Run ahead, and tell the engineer
what I say." But the engineer bluntly refused to let me on, saying:
"It don't matter what the conductor told you. _I_ say you can't ride
on my engine."
By this time the conductor, standing ready to start his train, was
watching to see what luck I had, and when he saw me returning came
ahead to meet me.
"The engineer won't let me on," I reported.
"Won't he?" said the kind conductor. "Oh! I guess he will. You come
down with me." And so he actually took the time and patience to walk
the length of that long train to get me on to the engine.
"Charlie," said he, addressing the engineer, "don't you ever take a
passenger?"
"Very seldom," he replied.
"Anyhow, I wish you would take this young man on. He has the strangest
machines in the baggage-car I ever saw in my life. I believe he could
make a locomotive. He wants to see the engine running. Let him on."
Then in a low whisper he told me to jump on, which I did gladly, the
engineer offering neither encouragement nor objection.
As soon as the train was started, the engineer asked what the "strange
thing" the conductor spoke of really was.
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