Mr. Jasper.” “Yes, I remember.” “Do you say, Mr. Morgan, that you have proof that the strikers did not remove the rail?’ asked Redlight Ralph. ‘Yes, we have proof.” **Wuat is it?” asked the strikers as one man. “We have the man who did it,’ the superintend- ent answered, * Who is it?’ with excitement. “Ttisone Tim Flinn, who used to work on the track.” * Oh! the murderer! Where is he?” and in an instant the sirikers became like demons seeking vengeance. ba The prisoner had been placed in the car next to the engine of the freight-train. ‘We have made him prisoner,” was the answer of the superintendent, “and we will take him to Oak- vale and lodge him in jail.” ‘*No you won't, sir, tor we will hang him! Where is he? Let us give him quick justice at tne end of a bell-ropel”’ “No, no, my men,’’ Mr, Jasper interposed, “ you must let the law deal with him. You have no right to harm him, no matter what his crime be.” “But w2're goin’ ter ¢.ke th’ right!” another striker cried. ‘*‘No murderer kin run trains off th’ track an’ kill folks on this road, an’ werun th’ risk of bein’ blamed for it; not much! We want that man, an’ we're goin’ ter have him!” ie No, men!” protested Mr. Morgan, ‘“‘you are wrong. You mst let the law deal with him, as Mr. Jasper says. If you lynch him, you will only make yourselves out criminals in the eye of the .aw, and ov will be dealt with severely.” “That is so, boys,” added Redlight Ralph. “ You must not undertake to harm him. I do not say that he does not deserve all you would give him, but you mu.t not doit; the law must take its course.” Jt was some time before the angry men could be brought to listen to reason, but at last they were pacified, and then all set to work to remove the dead and wounded from the wrecked car at the bottom of the bank to the car on the track. The dead were carried up first and placed in one end of the car, where the bodies were covered with sheets from the wrecked sleeper. Then the wound- ed were brought and made as comfortable as pos- sibie in the other end, where they were cared for tenderly by those who thad been so fortunate as to escape injury. In a reasonable length of time the work was done, and leaving one of the men of the freight-train to watch the wrecked cars, (which he did by crawlin into a bed in the sleeper and going to sleep,) an others to signal traics and warn them of the bad place in the track, the party went on to Oakvale, the freight-train following carefully, Mr. Morgan and Phil Peters were the only men on the “Quickstep ’’ besides Ralph and Dan, all the others being now in the car, and pushing the car ahead of them as they were now doing, they ad- vanced carefully, the flagman standing on the front platform of the car to signal them ahead. “Where had we better stop, Mr. Morgan?” Phil asked. “ Well,”’ Mr, Morgan decided, ‘I suppose it makes little differencs where we stop. We must look fur trouble anywhere, and be prepared forit. Run to the crossing the nearest to the Grand Hotel and stop there. ‘We have decided to go to thar house.” “All right, sir, said Ralph, “T will stop there.” “And you, Peters, you must go ot ence for a con- veyance to take the wounde. to the hotel, Start as goon as we stop, and we will remain in the car till you return.” When they entered the town they heard the wild shouts of the mob all along the track, and par- ticularly at the crossings, and when they stopped the crowd surrounded the car at once, Phil Peters started immediately for conveyances ee i his. absence the car was kept dark and ocked, The mob increased in body and in noise, and it was feared that an attack would be made apon the car, though the friendly strikers defended it at each end with their presence. In due time the conductor returned with two large barouches from the hotel, and the dead and wounded were taken from the car and placed in one of them. At first the sight of the dead seemed to appall the mob, but as soon as the first conveyance started they began to demonstrate evil intent toward the others, aud an attack was feared. The ladies were hurried out of the car and toward the waiting barouche, but ere they reached it the rough mob made a desperate charge. Redlight Ralph, not expecting such an act as this, bad not left bis angine, but now, revolver in hand, he sprung down to rush to the defense of the girl he loved—pretiy Jeanne Jasper. CHAPTER Xill. JEANNE JASPER MISSING, lr was a moment of danger as well as one of great excitement. i The mob acted more like a horde of wild savages than like civilized beings. They hurled stones at the car and engine, and nearly all the windows of both | were broken, in a moment’s time. This was clearly not the work of the striking em- ployees. At the moment when Redlight Ralph sprung down from his engine, Mrs, Jaeper and Jeanne had just started, behind the others, from the car to the carriage. Mr, Jasper and Mr, Morgan were trying to protect Mrs. Jasper, w-ile Phil Peters sprung to assist Lyman Lambert in performing the same duty for Jeanne, ' “Come, Miss Jasper,’ Lambert was saying, “* pray hasten, or we shall be killed,” “Run on, if you are afraid,” Jeanne responded; ‘“‘Tam making all the baste I can.” “N—no,” stammered the young director; “it is not my own safety Lam thinking of, but yours.” “ Well, assist me then, and say nothing.” “Please take my arm,” said Phil, as he offered it to her; * we are in a tervible crowd.” “Thank yon,” and Jeanne slipped her arm through that of the old condnctor, while on the other side Lyman Lambert had hold of hers with his hand. The next moment, as Redlight Ralph was making his way toward them, be saw a stone strike» Phil on the head, and saw him reel and fall to the ground. Then several of the most evil looking men in the crowd pressed forward upon Jeanne and her fright- ened protector, and parted them, Lambert being Hot one way and the girl bemg forcibly dragged another, Lambert made ashow of resistance for a moment, till some one struck him a light blowin the face, when he turned, ran to the carriage and clambered in, Redlight Ralph saw nothing of that, however, His eyes were upon Jeanne, and in his eagerness to reach her side he knocked men out of his way right and left. But the fates were against him. The crowd seemed to pr ss before him like a solid wall, and in a mo- | ment the girl had been forced around the end of the car 4nd out of sight in the darkness, Ralph then turned to get around the other way and give pursuit, when suddenly a heavy blow fell upon his head and he was knocked senseless. ‘In the mean time, when the second carriage had started in haste from the railroad, and had gone some distance, Mrs. Jasper sucdenly exclaimed: ‘**My God! where is Jeanne?” “Heavens! is she not here?’ cried Mr. Lyman’ Lambert instantly, and be looked up with an expres- sion of horror. He had been so badly frightened and upset that he had forgotten everything save Nature’s first law— | “self-protection,” or “preservation.” | | | | When he recovered he-was on his engine, and Dan | Dawson and one or two others were bending over him. . “ThKank th’ Lord he’s alive, anyhow!’’ Dan ex- claimed fervently as Ralph opened fs eyes. At first Ralph could not realize what had happened, and his mind reverted in a dazed way to his narrow escape from collision with the stock-train some hours previously. é “Was anybody killed?” he asked. “No. I guess not,” answered Dan, ‘but poor Phil is pretty badly hurt, an’ they’ve sent him to the hospital ”” ” he toobad. Are we off the track? and is the engine damaged much?” ; “Thunder! you're off your nut, Redlight, sure! We ain’t had no smash-up; we're here at Oakvale. You got a erack in the riot.’ Tt all came back like a flash now, and Ralph was upon his feet in an instant. ’ “How long have I been unconscious?” he de- manded. “ About twenty minutes, I reckon,” ‘* And is the trouble all over?” * Yes, about over fer to-night, I guess.” * Aud Miss Jasper—did they recover her?” ' ps Bee: know; didn’t know she was lost. ost?”’ “ee “Yes: or at least I saw her carried off by a lot of ruffians. But, where are we standing?” 4 “ We're in th’ round-house, or th’ little that’s left of it after th’ fire,” 7 “Who ran us in here? and where is the crowd now?”’ “T ran th’ engine in here. when th’ crowd got out of th’ way. Thev’ve ‘most all left th’ yard now. “Well, you look after the engine, Dan; I must go at once to the hotel and see Mr. J: nope: “All right,” was Dan’s reply, and Ralph, without waiting to divest himself of his cveralls and jumper, started at once. Is she ' she shall become my wife. * Stop! driver, stop!” shouted Mr. Jasper. The carriage was stopped at once, and the presi- dent of the railroad got out, “Go on,” he then ordered, ‘I must go back and find my daugbter;’’ and he started at once, while the others went on to the hotel. c Going back to the car. where the crowd was begin- ning to disperse, Mr. Jasper made search and in- uiry for the missins one, but she could not be ound. : ~ ome had seen her at the time when the mob had made its charge upon the car, when she was 1n the company of the conductor and Lambert, but no one could be found who had seen her since. Mr. Jasper made a hasty search of the car and en- gine, and then hastened away to go to Police Head- quarters, where he made a report of the cireum- stances of Jeanne’s disappearance, and asked help to find her, which was readily promised. hen he started back to the hotel. \“hen he arrived there he was met at the entrance by Redlight Raiph. “Have you seen my daughter?” the president in- stantly asked. ‘Heavens! have you not found her?” the young engineer gasped. “I was just on the point of ask- ing. ‘No, she has not been found. Did the men tell you she is lost?” “No, sir, [saw her carried off; and I was making every effort to go to her resctie when some one hit me on the head and knocked me senseless.” “What can we do? Where can she be? I will vive a thousand dollars to any one who will return her to me within an hour!” © * willdo all in my power to find her, sir. and vithout the incentive of a reward. Have you noti- fied the police?” ‘Yes, and I have made inquiry ot every man I have met on the streets, friend or foe. My God! young man, she must be found!" “And she shall be found, sir!’ declared Ralph, in earnest tones. “Yes, indeed, she must. siz must, be recovered!” put in Lyman Lambert, who at that moment came to the door. i Ralph glanced at him in disgust. “You pad better go to bed,” he said; “‘you might take cold.” : “ What!’ eried Lambert, purple with rage, “* you speak thus to me! Dog! you shall be removed from the road!” P “ Good-night, sir!” said Ralph to Mr. Jasper, tak- ing no notice of the young and cowardly director; “T will do all in my power to find your davghter.” “hank you,” the president responded, ‘and I pray that you may succeed Fi Ralph turned away at once, and then young Lam- bert turned to the president and said: “That young rascal is not to be trusted, sir!” “Not to be trusted? Whst do you mean?” “Tmean just what I say, sir.4t_would not sur- rise me very much to learn that /e is the one who g responsible for Jesnne’s disappearance, and that he knows where sheis.” “Nonsense!” and Mr. Jasper’s tone was one of displeasure, to say the least. Call it nonsense if you will, but 1 know what I am talking about!” i Well, what ave you talking about? I would like o know.” “Twill tell you, Thereis a love secret between rt daughter and that young engineer, and—” © What l “ Just that; they love each other, and have been carrying on a despera e flirtation all night.” “Tambert, you astound me!” “T was astounded myself; but it is true, and I felt it my duty to tell you. He isnodoubt a fortune- hunter, and it is possible that he might win your daughter's regard sufficiently to induce her to elope with him, 1t is possible that he has already Jone ” ‘Wo, no, I cannot believe that; but if, what you say is true, Ishall keep my eyes upon them in the future.” * And it is true, 1 swear it! You can satisfy your- self next time you see them together. The best thing tas can do, Mr. Jasper, is to remove the rascal from the road.” * No. no, we can’t do that; think «f all he has done for us. That is notto be thought of. I will, however, take steps to keep MY daughter from meeting him again, But, my God! where can she er “Heaven only knows, sir!, I hope she will come tonoharm. You know she is as dear to me asto you, Mr, Jasper, since you, have promised me that “Yes, yes, that is so.”” “And she sal be mine! I love fer, and could not. live without Fer. I am rich, I bave position and / money; and vou, Mr J sper, must use your author- | your father, and nothing will give me more itv tokeep that fortune-hunt:r from her presence. No knowing what harm may come of it,” “7 promise vou thar I will do so, my boy. Tloved easure than to see you the husband of my child. have vo fear that you will lose her,” i : “Thank you sir. It will be joining money to pire } 749
Page 13
B yf Whe servant advanced and delivere Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. ———$—$—$——————— money; and money, as we know, is the key to all happiness. Is it not so?” * 1 certainly believe it is.” ‘*Of course it is; and what would that beggar of | given him the letter, an engineer do with a lady for his wife? Bah} it is ridiculous.” Tais ended their conversation for the time, and they entere i the hotel, vantime the other actors in our “‘drama of a night’ had not been idle. fr. Morgan was busy restoring order, as far as it was possible; others had cared for the unfortunate dead, the bodies having now been removed to an undertaker’s; the man who had been the cause of the accident had been safely lodged in jail, and the injured persons had been given the best medical aid the town could afford. Mr. Humphrey, the dispatcher at Mansfield, had sent men from a station east from the place of the accident to repair the track, tor although Mr, Mor- gan had been able to replace the rail so that trains could pass over it, carefully, the roadbed was sadly out of order, Men had been left to protect trains there till the repairers arrived, as mentioned. But Jeanne Jasper was not found. ; The night wore away and morning came, and the storm having cleared, it was a morning clear and bright; but awful evidences of the night’s hideous work were visible on every hand. At an early hour Redlight Ralph, who had not heen idle for a single moment, called to report to ari Jasper the failure of hissearch for the missing rl. CHAPTER XIV. PLAYING A TRUMP. None of the party, except the injured ones, had closed their eyes in sleep during the night. To them, the original ones, opiates had of course been administered. m Yes, there was one other exception—Lyman Lam- ert. He, some time after his interview with Mr. Jas- er on the hotel porch, had gone up to his room and h:.own himself down upon the bed, and was still fast auicep. Redlight Ralph had been to his boarding-house and removed his overalls and blouse (his home be- ing at Mansfield, and bis ‘‘ run” being between that city and Oakvale, where he had to “ lay over” eve: y other day, he had a home at each end of the ving and when he ealled at the hotel he was as we dressed as any man there. He asked at once for Mr. Jasper, and was shown to the room where the president was holding a con- sultation with Mr. Morgan, the superintendent. Ralph had seen Mr. Morgan only an hour or so aS mh so with only a nod to him he addressed imself at once to Mr. Jasper. * Any news of your daughter yet, sir?” he asked. ‘*No,” was the sad reply, ‘not a word. Have you learned anything?” *- Yes, | have learned something; I—” “Tell me quickly what it is!’ and Mr. Jasper, all excitement, partly rose from his chair. “It is nothing concerning your daughter’s wherea- bouts,’ Ralph explained, “but it is concerning the strikers, I have learned, on reliable authority, that they are not responsible for her disappearance.” “Ag I have said all along!’’ declared Mr. Morgan, “They would not dare to do such a thing.” “It is not that they dure not, sir,” returned Ralph “but that they wouldnot. They are not lost to all manhood, sir.” “So I believe,” the superintendent agreed at once. “AndIam sorry it is not they,” Mr. Jasper re- marked, Mr. Morgan and Ralph looked at him in quick sur- prise, “You are sorry it is not they!” Mr. Mor, re- ted in exclamative tones, ‘‘And why? I do not catch your meaning, Mr. Jasper.” . Jasper. : “My meaning is this:, In their hands, my daugh- ’ ter would at least be secure against harm. + Right!’ cried Ralph, instantly. But, she is not in their hands, nor in the hands of any of the labor men, 80 far as | ¢an learn,” “Then where is she?” “Shall I give you my opinion?” ‘By all means. ‘Do not hesitate to name any sus- piciou you ma} have. ‘Well, I believe that Miss Jasper has been ab- ducted by some rascal who will try to force you to pay a ransom for her return.’ “The very idea ” cried Mr, Morgan. “'Ten to one Raymond is right. I “Tt certainly looks reasonable,” Mr, Jasper ad- mitted, “and if it is so I shall not hesitate to pay whatever sum is demanded. At that moment a servavt entered with a letter. ok Seah Jasper,” he announced, stopping just e the door. “Tam he,” Mr. Jasper said, extendin his hand. e letter, retiring at once, and Mr. Jasper tore it open read it : P pen and “You were right, young man!’ he exclaimed “my daughter has Re abducted for the purpose of extorting money from me.” The letter is from the rascals who hold her?” ed. the office, sir,’’ was the hue: + & st Reply. ae Bia you come with me to: the office? I want to m., Yearn where that letter came fro ae { “Certainly,” the man answered, and he led the way. Entering the office he indicated the clerk who had Ralph stepped forward to the desk and inquired: * Can you tell me, sir, who left the letter for Mr. |! Jasper which you just sent up to him by this man?” | “A boy left it here about five minutes ago.” } “ And be went away without waiting for a reply?” “He went away at once; did not stop here a mo- ment.”’ ‘Can you deseribe bim?”’ , . No, sir, 1cannot. I did not more than glance at im. Ralph went back. His idea had been to find, if possible, the person who had brought the letter and trace him, secretly, back to the partics who had sent it; but, he had met with disappointment. When he entered the room where Mr. Jasper and Mr. Morgan were eagerly discussing the contents of the letter, he said: “‘T hoped to catch _the person who brought it, sir, but I was too late. Does the letter give any clew?” Ralph asked the question with the air of a veteran detective. ‘“*Not the slightest clew,’? Mr. Jasper replied. “Here, though,” he added, “ you may read it.” Ralph took the letter and read: “Dear Srr:—Your girl is ail safe and sound, and you can have herif you will pay us $5,000 for her, if you won't do this, you won’t see her again soon. ‘* Yores truely, THE COMMITTEE. ‘*To Mr. JASPER.’? ‘What do you think of it?” Mr. Jasper asked. “Committee of grandmotuers!’’ the young en- gineer exclaimed in disgust. *‘ Whose committee are they? Their letter shows them to be ignorant. They are a set of bold rascalst”’ ‘Here is a postscript to the letter,’ and Mr. Jas- per handed over another slip of paper. Ralph took it and it read as follows: ““P. S.— We can’t make no appointment with you, so you must let us know what you will do by aad. in this afternoon P.st. Then we will let you know.” “‘They deserve to be hanged!’’ Ralph cried in an- ger. ‘*tintend to hunt them down and bring them to account for this!”’ ‘“No, no,” demurred Mr. Jasper, quickly; ‘‘I will pay what they demard. I must get my child out of heir hands as soon as possible.” “And I advise him not to do it,’’ put in Mr. Mor- gan. ‘So do I!” cried Ralph. ‘‘If you yield to them at their figure, they will demand more.” * Tell me what to do, then.” “T think I can suggest a plan.”’ Ralph announced. “Do so, then, for Heaven’s sake.* Let us be doing something.” Ralph took paper and pencil and wrote a few words, an@ then handed the paper to Mr. Jasper to read. What he had writt<n was this: *Rascats:—I wil] pay one thousand. Answer at once, by letter as before, or through the mail. You ask more than I will give. JASPER.”’ “Tt is not so!’ Mr. Jaspercried at once. “I will give /-ve,ty thousand if it is necessary.” . “You do not seemy game,” said Ralph. ‘‘ Let me explain. In the first place we have no way of reach- ing these men except through the Pus/, a newspaper ublished here about two 9’clock in the afternoon, uppose we put this advertisement init, They will, of course, answer at once. One of us can be on guard at the post-office, and the other in the hotel office. The—” “I see! I see!” cried Mr, Jasper; ‘‘? understand it all. But Ido not agree to your wording of the ad- vertisement. I will word it thus:” and taking up the pencil he wrote: ’ La ‘“Taccept the terms. Communicate with me at once, same as before, or by mail. JASPER.”’ “There!” he exclaimed, “that will answer the same purpose, and will at the same time insure good treatment to poor Jeanne.”’ A n That is 80,” decided Mr. Morgan at once. Yes. Ralph acknowledged, “your plan is better than mine, unless they suspect some snare in so quick an aeceptance of their demand.” vill Dot ewes to Feonon It out. They wil be tee v i) se to reason out, ey will elated to reason at all.” y eine: ‘“‘Yes, I_ think so,’ Mr. Jasper coincided. “At any rate, if we failto catch them in our snare we will have their terms and conditions of the exchange. If the trap fails us I shall pay the price, oras much me ed ‘7 oat . am determined,” * Well, ope the trap will not fail,” “, promise to do my part toward ene cess.’ “And who will be the one to be on guard at ost-office?”* inquired Mr, Morgan. se P' “That is my post,” Ralph declared. “You may plac* whomsoever you please in the hotel office, ‘I shall go and see the postmaster, explain my busi- ness, and get his permission to sit in the office where lI can see every letter that is dropped into the box. and at the same time be out of sight myself. There are no street boxes in this fown, aad if the letter is sent by mail it must be put into the post-office, e moment I see a letter put in addressed to you, Mr. Jasver, I shall fix my eye on the person Who puts it there, aud I will follow him until 1 find your daughter,” : ‘, An excellent idea! It is bound to succeed!” So I think,” Mr. Morgan agreed. | the game, * And,” added Mr. Jasper, “ Iwill have Mr, Lam- bert play the same 7/e here at the hotel.” And so they parted. : Later on, Mr. Jasper sent his version of the adver- | tisement to the office of the Post, and then arranged with Lyman Lambert and the hoiel clerk for the working out of the scheme there, Redlight Ralph, though, was almost certain to get He reasoned that the men would fight shy of the hotel after having delivered one letter there. The post-office though, was a place where they could go and drop a letter without the least chance of discovery. Ralph, accordingly, went to the post-office and made his arrangemerts, and then nothing remained. to be done but to wait for time. Would the plan succeed? We shall see. CHAPTER XV. RALPH AND THE STRIKERS. Arten o'clock a committee from the striking em- ployees called at the hotel to meet Mr. Jasper and! the directors. They were received in one of the parlors. Their conference was not a long one, and no set- tlement of the difficulty was reached The demands: of the strikers would not be acceded to by the com- pany, and the terms of the company would not be accepted by the strikers, And so the matter rested. * By your hasty action,” said Mr. Jasper, at the conclusion of the interview, “you have injured yourselves as much as you have injured us. It was our intention to advance the wages of all of our «m- ployees on the first of the new year, but now the great damage done to our property last night will make it impossible for us to do so.” * But, the fires were not set by us, sir,’’ the com- mittee protested. ‘*No matter; the loss to us is the same, Had there been no strike there would have been no riot, and no fires. Your sudden move was entirely un- looked for. Had we suspected that you intended to strike last night, we certainly would not have set out to come here with ladi+s in our party. But we anticipated no trouble. We expected to arrive here in peace, spend the remainder of the night in safety, and then meet you to-day and settle our differences amicably and satisfactorily.” ‘Nor had we any intention of striking, sir, until the rumor was started that you had se: t word that we might go to thunder with our grievances. Them some of the hot-headed ones among us were up in. arms in a moment, and the result—you know it.’ “T sent no such word, my men, and the rcport was a false one--maliciously fa.se.’ “We believe you, sir, and we would like to find the man who started the report.” “Well, you do not agree to our terms?” Mr. Jas- per queried, ‘*No, sir,” was the firm response, ‘we do not, Do you agree to vur terms?” “We do not,” The committee went away, then, and the sit- uation was the same as it had been before they came.. True to his word, Dan Dawson had mentioned Red-- light Ralph to the strikers as b: ing willing to make: & speech for them, if asked to dc so, and he gave: Ralph such a great and enthusiastic recommenda-- tion as an orator that a committee was sent out to: wait upon him and invite him to address them. Ralph agreed to do so, or at least make the at- tempt, but he would not consent to address them in private meeting. What he had to say, he declared, should be said with open doors or not at all. This was agreed to, and eleven o’clock was the hour set. The news flew through the town—a young en- gineer to address the strikers in } ublic meeting; and everybody and his neighbors, it seemed, set out for the hall where the meeting was to be held. The same committee also waited upon Mr. Jasper and invited him to be present, and as the hour drew near he and Mr. Morgan, with the directors, repair- ed to the hall. ‘ tek a at eleven o’clock Ralph Raymond was othe hall ked. Th é hall was packe ere was barely standing- room on any part of the floor, Ralph had pi tn faced such a crowd in his life. Jn fact, it was his. first attempt at addressing a meeting. Moking a bow, he managed to say—‘ Ladies and gentlemen *’—there were many, women present— but there he faltered and could get no further, His. face flushed, his lips moyed, but no sound came from them, Was the young engineer going to fail in his attempt? It was a feietble moment. and ah who understood the cause, which was what is popu- larly set down as “stage fright,” pitied the young engineer, Just at the critical mcment an old engineer in the- audience sprung to his feet and_exclaimed: “My boy, she’s a-slippin’! Shut off and drop a little sand, and then give ber steam easy-like till she bites! Keep yer left hand onto th’ throttle, and look straight phead. You'll be all right as soon as you get up this little grade. The spell was broken. Ralph turned toward the old man and said: “Thank you, Uncle Mose; I guces she will. pull now. That was a bad spot. I guess somebody soeped the track for me!” ’ This fairly “ brought down the house,” and Ralph soon had full control.of his nerves. “Lacies and gentlemen,”—he began again, and this time he went on successfully. : At first his remarks were not very well connected, nor exactly to the point; but he gained confidence as he proceeded. and in a few minutes had his sub- ject fairly in hand.
Page 14
= each other; we must be friends Rtg re ee ec mane We 14 And he soon had his audience listening to his every word with rapt attention. As aspeaker he was a success, This is not the place to repeat his speech; in truth, itisforeign to the interest of our story; but we must add that it was one of the most powerful arguments that audience had ever listened to on the relations of capital and labor. The laborers, the eapitalists, the old and the young, alllistened as they had never listened before, and when Ralph bowed and stepped down from the plat- form, after a full hour's speech, the hall rung with cheers for the young engineer. Mr. Jasper stepped instantly before the audience, avd as soon as he could make himself heard, said: “If the employees of the M. C. & O, Railroad will go at once into secret session, and appoint a com- mittee to wait upon meat the hotel, am sure our differences can be settled. The situation has just been set forth as neither you nor we could have ex- plained it. We must not be antagonistic tow ard our welfare and ours demand it.” “Three cheers for Redlight Ralph!” was the ery, and they were given with a will. ‘And three more for President Jasper!’’ and again did the walls tremble. No speech had ever created half the excitement and enthusiasm in that town before. Right after dinner a committee from the strikers waited upon the president. ** We are instructed to say,” said the chairman of the committee, as soon as they were formally re- ceived, “that. although our demand was a just one, we are willing, in view of the sad work of last night, to return to work at our old rate of wages if, at the end of three months, you will advance us to one- half the increase we first demanded.” “Spoken like men!’ exclaimed the president. And then he added: y % But those terms are not quite satisfactory to us, Dark clouds settled upon every face in an instant. “No,” Mr. Jasper repeated, “they are not quite satisfactory to us. We are willing to grant an ad- vance ut once, an advance to half of what you first demanded. Is ¢ii« sati factory?” “Tr is!” was the quick reply, as the faces bright- ened once more, ‘And we thank you, sir,’’ was added, “ This is what we should have agreed upon in the first place,” Mr. Jasper remarked, “That is so,” admitted the chairman of the com- mittee, * but neither of us would have agreed to it.’’ “You are right. We were blind!” “And now,” said the chairman. “in case our terms were accepted by you, we were instructed to say that we, as a body, are willing to remit two days’ pay next month toward bearing the loss of last nizht’s fires, though we were not the cause of the riot directly, so far as we can learn,”’ * That offer,” a Mr. Jasper, ‘‘ we cannot ac- cept. This county will have to indemnify the loss to the company, and the public will have to bear the burden. You who live here will each have to bear your share of it, indirectly. We will lose a reat deal, of course, but the larger portion of the O88 will have to be borne by the tax-paying public.” ““We know it, sir, and we see things in a new light pow. If we had had Redlight Ralph for our leader, this strike would not have been made at all.” **T believe you ” “ Well, sir, do you want us to sign papers of agree- ment?” “No; you keep your word with us and we will jive up to ours. Let us shake hands. man and man, and be friends.” It was anaffecting scene. Silently they all shook hands, and th n the committee took their leave and went back to ampere the result of their conference, Half an hour Jater every man was at his post of duty, and the strike was a’ an end, ‘Redlight Ralph’s name was upon webby Ny lips, ‘and one and all bad a good word to say of him, No, there was one who had not—one whose lips formed his name but to curse him. That one was Lyman Lambert. He, too, had been present at the meeting in the ublic hall, and had smiled with grim satisfaction at ph’s failure to start off like a veteran orator, “The boor!’? he had mentally exclaimed, “ to at- tempt to make a speech when he hasn’t enough words to express his feeble ideas.” But Mr, Lambert soon found his mistake, Ralph dr not only a fluent talker, but a very clear- eaded, intelligent one; and as for words—his vo- cabulary seemed exceedingly precise and express- ive, Po And, as Lyman Lambert listened, he was almost charmed, as he would have been but for the fact that in Ralph he beheld a most formidable rival, and knowing, as he did, how superior Ralph was to him in every way, except in wealth, his face grew purple with suppressed rage and hatred. It was a bitter pill indeed. “Curse him!’ he half-muttered afterward, “he will beat me. He will win old Jasper over, and I shall be set adrift. No! by heavens! he shal not marry that girl! I will ki bim_ before he shall snatch her from me. She is mene.” And he meant what he said. His heart was wholly evil, he was a cowardly fel- low, and in him Ralph had a treacherous enemy. CHAPTER XVI. A RIGHT-HANDER FOR LAMBERT. Asovt two o'clock pe fo Ralph went to the Pesottce, Mr. Jasper and Lyraan Lambert taking tim heir places in the office of the hotel at the same e. Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. SSO. («0050 ——a ek ——r"rre_—_—se Redlight Ralph knew what he was doing when he chose the post-office as his place of concealment: and shadow-duty. He had to wait long and Lapeer Many letters were carried in and dropped into the box, and Ralph, seated where he could pick them up instantly and look at them, and at the same time take notice, through a small hole, of the persons depositing them, kept close and careful watch, At last, about four o'clock, when the crowd at the office was greatest, a short, thick-set, rough-looking man sauntered in, advanced to the box and dropped a letter into it, Ralph caught it up instantly, It was addressed to Mr. Jasper at the hotel, and was marked * in haste.” Throwing the letter back into the box, for of course the postmaster would not have allowed him to take it out; even had he cared to do so, Ralph in- dicated to that official that he had discovered his man, and started out, The rough-looking man was going out of the office, leisurely, and Ralph followed after him. Ralph was not alone. He had chosen five good men, one of whom was his fireman, to stand on guard near the post-office, and when he came out he saw that they were ready to follow him He pointed at once to the man he was following, so that they too might all be able to keep watch of him, ‘and thus they went down the street, the man ahead all unconscious of being followed. The fellow went down the main street for quite a distance, and then turned into cross-street not far from the hall where Ralph had addressed tne strikers. Down that street to the first corner he continued there turned into another street, and finally stopped before a house whose shutters were drawn directly in the rear of the public hall. There were quite a number of ople in the street, and the presence of Redlight Ralph was not likely to cause the fellow any uneasiness. Ralph’s men, except one, were further bebind. The fellow paused, turned up the steps to the front door of the house, and entered. Ralph hardly knew what to do then, having never before had any experience in the detective line, but he knew that everything now depended on him and his men, Stopping at ouce, he turned to the man who was with him, and said: “Tam going into that house, You get the cther boys, and guard the house well. If you hear me fire my revolver, break down the door and rush “ Allright, we'll do it. Don’t be afraid todepend on us. We will stand to you, no matter what comes.” Ralph had noticed that the man had entered without ringing, and apparently without unlocking the door. and from these facts he reasoned that the door must be unlocked. He walked up the steps, and was just in the act of putting out his hand to try the door, when some- thing fell with a slight noise upon the steps behind him, Instantly he turned to learn what it was, and dis- covered a woman’s bracelet. Picking it up, he recognized it at once as belong- ing to Jeanne Jasper, and glanced upward at the windows. At one window, one at the top story of the house and directiy over the stoop, he saw. @ small white hand sticking out from between the blinds of the shutter. Was it Jeanne? Tapping the bracelet with his finger, and then inting up, Ralph tried to ask by signs if the brace- et belonged to the one whose hand he saw. Instantly the hand waved the signal—"' yes.” Ralph’s five men were by this time all at the cor ner, and he motioned for them to apres, When his men came up Ralph directed one of them to go for policemen, and then motioned the other to follow him, All of them were armed, Ralph tried the door carefully, found it unlocked, and entered silently, the others at his heels. Loud voices were heard in a. room at the rear of the hall. * Go te that door, silently,” Ralph directed, “and guard it with your revolvers while I go up-stairs.”’ The men obeyed, and Ralph ascended the stairs. Tt was an unfurnished house, and the utmost care had to be observed not to make a noise, | Up and up the young engineer went, until he reached the top floor, and then he advanced to a door at the front end of the upper hall, : There was a key in the lock, and turning it, Ralph threw open the door. There, on a chair near the window. sat Jeanne Jasper. her arms tied at her sides, leaving only the forearms free; a gag was in her mouth, to event her from calling for help, and she was bound to the chair, which was the only piece of furniture the room contained. “Thank Heaven I have found you!” exclaimed Ralph, in a whisper, as he sprung to her side and re- lease ber arms and removed the cruel gag. © Oh! 1 kvew you would come!” the poor girl cried, as she threw herself upon his breast, weep- ing. “i knew you would find me, and i have wait- ed, oh! so patiently! for your coming.’ “Yes, IT have found Zou and now I must hasten to take yon to the hotel, Have you been bound in that cruel position all day?” “No, not allday. I was kept in a rear room all the forenoon, and oh! Ralph! I heard your speech to the strikers, every word! and I love you—d love you! Your voice came to me through an open window at the rear of the hall.” Ralph blushed, but he pressed the girl to him and showered her face with kisses. “| may never be able to win your hand, Jeanne, he said, “but I love you, and life without you will bea blank to me. I, a poor engineer, to aspire to the hand of the daughter of a millionaire— No, no- it is impossible, I dare not ask it. Would to God that you were as poor as Ii” “Té is not impossible! Jeanne cried. “I am yours—yours from this hour, if you will have it so.” “No, no, that would be dishonorable of me, Jeanne, | will wait and work to win you.” They were suddenly interrupted. In their excitement they had droppea their feed ed tones, and the sound of their voices had pene- trated to the room below. ‘A door was heard to open, and then instantly came loud voices. some in curses, others in command. Stop: Throw up your hands, or you are dead men.” Such was the command of the railroad men. ‘Pardon me,” said Ralph, as he drew his revol- ver and sprung to the door, “ but I must assist my men. 1 will return for you in a moment.’ Down the stairs he ran, taking in three and four steps ‘at every stride, ana: in a moment was at the scene of action. The moment the men in the room had flung open the door, the railroad men met them face to face with ready revolvers, and pressed forward into the room, holding the rascals at bay. “You dogs!’ cried Ralph, * you deserve te die 1a ied tracks! Secure their hands, Dan, every one or them.’ The fireman obeyed, and while he was at work the fifth man entered with two policemen and the pris: oners were turned over to them. Jeanne Jasper had followed Ratph down, ana now he took her arm in his and conducted her from the yet and to the hotel, entering by way of the office. Lyman Lambert and Mr. Jasper were still op duty there. “Saved! thank God: cried Mr, Jasper, and he rushed forward and clasped his daughter to his heart. Then turning to Ralph, be said: “Ralph Raymond, L owe you more than T can ever pay. You shall be rewarded.” Ana then he led Jeanne from the room. — Lyman Lambert was white with rage, and was fairly beside himself, Taking a quick stride across the room, he stepped before Ralph and gave him w stinging slap in the face, exclaiming: Do you know what ‘hat means, you lout?” Ralph's reply was instantaneous and to the point. It was a li hening-like blow straight from the shoul- der, and Lyman Lambert was lifted from his feet and hurled backward into a corner, where he fell senseless to the floor. ‘ The next moment a servant came ana said thas Mr and Mrs Jasper desired to see Ralph Raymon% in their room. CHAPTER XVII. LYMAN LAMBER'T’S REVENGE. Repuieut Ratew followed the servant up te Mr, Jasper’s room, and when he was admitted he found himself in the presence of Mr, Jasper, Mrs. Jasper. and Jeanne. - “Mr. Raymond,” said Mr, Jasper, “ Mrs. Jasper desired me to thank you personally for the zreat ser: vice you have rendered us.”’ Ralpb bowed. “Yes,” said Mrs, Jasper. ‘1 desire to thank yor: personally, To you we owe a debi of gratitude we can never repay. But, what is the matter with your hand? It is bleeding!” Ralph looked. and, true enough, his right hand was bleeding Bag It being benumbed by the blow he had given Lymar Lambert, he bad not felt the blood. Quickly applying his handkerchief to it, he said: TI was not aware of it. Pardon me,I received @ slap inthe face a@ moment ago, and no doubt cub my hand in returning the compliment.” *Heavens!” gasped Mrs, Jasper, “whe was it struck you? Who was the wretch, after all you have done?” **Tt was Mr. Lyman Lambert.” Mr, and Mrs. Jasper were astounded and ° less, but Jeanne clapped her hands with girlish glee and c : “ Good! good! He has shown himself in his true tere eal and has got what he deserves. lam glad of it. * Jeanne, Jeanne,” said Mrs. Jasper re rovingly, ‘remember he is your intended doeband.” . Jeanne laughed merrily. ‘ “Do you think I would marry htm ?” she cried ; ‘never’ He isa brute and a coward, and I despise eg on gh iA right!” laimed Mx * An heavens you are Tig exclaim be Jasper 0°, He is no ciel like his father was tham day is like night. 1 have been finding him out of late, but still] hoped that my suspicions were uR- ounded.” “Thank you, papa, toank youl” and Jeanne caught her fat er’s hand in hers. * You know I never consented to marry Lyman Lambert; J was silent on the suvject. I did not wish openly to © pose your wishes, bu® 1 was determined never t marry him What cared I for his wealth, when my heart was already given tu another?” “Your heart given to another!” cried the parents together; “ to whom?” “To Ralph Raymond,” Jeanne answered, and leaving ber father she stepped to Raiph’s side, quickly addi ng: , Yes, Llove him, and he loves me, He is poor, and would never, for that reason, have asked you: oh ' y — . oe Shes ou , 4 +t PA ol} os ya ke ‘a i ae ‘A vi i re fay \ ort ‘ py ie Re ~~ ie im: 4 es om * Df * ' VR £ 4 . De on py? ; ‘hs a: —e ° * cs; im 7, i a, 2 r 1 eal ib t a a ry: ag w . &e “a " ’ i 4 tal ‘é Boy “the P ny vy] a ‘ =a My = RE! : 7a e . oe am wi i : ee, ~ a ae BS a +98 ,' . Sic) i a) me {iy . ‘e a. <9 “3 fom a+ thee My Ad =, * or. * ths +7 J » a a . ; A soy s ee Bie, v-i@ m+ : is “as ne
