Speed and Success
"What town is that?"
"Looks like a splotch of paint on a board fence, we went by so quick."
"I've lost count, Bartholomew. Where are we?"
Ned Newton listened to these comments from the visiting railroad men
with delight. In reply to a question of his neighbor, the grinning
financial manager of the Swift Construction Company paid:
"No, sir. That isn't a picket fence. It's the telegraph poles you see,
and they are no nearer together than on another railroad. But we're
going some."
"Bless my railroad stock!" shouted Mr. Damon, "I should say we were."
The electric locomotive and the private car were hurled toward the Pas
Alos Range at a speed that almost frightened some of the guests.
"Three-quarters of an hour!" gasped one man as they began to see the
outskirts of Hammon. "And ninety-six miles? Great Scott, Bartholomew!
that's over two miles a minute!"
"That is the speed we set out to get," Mr. Richard Bartholomew said,
with quite as much pride as though he had done it all himself.
But it had been his suggestion and his money that had accomplished this
wonder. Tom Swift was willing to give the railroad president his share
of the fame.
The train scarcely slackened speed at Hammon, for Tom got the signal
announcing a clear track ahead, and he bucked the grade with all the
power he could get from the feed wires. This hill, so well known to him
now, was surmounted at a slightly decreased speed; but it was a
wonderful display of power after all.
They went down the other side to Panboro and there linked up with an
eastbound freight that the Hercules 0001 snatched over the mountain to
Hammon at a pace slightly exceeding forty-five miles an hour--at least
twice the speed that any two oil-burning locomotives could attain. As
for the Jandels, they were not in the same class at all with Tom
Swift's locomotive!
"Bless my speedometer!" exclaimed Mr. Damon, when the train pulled down
and stopped again at the Hendrickton terminal. "This is the greatest
test of speed and power I ever heard of. Why, a coal burner or an oil
burner isn't in it with this Hercules locomotive! What do you say, Mr.
Bartholomew?"
"I'll say I am satisfied--completely and thoroughly satisfied, Mr.
Damon," said the president of the Hendrickton & Pas Alos Railroad
frankly. "Mr. Swift has fulfilled his contract in every particular."
An hour later the young inventor and his two friends were in conference
with Mr. Bartholomew over a new contract. The bonus of a hundred
thousand dollars would be paid at once to the Swift Construction
Company. But as the elder Swift's name would be needed on the new
contract for the building of other Hercules locomotives, Tom had an
idea.
"We won't send the papers East for father to sign," he said. "I want
him to see the locomotive in real action. And I know where he can
borrow a private car and come out here in comfort. Rad can come with
him."
"Bless my valentines!" ejaculated Mr. Damon, "I bet somebody else will
come too."
Mr. Damon must have been a prophet, for a fortnight later, when the
borrowed car got in to the Hendrickton terminal at the tail of the
transcontinental flyer, Tom Swift saw first of all Mary Nestor's rosy
face on the platform of the car.
"Tom! are you all right?" she cried, beaming down upon the young
inventor.
"No. Half of me is left," he said, grinning up at her. "You look great,
Mary!"
"Do you think so?" she cried, dimpling. "Well, if anybody should ask
you, Mr. Tom Swift, you look very good to me."
"Don't make me swell all up, Mary," he laughed. "How's father?"
"Splendid! And Rad--"
"Eradicate Sampson is sho' 'nough puffectly all right," broke in the
voice of the old colored man, eager to make himself heard and seen.
"Here I is, Massa Tom. What dat lizard doin' here? Ain't he a sight?"
The old man had caught sight of Koku in the wonderful new suit Mr.
Bartholomew had ordered made for the giant. A Navajo blanket had
nothing on that suit for a mixture of colors, and Koku strutted like a
turkey-gobbler.
"My lawsy!" gasped Rad again, "he's as purty as a sunset. Is dat de way
de tailors out here build a man up? Sure's yo live, Massa Tom, I needs
a new suit of clo'es myself."
And before he got away from Hendrickton, Rad Sampson sported a suit off
the same piece of goods as that of Koku's. Otherwise there might have
been a lasting feud between the giant and the Swift's ancient serving
man.
Mr. Barton Swift had stood the easy journey in the private car very
well. Before he would sign the contract that Mr. Bartholomew offered,
he wished to see for himself just how good his son's invention was.
They made another test from Hendrickton to Panboro, over the "official
route," as Ned called it. The time made by Hercules 0001 was even a
little better than before.
That the invention was well nigh perfect, and that it could do even
more than Mr. Bartholomew had hoped or Tom had claimed, was Mr. Swift's
conviction.
"Tom," he said to his son, "you have done a wonderful thing. Not only
have you completed a marvelous invention and gained thereby a lot of
money, and more in prospect, but you have aided in the world's progress
to no small degree.
