Caboose Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Author:Gertrude Chandler Warner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company
Published: 1966-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

“Thank you,” called Mr. Alden.

Charley watched the car as it turned around and went out of sight. Then he went off through the woods. He had had a wonderful time.

“That boy was right,” the driver said. “I won’t try to catch the train at Springdale, but I’ll go right across to Fairfield.”

They passed through Springdale, and no Little North Freight was in sight.

The car raced along. The driver was going to Fairfield, just as Charley had told him. The driver soon took a different road. He said, “When I tell you, be ready to get out.”

“You bet we will,” said Benny.

“Now!” called the driver. He stopped. The Aldens raced to the station and looked down the track.

“Oh, dear!” said Jessie. “There goes the train. We’ve missed it!” The big caboose was just disappearing around the bend.

“Never mind,” said the driver. “Get right back in the car, and I’ll race it to Oak Hill.”

“Wait!” cried Violet. “The train is backing up! There is Al on the back platform. He sees us.”

“And the conductor, too,” said Henry. “They are both waving.”

Sure enough, the Little North freight was slowly chug-chugging back to the station.

Grandfather paid the driver, and they all waited in a row until the train came to a stop.

Never was a train crew so glad to see passengers. The engineer blew his whistle. The conductor took a deep breath and helped Mr. Alden up the steps. Al looked at Benny and said, “Don’t go off again, young man.”

“No, I never will,” Benny promised.

The Aldens sat down in the big caboose. Jessie washed off Benny’s knee and put on a bandage. Then they all looked at each other. “I’m cold,” said Grandfather.

“I’m cold, too,” said Violet, shivering.

“You all need food,” Al said, going up the ladder. “Remember you haven’t had supper, and it’s eight o’clock.”

Jessie said, “I’ve an idea. Henry, you make some hot cocoa on the stove in the small caboose. Violet and I will use the stove in Number 777. We’ll get up a fine supper in no time.”

Jessie opened a can of chicken and heated it. Violet used potato flakes to make mashed potatoes. The girls opened a big can of cherries for dessert.

What a dinner the Aldens had! It was almost nine o’clock before they were through eating.

“I can see some of us are almost asleep,” said Henry. He winked at Jessie. Benny’s eyes were almost shut. The girls went quietly into the other caboose.

Henry began to help Benny get into bed.

“What about the lower bunk, old man?” said Henry. “Just for one night?”

“OK,” said Benny. That was all he could say. He was fast asleep.

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