Chapter I: Preface

LIGHTNING EXPRESS is the second volume of the LAKE SHORE SERIES, and has been published in Oliver Optic’s Magazine, Our Boys and Girls. The story, like its predecessor, relates to the Lake Shore Railroad, though the war between the rival academies occupies a considerable portion of the book. Waddie Wimpleton and Tommy Toppleton, as they appear in these volumes, are not strangers, in real life, to the writer; and probably all his readers are familiar with similar young gentlemen in their own spheres.

The author has endeavored to keep the moral movement of the story up to the proper standard, and is not afraid that any reasonable young man will like either Tommy or Waddie well enough to imitate their conduct, while he is satisfied that all will be pleased with the moral heroism of Wolf Penniman, and will indorse his views of Christian duty.

HARRISON SQUARE, MASS.,
July 21, 1869.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. PAGE A STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING. 11

CHAPTER II. THE STOCKHOLDERS IN COUNCIL. 22

CHAPTER III. THE PRESIDENT OF THE ROAD. 34

CHAPTER IV. OFF FOR THE CAMP. 45

CHAPTER V. A BREEZY PROSPECT AHEAD. 57

CHAPTER VI. A MISSION OF PEACE. 69

CHAPTER VII. MAJOR TOMMY GETS MAD. 81

CHAPTER VIII. CHARGE BAYONETS! 93

CHAPTER IX. FEATHERS AND THE ENGINEER. 104

CHAPTER X. KEEPING THE PEACE. 116

CHAPTER XI. AT THE HORSE SHOE. 128

CHAPTER XII. UP THE LAKE. 139

CHAPTER XIII. IF THINE ENEMY HUNGER. 150

CHAPTER XIV. COLONEL WIMPLETON BIDS HIGH. 162

CHAPTER XV. THE IMPENDING BATTLE. 174

CHAPTER XVI. THE BATTLE OF THE HORSE SHOE. 186

CHAPTER XVII. THE PRISONER OF WAR. 198

CHAPTER XVIII. RESCUING A PRISONER. 210

CHAPTER XIX. A TYRANNICAL SON. 222

CHAPTER XX. THE LIGHTNING EXPRESS TRAIN. 233

CHAPTER XXI. MAKING UP TIME. 244

CHAPTER XXII. THE NEW FIREMAN. 254

CHAPTER XXIII. THE PRESIDENT AND THE ENGINEER. 266

CHAPTER XXIV. THE PRESIDENT HAS A FALL. 278

CHAPTER XXV. THE PRESIDENT IN TROUBLE. 290

CHAPTER XXVI. THE NEW STEAMER. 300

LIGHTNING EXPRESS;

OR,

THE RIVAL ACADEMIES.