"Speed in transportation is the big problem before the world of
commerce today. To move goods from point to point safely and cheaply,
as well as rapidly, is the great task of this age. We are entering the
Age of Speed. The railroads must solve the problem to compete with
motor-truck traffic and fast boats on the lakes and rivers of our land.
"You have, by your invention, shoved the clock of progress forward. I
am proud of you, my boy. I know now that, no matter what may happen to
me, you will make an enviable mark in the world of invention.
"You have done much before for the Government in time of stress. But
war engines of any kind are not worthy examples of inventive genius
beside such a thing as this.
"It is the inventions of peace, rather than those of war, that stand
for human progress."
Coming back over the mountain, Mary Nestor rode in the cab with Tom.
She sat on the swivel stool, in fact, and handled the controls for part
of the way. But she gave up the driver's place to Tom before they
reached the timber siding east of Cliff City.
"I cannot go by that place without a shudder," Mary said to the
inventor. "Ned and Mr. Damon told me all about that accident. Suppose
you had been killed, Tom!"
"I see I'll have to build an invention that will make that impossible,"
chuckled the young fellow.
"Make what impossible?"
"Some invention that will make it positively certain that no matter
what I do or where I go, nothing can harm me. Nothing else will suit
you, Mary, I plainly see."
"Well," returned the girl, smiling fondly at him. "I admit that would
satisfy me completely!"
This Isn't ALL!
Would you like to know what became of the good friends you have made in
this book?
Would you like to read other stories continuing their adventures and
experiences, or other books quite as entertaining by the same author?
On the reverse side of the wrapper which comes with this book, you will
find a wonderful list of stories which you can buy at the same store
where you got this book.
Don't throw away the Wrapper
Use it as a handy catalog of the books you want some day to have. But
in case you do mislay it, write to the Publishers for a complete
catalog.
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
Every boy possesses some form of inventive genius. Tom Swift is a
bright, ingenious boy and his inventions and adventures make the most
interesting kind of reading.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS FLYING BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT OIL GUSHER
TOM SWIFT AND HIS CHEST OF SECRETS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRLINE EXPRESS
THE DON STURDY SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
Individual Colored Wrappers and Text illustrations by WALTER S. ROGERS
Every Volume Complete in Itself
In company with his uncles, one a mighty hunter and the other a noted
scientist, Don Sturdy travels far and wide, gaining much useful
knowledge and meeting many thrilling adventures.
DON STURDY ON THE DESERT OF MYSTERY;
Or, Autoing in the Land of the Caravans.
An engrossing tale of the Sahara Desert, of encounters with wild
animals and crafty Arabs.
DON STURDY WITH THE BIG SNAKE HUNTERS;
Or, Lost in the Jungles of the Amazon.
Don's uncle, the hunter, took an order for some of the biggest snakes
to be found in South America--to be delivered alive! The filling of
that order brought keen excitement to the boy.
DON STURDY IN THE TOMBS OF GOLD;
Or, The Old Egyptian's Great Secret.
A fascinating tale of exploration and adventure in the Valley of Kings
in Egypt. Once the whole party became lost in the maze of cavelike
tombs far underground.
DON STURDY ACROSS THE NORTH POLE;
Or, Cast Away in the Land of Ice.
Don and his uncles joined an expedition bound by air across the north
pole. A great polar blizzard nearly wrecks the airship.
DON STURDY IN THE LAND OF VOLCANOES;
Or, The Trail of the Ten Thousand Smokes.
An absorbing tale of adventures among the volcanoes of Alaska in a
territory but recently explored. A story that will make Don dearer to
his readers than ever.
THE RADIO BOYS SERIES (Trademark Registered)
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the "Railroad Series," Etc. Individual Colored Wrappers.
Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.
A new series for boys giving full details of radio work, both in
sending and receiving--telling how small and large amateur sets can be
made and operated, and how some boys got a lot of fun and adventure out
of what they did. Each volume from first to last is so thoroughly
fascinating, so strictly up-to-date and accurate, we feel sure all lads
will peruse them with great delight.
Each volume has a Foreword by Jack Binns, the well-known radio expert.
THE RADIO BOYS' FIRST WIRELESS;
Or, Winning the Ferberton Prize.
THE RADIO BOYS AT OCEAN POINT;
Or, The Messsage That Saved the Ship.
THE RADIO BOYS AT THE SENDING STATION;
Or, Making Good in the Wireless Room.
THE RADIO BOYS AT MOUNTAIN PASS;
Or, The Midnight Call for Assistance.
THE RADIO BOYS TRAILING A VOICE;
Or, Solving a Wireless Mystery.
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE FOREST RANGERS;
Or, The Great Fire on Spruce Mountain.
THE RADIO BOYS WITH THE ICEBERG PATROL;
Or, Making Safe the Ocean Lanes.
RADIO BOYS WITH THE FLOOD FIGHTERS;
Or, Saving the City in the Valley.