Page 15
¥ om gE La Ss ee for my hand. I ask it for him. Oh! papa and mamma, give us your consent and make us both happy. i Mr. Jasper stood pale and trembling; Mrs. Jasper sunk down upon a chair, weeping. What their thoughts were we will not attempt to guess, Ralph was the first to speak. He took Jeanne’s hand in his, held it firmly, and said: “Mr. Jasper, and you Mrs. Jasper, it is all true. thousin from my lips you would never have learne my—our—secret unt.1I had gained a position plac- ing me nearer to your daughter’s station in life. Now that the truth is made known, however, I ask your co sent—not to an immediate marriage, for we are both young and can wait: but to our union at some future day, when I shall have raised myself. to a higher station in hfe.” Mr. Jasper turned to his wife and asked: 6 vg’ are you willing to have our Jeanne marry Ralph Raymond?” “Yes,” Mrs. Jasper answered, between her sobs, “Tam, but not at present.” “No, not: t present,” Mr, Jasper agreed, and then turning again to Ralph, he answered: ‘Ralph Raymond, you have our consent. old are you?” ‘*T am not quite twenty,” Ralph answered. How come to m3 again. In the mean time attend strictly to duty. Go on as you have begun, and you are bound torise. Between you and Lyman Lambert it has been, it seems, a money; and let me teil you that manhood is the better possession of the two.” “Thank you!” said Ralph, his voice trembling with emotion; “I shall strive toretain your good- will, and make myself worthy of your daughter,” And turning to Jeanne he caught her to his breast and kissed her, Jeanne returned his caress, and then the next mo- ment flew to embrace her father and mother. Redlight Ralph had won his bride! Later in the day a special train was got ready, and the party started on their return to Mansfield. two coffins containing the bodies of the dead director and brakeman, It was not the same joyous party that set out from Mansfield on the previous night. In fact not more | than half were returning, for the injured—Mr. Howell and the two ladies—had to remain at Oakvale, and others remained with them. : | dashe “Very well. At the end of three years you may | ni Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 15 Several trains passed, but by consulting their | conductor had not been idle, for they had written watches the two rascals were able to calculate about when Ralph would come along, and so other trains were not molested. At last the time drew near for Ralph to be coming, re “teeeabed the whistle of the ** Quickstep’? was eard. Then the villains lighted their redlight and pre- pared for their heinous deed. The moment Ralph came around a curve some | distance away he caught sight of the réedlight, and at once whistled ‘‘ brakes,’’ and then brought his engine to a stop a short distance from where the redlight stood. Before he had quite stopped, though, Daws and Given had sprung aboard, and ere the engineer or fireman were aware of their presence, they received blows which knecked them senseless. There were a conductor and one brakeman in the car. but the engine was cut loose from that at once, and the car was left standing there, After cutting off the car, the engine was run ahead some distance and then stopped. Then the fireman was taken off and laid along the fence by the side of the road, and Ralph was bound hend and foot, Then Daws got off, and Given, first pulling the throttle wide open, jumped off after him. Away the engine flew, and in a few moments it past the Cranston station like a bolt of light- ng. “What train is that?’ Lyman Lambert calmly asked, es he sat in the office quietly puffing away at | a fragrant cigar. ght of manhood against | ‘Heavens!’ cried the operator ia alarm, ‘‘I do not know; but there is a freight-train coming only a | short distance away, and there will surely be a col- lision!”” What could save Ralph Raymond now? CHAPTER XVIII. REDLIGHT RALPH’S VICTORY. REDLIGHT RALPH was certainly in great danger, and unless some friendly hand interposed, he was surely doomed, A freight-train was coming less than two miles | away, having the right of road, and, as the Cranston j ; : | operator had exclaimed, a collision seemed certain he train consisted of two cars, and in one were to follow, And Ralph was fully alive to his danger now. He | was beginning to return to consciousness when the The return oh was made without incident worthy | of mention, ant i into the Mansfield station, When the party alighted from the cars they | aused at the engine 2 moment to bid good-night to alph, and then sought their homes, Lyman Lambert, though, slunk out of the station alone and unnoticed. : Som» nights later Redlight Ralph was ordered to to Cranston, with a special car, and bring Mr. go Re to Mansfield. The explavation was that he, Lambert, had missed the last regrin, ~in irom that place, and must reach home that night; and he had been particular in ordering that Ralph Raymond should be the one to run him through. . Ralph left Mansfield about eleven-thirty at night and lost-no time on the road, but rushed forwarc toward his destination about as fast as he could go, And now to show the villainy there was at work, and the danger he was in. The reader will recall the names of Jack Daws and Giles Given, who were the conductor and engineer, respectively, of the stock-train with which Ralph came so near colliding on that memorable night, These two men were friends of Lyman Lambert's, and had been given their positions through his favor, They, were promptly discharged by Mr. Morgan, after their wild work of that night, and aS soon as possible they called upon Mr, Lambert to help them to another job. They were just the men Lambert wanted to assist ae 2 carrying out @ heinous idea bis evil brain had ound. in due time Ralph’s engine pulled | engine was startéd, and when it flashed past the Cranston-station he realized his danger. And now, too, he understood the whole vile plot, He had wondered not a little why Lyman Lambert should desire #/m to run his special train, and now he knew, Vainly he tugged and pulled at his bonds. They were secure. He was alone, helpless, doome/. A cold perspiration broke out upon his face; his whole life passed before himin a moment; and in his hor- ror and despair he became almost mad, But it was not of long duration. Even while the engine was approaching and pass- ing the station, a dark form was passing along the running-board on the left-hand side. and in a mo- ment more a boyish form encered the cab. A boy it was! Quickly he sprung to the throttle and shut off steam, and then applied the “air.”’ What had been an age of horror to Ralph, had in reality been but a moment or two, and now it was | OVeT, He sent them to Cranston, and a few days later he | went there himself to meet them, When they met, Lambert exposed his whole plan | to them, and promised them one thousand dollars | pices + ~ pucine bad mopper ne aprung, neg on the | pot and remained there curled up on the frame He would send word to Mansfield that he had each if they would help him to carry it out. His plan was this: missed the Express-train, and would ask Mr, Morgan to send Ralph up with 2 special car to get him, He would make sure that it was Ralph who was running the engine, and then would send Daws and Given about a mile aboye the Cranston station, to signal the train and stop it, and then they were to seize Salph, bind him fast, and start the engine off at full speed. It would be certain to collide with some train, ana then Ralph Raymond would be removed from his path forever, And no blame could fall upon him. He could rove by the operator at Cranston that he had been n the office all the time, and no suspicion would be formed against him, And his plan worked admirably. As soon as he received word from Mansfield that the special had started, with Ralph as its engineer, he communicated the fact to his two hirelings, by a prearranged signal, and then sat down to await the | result. oem perigee to a place about a mile from e station, an ere waited to signal the engine when it came. os et ** God bless you, whoever you are!’ he exclaimed. “a Rane free iny hands and feet, for we are in dead- y peril” the boy quickly obeyed, and Ralph sprung up, reversed the engine, and started back toward the station. ; ‘*Boy,” he said, then, “you have saved my life. Who are you?” **T am the ex-operator at Cranston—the one who let train No. 9 get away the other night,” was the reply; and as he spoke the boy moved to where the ligLt from the gauge-lamp fell upon his face. “God bless you!” Ralph exclaimed agains *“ give me your hand!" and he pressed the boy’s hand vee The boy’s story was soon told. Being out of work, he had been idling around the station, and had overheard the plotting of Lyman Lambert and his hirelings, and resolved to balk their game, He had watched Daws and Given, and followed them to the scene of their evil work, andas until the engine had passed the station, when he hastened into the cab as shown. But for him Ralph would have met a certain and | horrible death. Ralph did not stop at the station, but ran right back to where the car had been left. There he found his fireman and the conductor, both almost wild from suspense; and further away was the brakeman, doing “flag” duty. The engine and car were quickly coupled, the ‘flag’ was “whistled in,” and then the special train ran on to the Cranston station, where the freigh:-train which Ralph would have met had he gone on, had just arrived. Ralph had cautioned the others not to say a word concerning what had happened, and he turned his engine, took water, and made readv for the return trip as calmly as though mouiing had happened, When he was ready to return he pulled up to the Station, he and the conductor got their ondera, and the conductor notified Mr. Lambert that they were ready That rascal, pale and apprehensive, took his plaee in the car, and the train started. as they had been, however, Ralph and the lengthy telegrams. explaining the affair in full, and these, at the last moment, one given to the operator to be sent to the superintendent after the train had gone, When the train arrived at Mansfield two pojlice- men were at hand, and, much to Mr. Lyman Lam- bert’s surprise and dismay, they made him their prisoner. At first he attempted to bully and bluster, but he — realized that he had ‘‘put his foot into it” badly. He was locked up at once. Mr. Morgan had telerraped to the police at Crans- ton, too, and befcra morning came word was re- ecived that Jack Daws and Giles Given had been captured. And now our story draws to its ending. Lyman Lambert would have been severely dealt with by the law. bad he not cerried his case to a higher Tribunal by committing suicide, like the coward he was Tim Flinn was hanged, as he deserved, for his crime, and Jack Daws and Giles Given were pun- ished severely for theirs, Mr. Howell, the two ladies, and Phil Peters, all recovered from their injuries. The farmer and his soi who had caught and de- livered Tim Fliun to justice, were both rewarded, as were all others to whom reward was due, especi- ally Charlie Chester, the telegraph operator on the Windsor, Haddingdon & Middleburgh Railroad at Hillsdale, who had performed such gallant service in saving the collision of two Express-trains. The other operator, the one who had been the cause of the almost collision, end who had after- ward saved R dlight Ralph, was re-employed, and is to-day one of the best men in the company’s ser- vice. As soon as Mr. Howell was able to attend a meet- ing of the directors. he brovgbt up the subject of the train-order service o! the road, and explained its dangers. as he, after furrher and careful investi- gation, understood them. And tne matter received prompt attention. No train, it was decided, should receive orders to run to any point regardless of a train ‘‘ held” by an operator, in any case where a delay not to exoeed ten minutes would secure the signatures of the conductor and engineer of the op- posing train; but in cases where such orders were found necessary, the operator receiving the order to * old” the opposing train should put 'orpedoes on the rail and his redlights (tw) in position before re- peating his order as ** understood.” This rendered such train-orders almost faultless and entirely safe. About one year after the time of our story, Mr. Morgan resigned his position as superintendent of the road. and Ralph Raymond, much to bis surprise was appointed to succeed him. But he was able to fill the position, and did fill it. with credit to himself and satisfaction to all, aided as he was by Mr. Jasper’s constant help and advice, One of his first official acts. after his promotion, was to advance Dan Dawson to the position he had just vacated as engineer of the “* Quickstep.” And Dan holds trat position to-day. Phil Peters, poor fellow! is dead, but he is not for- gotten, and many are the reminiscences told of him when, on cold winter nights his old comrades gatber about the stove in the round-house to pass a pleas- ant hour in telling stories of the rail. Two years after his promotion Ralph again asked Mr. Jasper for Jeanne’s hand in n arriage, and a few months later there was a wedding. Two years more have passed since then, and now Ralph Raymond, twenty five years of age, is general manager of the road on which he began his career as fireman. Horace Humphrey, the former dispatcher, is now superintendent. cnd Clark Conrad, who will be re- membered by the reader as the dispatcher’s opera- tor at Mansfield, is now dispatcher. Jeanne is proud of her noble young husband, and, none the less so of her little boy who bears his father’s name. nd the grand-parents, they are proud of them all! _ ; The M. C. & O. Railroad is to-day one of the most happy and prosperous little roads in theland, There employers and employees work shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand for the common good of all. And there Ralph Raymond holds the reins. He cares nothing for the “ dignity ” of his Soanaie: and noth- ing pleases him more than to put on his overalls and jumper and take his old par upon the foot- board of the “ Quickstep,” which he not infrequent- ly does. There he is “at home,” and still clings to him his old name of * Redlight Ralph,” THE END. Beatle’s Half-Dime Library, BY J. ©. COWPRICK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery, BEY Shasta, the scold befor g or, For Seven Venus Bead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without @ 424 Clbuta Johns or, Red-Mot T mes at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, AG7Z Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. A New Issue Every Tuesday The Half-Dime Library 1c for sale by ait newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 Willtam Street, New York
Page 16
2 2S _ Qe Sem oe ee sale BEADLE'S* HALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Dendwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers ¢ or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. B85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. AY Omaha OIL; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5> 4 Ge -_= ret. or, The Réad Queen. ‘oll-Taker. the Iton-Nerved at , the Slenths of P fIadelphia. d Face of Daggersville. 88 88 4 an gs Plect-Ol 8 3 Yreka dim, the e. 7 ka Jim’s Prize. +t yee Ned}; or, The Secret of Slab City. $R2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. B85 Yreka Jim’s Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nose. B89 Bicycle m3 or. The Lion of Lightning Lode. 894 Yreka mof Yuba Dam. Wrinkles, the Night-Wateh Detective. Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective. Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. ak and Pal, Private Detectives. e Sal, the Slasher. the Sparkler. The Lottery of BY ALBERT W. AIKEN. 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes of a Bowery Girl. 26 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. Sol Ginger, the Giant Trappe. ; k of Angels and His Boy Pard. k Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, tnnd Nick or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. » Nick, the Cireus Prince. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. The Flying Yankee j or, The Ocean Outcast. Ralph Roy, the Boy Bucean.er; or The Fugitive Yacht. 