Chapter I: Front Matter

THE ROCKET.

THE STORY OF THE STEPHENSONS,

Father and Son.

BY

_H. C. KNIGHT_,

AUTHOR OF "NO GAINS WITHOUT PAINS," ETC.

WITH TWENTY-SIX ENGRAVINGS

London:
T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW.
EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK.

1897

Preface.

A brief book for the boys. God gives you work to do in the world. He gives you honourable work. There is much done that is mean and dishonourable. Depend upon it, _that_ is not His. In the beginning of your work, character grows _out_ of it; as you go on, your character goes _into_ it. Therefore the Bible declares that "God, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work." We judge in the same way. This little book will show you how much the practice of the virtues, the humbler virtues, has to do with making good work.

But keep ever in mind that these virtues, however useful and important for your work in this world, have no _saving_ power in them—they form no plea for the favour of God; the key which unlocks the door of Heaven is not found among them. Like the young man in the Gospel, you may have the loveliness of every natural virtue, and yet be lost.

As sinners in the sight of God, you need the atoning blood of the Redeemer; you need repentance and faith in that blood. Make Jesus Christ, therefore, the corner-stone of your character; on _that foundation build_ your character. Cultivate the graces of the Gospel. Baptize the virtues with your Saviour's love. A noble Christian manhood can only be attained by the slow and steady endeavours of a heart fixed on God, and a hand diligent and delighting in the work He has given it to do.

Contents.

I. LIFE AMONG THE COAL PITS, 9

II. MENDING AND MAKING—LITTLE BOB, 19

III. WHO BEGAN RAILROADS?—"PUFFING BILLY," 30

IV. TWO CITIES THAT WANTED TO GET NEAR EACH
OTHER—A NEW FRIEND, 38

V. HUNTING UP HIS OWN WORK—AN ENTERPRISING
QUAKER—WHAT WAS THE RESULT? 46

VI. THE TWO CITIES TRYING AGAIN—BUGBEARS, 58

VII. GRAPPLING WITH DIFFICULTIES—THE BOG—A
PUZZLE—THE PRIZE OFFER, 72

VIII. ROBERT'S RETURN—A CURIOUS ENCOUNTER—THE
PRIZE ENGINE, 86

IX. OPENING OF THE NEW ROAD—DIFFICULTIES
VANISH—A NEW ERA, 102

X. THE STEPHENSON CENTENARY—HONOUR TO WHOM
HONOUR IS DUE, 121

List of Illustrations.

LOCOMOTIVE AND TENDER, _Frontispiece_

EARLY WORK, 10

A SAFETY LAMP, 11

BIRTHPLACE OF GEORGE STEPHENSON, 12

AT SCHOOL, 17

MENDING THE CLOCK, 21

THE SUN-DIAL, 29

GEORGE STEPHENSON'S FIRST ENGINE, 35

"PUFFING BILLY," 36

THE VISIT TO "PUFFING BILLY," 44

THE TWO STRANGERS, 50

A TALK ABOUT RAILWAYS, 54

SURVEYING AT NIGHT, 63

CHAT MOSS, 74

GOOD SERVICE, 81

A CURIOUS ENCOUNTER, 87

SECTION OF THE FIRST BOILER IN USE, 92

SECTION OF A TUBULAR BOILER, 93

THE FAILURE, 95

TUBES OF A MODERN ENGINE, 96

THE "ROCKET," 97

OPENING THE LINE, 104

WHOLESOME REPROOF, 115

LATER DAYS OF GEORGE STEPHENSON, 116

VICTORIA BRIDGE, MONTREAL, 118

THE ROCKET.