The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-06-16
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horse was harnessed in the thills with as
tonishing despatch, and they were on the
road as soon as any of their neighbois, ex-
cept those on foot ei
Richard, with the natural energy of
his character, took the reins and drove.
Ned Wilson gave him whip, and away
they flew with the speed of the wind.
Trees, houses, fences, few past them foot
passengers gazed on them with envy as
they saw them go by; and the chaise with
them was soon the foremost vehicle on the
village road. ats
But they arrived at an impediment;
they were obliged to stop. Some drunk
en- patriots had deemed it part of their
duty in celebrating the day to roll large
log into the centre of the road, where no
vehicle could pass on either side. g4
Joseph and james jumped out; but
their united efforts were not sufficient to
move the leg Richard sprang to assist
them, and the three succeeded In Temov-
ing the impediment. What neither one
nor two were able to accomplish, was still
practicable for the three united. Mean
while the glare in the sky frightened,
Richard lashed the horse, and on they
flew again. Then, as they approached
the scene of the fire, and saw the smoke
and the flames surge upward in the dim
twilight, anxiously each looked forward
to ascertain, If possible, what buildings
were on fire. N ~
+" Brothers," said Richard in an agitat-
ed voice, "be the Gre where it may, let nm
work together to extinguish il"
'' Be it SO ]" replied Joseph, who now
felt certain that it was his mill. We
could always accomplish more when unit
cd, than when our efforts were divided"
1t is true," added James. But we
have forgotten our fathers dying charge.
We should never have been separated"
His brothers made no answer. Rich
ards cheek was flushed, his lip tremu-
lous; Joseph's brow was pale and
thoughtful.
A turn in the road brought them in full
view of the village. AS if with one inn
pulse the brothers rose to gaze upon tha
fire. A glow of light fell upon their anx-
ious faces. 1t was the village church
which was burning! ua 5
=" 1t is too late to save it" said Rich
ard "See, the roof is all on frei"
At that moment, dull sound, like O
smothered explosion, shook the air. A
cloud ofsmoke and ashes surged upwards,
and cry of wonder burs. from the awe
stricken spectators gathered around the
burning building. The roof had fallen
in; the low belfry had plunged iuto the
burning abyss. @ .
Then with redoubled fury the flames
burst forth. The church was all of wood;
and soon the cracking, blazing clap boards
fell from the glowing timber frame Joists,
braces, and beams, glared in startling re-
lief when the wind which was blowing
strong from the rth, drove back the
outbursting smoke and flame. @
Richard stopt ed the terrified horse at
a short distance from the fire, ON the
north side of the church. @
Chow did the meeting house take firef"
asked Joseph of an old man.
"Some careless boy must have thrown
FIRE cracker through the window" was
the reply. 'But the alarm was given in
season to save the building, if there had
only been ire-engine in the village
And we should have had one year ago"
added the old man sternly, "if yeu three
brothers had not acted like fools in tho
matter. Because James headed the SUBJ
scription list to purchase an engine, you,
Richard and Joseph opposed it; and 90
the scheme fell through" sofse
The brothers felt the rebuke, but no
reply escaped their lips.
At that moment there arose an alarm
ing cry on the other side of the church.
Richard drove down the south road.
"Deacon Smiths house is on fire u"
exclaimed Joseph. G
This was too true Deacon Smiths
house, situated on the opposite side of the
road from the church, had been lighted
by the great fire; and now the piazza was
all in flames. ba gs1ss4
"Drive the horse under my shed, cried
James, "and we Will go together to help
save Smiths house. a8
James shed and house were close by;
on the same side of the road with Dea-
con Smith's but not so near the church.
The brothers leaped to the ground
While Richard was fastening the terrified
horse to the post, James cast an anxious
eye upward at the roof of his own house.
He started and turned pale.
"What is that 2" he cried. a
"Fire!" exclaimed Joseph. M .r
1t was on the further side of the roof.
James ran around the house followed by
Joseph. 1t took but an instant to see
what was the trouble. Some blazing
combustible had fallen from the church
upon the dry shingles, which were now