4 Diamond Dirk} or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 2 The Shadow Ship: or, The I | Lieutenants. The Boy Duelist; o, The Cr of the Sea-Wolf, Dick Dend-Eye, the Boy Sin er. The Sea-Devils or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. The Mussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. See SIA an | 204 Gold Plume}; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins. 2 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer. Crimson Kate 3 or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 4b Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir, 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccareer. 264 ape Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 merte Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Dy ip. 2280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirave’s Bride, 284 The Seca Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge, 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. $04 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shet Dandy’s Double. 814 ahe Mysterious Marauder} or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. 877 Ronodel, the Boy Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner. BS8 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. B87 Warpath WIL, the Boy Phantom. p++ | ee ng heey Lieutenant. xodor, the Young Conapirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. = 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. A429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Marty 3 or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will; or, The Boy Ferret o New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Aflonts or, Wizard Will’s Last Case. ASZ Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 49% Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy 3 or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 50? The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BILL, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin, BY CHARLES MORRIS. 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete}; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero iu Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoron hbred. 152 Black bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. BT? Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy, 162 Will Wildfire in the Woods, 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. | 170 A ‘Trump Card; oF, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 174 Bob Rockett; o, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Kunner, 188 The Hidden Hand} or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 487 Fred Malyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. " 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Chareoal the Premium Darky. 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The I'wo * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in oat 262 The Young Sléuths; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’« Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 e Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. B05 -; eaaanatde of Dakota} or, A Western Lad tn the Quaker ity. y. 824 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. Wide-Awnke Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. , the Leveler3 or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 6 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive, Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Raeket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman; o, Too Sharp for the Sharper, BY JOSEPH FE. BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack 3 or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Roel-Agent; or. The Ontlaw’s Retreat, 65 Harricane Till; ‘or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam 5 or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-liawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Bey Sport. bi Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Reseue. 60 The Black Glant so Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 6 Deadly Daah or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 84 The Roy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 08 The Boy Pards; or Dainty Lance Unmasks. 11 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City, 10 The Barranca Wolfs or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider} or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. B85 Old Double Fists or, lhe Strange Guide. B55 The King of the ods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail. 4419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective, BY EDWARD §, ELLIS. 151 160 168 He ait 8 Bill Biddon, Trapper. Seth Jones ; or, The Captives of the Frontier. 10 Nat Todd { or, The Fate of the Sioux Capaves | The Frontier Angel. 8 The Boy Miners: or, The Enchanted Island. 2 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, The Half-Blood 3 or, Th Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Stein Prairie Man. Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy : or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Inknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood ¢ or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado ; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY OLL COOMES. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knlfey the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger, BS The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 pewh-ere Harry, the Young Trapper R nger. &8 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 168 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Pros ect Pete ;_or, The adne Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; or, ‘Irspper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Dixguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairle Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. ; A177 Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yell: wetone. 444 Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 467 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. A78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. BY T, ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. AZ Nightingale Rat} or, Toe Forest Captains. 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trail. 82 iy Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jneck 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 1 Slow y the White Mustanger. ‘Jr.i. or, The Bey Visiante, bd Gel pert or, The Girl Avenger. 69 Tornado Lom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, & Ned Temple, the Border Boy. & Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. the Boy Gold Hunter. lets or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 3 or. Rosa, the Re: Jezebel. The Roughs of the Rockies. net the King-Pin of Bowie. cin etective, 3 or, The Buckskin Deaperadoes. The Bowie Blade of Cochetopa. 294 D M The Trigger Bar Bully. 802 T 6 Old Eclipse, 7 ar' 30 Indian Detective. i he B cenneer’s Girl Foe. win Champions of Bloe Blazes. ‘The Rose of Ranchi Robin. & i Red Rolfe’s Piyeon. a? s The Last Man of Keno Bar, Felix Fox’s Hunt, The Washington Spotter, Par picks Jo Pierce, = ne askin R am. 4 Broadway Bil , Cowdrick, BRT Old Buckeye, the Sierra Sleath. Os' BSS Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. By BSe Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas. By By C 3 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio. By ‘olonod Prentiss Ingraham. bat deft Elcker, the Btable Roy, Detestte aewey Jo Pierce, b e Canyon Pards. y ericx : bte Dodger Dick’a Dotible. , By T. C- Harbangh. &44 Deadwood Dick, Jr, the Wild West Vidocq. By Edware- L. Wheeler. 4 B45 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. By Col. P. Ingraham. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. By Lieut. A, he Sims. Ready January 10. BA? Sandy Andys or, A Good Man Down. By P.S, Warne. Ready January 17. 548 Mart, the Night Expres Detective. Ry J. C, Cowdrick. Ready January 24 549 Capt. Crimson Cowl, the Road Raider, By E. L. Wheeler. Ready Jannary 31. wo ' ‘ y acy? or. The &venging Son. By Col. Preutise ave ment or easy Fibrurary 4. 4 , A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Pime Library is for sale by ail newsdealers, five eenta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publisher®, — 98 William Street, New Yorks