THE RAILROAD SERIES
By ALLEN CHAPMAN
Author of the "Radio Boys," Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Illustrated.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
In this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great
American railroad system. There are adventures in abundance--railroad
wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat"
locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on
board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among
railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the
getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the
manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or
ruin.
RALPH OF THE ROUND HOUSE;
Or, Bound to Become a Railroad Man.
RALPH IN THE SWITCH TOWER;
Or, Clearing the Track.
RALPH ON THE ENGINE;
Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited Mail.
RALPH ON THE OVERLAND EXPRESS;
Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young Engineer.
RALPH, THE TRAIN DISPATCHER;
Or, the Mystery of the Pay Car.
RALPH ON THE ARMY TRAIN;
Or, The Young Railroader's Most Daring Exploit.
RALPH ON THE MIDNIGHT FLYER;
Or, The Wreck at Shadow Valley.
RALPH AND THE MISSING MAIL POUCH;
Or, The Stolen Government Bonds.
THE RIDDLE CLUB BOOKS By ALICE DALE HARDY
Individual Colored Wrappers. Attractively Illustrated. Every Volume
Complete in Itself.
Here is as ingenious a series of books for little folks as has ever
appeared since "Alice in Wonderland." The idea of the Riddle books is a
little group of children--three girls and three boys decide to form a
riddle club. Each book is full of the adventures and doings of these
six youngsters, but as an added attraction each book is filled with a
lot of the best riddles you ever heard.
THE RIDDLE CLUB AT HOME
An absorbing tale that all boys and girls will enjoy reading. How the
members of the club fixed up a clubroom in the Larue barn, and how
they, later on, helped solve a most mysterious happening, and how one
of the members won a valuable prize, is told in a manner to please
every young reader.
THE RIDDLE CLUB IN CAMP
The club members went into camp on the edge of a beautiful lake. Here
they had rousing good times swimming, boating and around the campfire.
They fell in with a mysterious old man known as The Hermit of Triangle
Island. Nobody knew his real name or where he came from until the
propounding of a riddle solved these perplexing questions.
THE RIDDLE CLUB THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS
This volume takes in a great number of winter sports, including skating
and sledding and the building of a huge snowman. It also gives the
particulars of how the club treasurer lost the dues entrusted to his
care and what the melting of the great snowman revealed.
THE RIDDLE CLUB AT SUNRISE BEACH
This volume tells how the club journeyed to the seashore and how they
not only kept up their riddles but likewise had good times on the sand
and on the water. Once they got lost in a fog and are marooned on an
island. Here they made a discovery that greatly pleased the folks at
home.
THE HONEY BUNCH BOOKS
By HELEN LOUISE THORNDYKE Individual Colored Wrappers and Text
Illustrations Drawn by
WALTER S. ROGERS
A new line of fascinating tales for little girls. Honey Bunch is a
dainty, thoughtful little girl, and to know her is to take her to your
heart at once.
HONEY BUNCH: JUST A LITTLE GIRL
Happy days at home, helping mamma and the washerlady. And Honey Bunch
helped the house painters too--or thought she did.
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY
What wonderful sights Honey Bunch saw when she went to visit her
cousins in New York! And she got lost in a big hotel and wandered into
a men's convention!
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS ON THE FARM
Can you remember bow the farm looked the first time you visited it? How
big the cows and horses were, and what a roomy place to play in the
barn proved to be?
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST VISIT TO THE SEASHORE
Honey Bunch soon got used to the big waves and thought playing in the
sand great fun. And she visited a merry-go-round, and took part in a
seaside pageant.
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST LITTLE GARDEN
It was great sport to dig and to plant with one's own little garden
tools. But best of all was when Honey Bunch won a prize at the flower
show.
HONEY BUNCH: HER FIRST DAYS IN CAMP
It was a great adventure for Honey Bunch when she journeyed to Camp
Snapdragon. It was wonderful to watch the men erect the tent, and
wonderful to live in it and have good times on the shore and in the
water.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of the "Bobbsey Twins," "Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
Uniform Style of Binding. Individual Colored Wrappers.
Every Volume Complete in Itself.
These tales take in the various adventures participated in by several
bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE;
Or, Camping and Tramping for Fun and Health.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE;
Or, The Stirring Cruise of the Motor Boat Gem.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR;
Or, The Haunted Mansion of Shadow Valley.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP;
Or, Glorious Days on Skates and Ice Boats.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA;
Or, Wintering in the Sunny South.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW;
Or, The Box That Was Found in the Sand.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND;
Or, A Cave and What it Contained.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE;
Or, Doing Their Bit for Uncle Sam.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE;
Or, Doing Their Best For the Soldiers.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT;
Or, A Wreck and A Rescue.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE;
Or, The Hermit of Moonlight Falls.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE;
Or, The Girl Miner of Gold Run.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE;
Or, The Old Maid of the Mountains.
THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD;
Or, Sally Ann of Lighthouse Rock.