The weekly union record., 1864-08-27
Heroism in Humble Life.

servant in England, whose name and
history this employed by fam
lily who had store in the same build
ing. Employed about the place was a
certain almost half-witted lad. The
benevolent master had been prompted
by kindly heart to give the poor lad
something to do. Though weak in in
tellect, he was strong in thews and
muscle !; willing to work, he showed his
gratitude by doing with all readiness
such rough labor as a porter should do.
or running on such errands as he could
clearly understand.
One day he was sent mot very
wisely to the dark store-room to fill,
for the retail business, and empty pow
der canister. He procured candle,
without a candle-stick, and having
lighted it, went on his errand. When
he wished to fill the canister from the
stock In the barrel he was at some loss
what to do with his candle. Utterly
forgetful at the moment of danger of
his task, and seemingly unconscious of
the need of caution, at once to relieve
his hand and to get the most convenient
light for his work, he extemporized
candlestick in rather hazardous mater
lal. Having removed the cover, he
stuck into the loose gunpowder in the
open barrel the lower end of his long
thin candle. Who ever heard of such
candlestick before? By the light so
conveniently close to his work, he
scooped up the black grains with his
palm and pourd them into the canister,
as if they had been so much harmless
sands.
Had Jack at this point taken up the
candle and returned from his errand, it
is probable that nothing more would
have been known about his dangerous
feat, and the peril the place and its in
mates had escaped. The delverance
which was wrought was rendered the
more remarkable by the discovery of
what he had done.
Having, without accident, obtained
the requisite supply, Jack departed
from the chamber with his well filled
canister, without having thought of re-
moving the candle.
For long while he did not remem-
ber his neglect. At last the remem-
brance came, and with it frightful
and convulsive agitation of the half sill
ly lad.
"What can be the matter?' said the
foreman.
"What is all this about !' said the
master.
The more he was asked, the less
Jack seemed able to tell. His limbs
trembled; his face was deadly pale
his eyes were starting with terror. He
was suddenly awoke to a sense Of i'm
pending peril, whilst fear seemed to de
stroy the power of speech.
A maid servant, who was very kind
to Jack, and had great influence over
him, was called to try if she could
solve the mystery, or get the dreadful
secret disclosed. At length, as she
sought to soothe and pursuade him, the
lad pointed in the direction of the store
room, and family, chokingly uttered
the words
''Candlc- powder"
The afternoon errand was at once
called to mind. The threatening dan
ger was in moment pretty well ap-
preciated, though its precise character
was not thoroughly understood. Every
moment was precious : but of all the
men standing by, not one dare volun-
teer to attempt a rescue.
The gentle, quiet woman is sometimes
found to be most determined when her
energies are forcibly called into play.
Whilst the men were stunned or hest
tating, Susan, without saying a word,
volunteered, as 1.-The forlorn hope"
She ran to the store-room, quite aware
that there was great risk, though she
did not thoroughly understand its char
acter till she entered the door of the
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