The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-11-02

ing in the same direction, but with differ
ent parties and when he reflected onthe SAD
change which had taken place IN his family
within tho last year and q hall, he was very
much cast down. ...
"Once, we were as one man In every
thingm thought he. 1--WE were strong
happy, and the world looked upon us with
uncommon respect. Now, since we arc di
viled, we arc blamed by some, scorned by
others. and prosecuted by not few. Peo
ple take advantage Of our weakness 10 pro-
mote selfish ends; and we set them the ex
ample by injuring each other. For the
past year my profits have been mere moth
ing, compared to what they have been here
tofore."
!! The conversation Of his companions arous-
ed James from his reflections The party
walked leisurely TO the auction, and soon
after. the sale commenced.
The Widow Wilson was moro benefited
by patriotism in Millbrook that day, am
afraid. than anybody else. The auction af:
fair was more creditabls to humanity and
more beneficial to society, too, than all the
gun firing, drinking and fighting at the
Trimming ahd all the marching hand.in-
hand, eating cakes and raisins, and hearing
dull speeches at the s.. 8. Celebration.
People bid generously; everything went
up at high figure. James bought horse
Of ninety three dollars, certainly all he was
worth, and "bid of F" a great variety Of 9TH
er articles without much hope Of being
able to dispose of them at profit. Rich.
ard, too, showed his patriotism, for he
bought harness, calf, und some
farming utensils, and Joseph bld of a
chaise.
After the auction sale or venduc, as il
was called. was over, the patriots Of Mill
brook gathered in groups, to discuss politics
and the weather. and to offer vague sur.
misses touching the prosperity Of the nation
and of the widow Wilson: when a cry Of
surprise and wonder called attention to a
glare In the western sky, In the direction OF
the village.
"Fire fire !" exclaimed tho awe.strick- :
en- crowd. ...
The placid groups were in an instant
heaving to and fro In CONSERVATION. Peo-
ple rushed in every direction, and the few
who had come on horseback or in vehicles
made hasty preparations to depart. Each
man seemed to think It was his house which
was burning; ond the utmost confusion pre-.
vailed.
james wis holding the horse he had pur,
chased, and which he was going to lead
home by the halter. The animal was wild ;
he snorted and plunged, and it was with
difficulty james could hold him. The
young man was in state Of great perplex-
ity and alarm. Anxious as he was to fly
10 the fire, he dare not attempt to ride with.
out bride. Just then, Richard hurried
past him. james remembered seeing linn
bid off n harness.
"Brother. for Gods sake!" cried james,
"lend me your blind bride. ! must ride,
for think II is my store Turning"
"The fire Is In the direction of my house"
began the excited Richard.
swell, PUT the bridle on my horse, and
you shall ride behind me-"
"That horse won't carry double" said a
son of the widow Wilson.
"For heavens sake, what shall we do
cried James. "Ah there Is Joseph, he
bid of the chaise. Bother Brother"
Joseph turned.
"Jarnes, Is that YOU? 2" he said hurriedly.
"My mill Is afire, | am sure. Haven't you
a harness for that horse? We might put
him in my chaise and drive to the village
in tenth part Of the time 1t will take ono
to run there while my buildings are burn.
ing"
"Richunl has harness" said james.
| sl,.
no time for parley. In an instant the har.
ness was dragged out o. the shed. and
thrown upon the horse. James and Rich.
nrI buckled the names and girths, while
Joseph wheeled the chaisc out of the barn.
The three brothers worked IN unison as
they had been accustomed to do in days
gone by (; and so we'll did they understand
every movement Of each other that the
horse was harnesscd in the thills with ns-
tonisl,ing despatch, md they were on the
road ns soon as any Of their neighbors, cx.
cepting those who were OF foot.
Richard, with the natuml energy of his
character. took the. reins and drove. Ned
Wilson gave him whip, and away they
few with the speed Of the wind. Trees,
houses and fences flew past them foot pas.
sengers guzed with envy rs they saw them
20 by aud their chnisc was soon tho fore
most vehicle OH the road.
But they arrived at an inpedimcnt; they
wcre obliged to stop. Some drunken patri.
OTIS had deemed 1t u part Of their duty to
roll a large log into the centre Of the road,
where no vehicle could pass on either side.
Joseph and James jumped out but their
united efforts were not sufficient TO move
the log. Richard sprang to assist them,
and the three succeeded in removing the
impediment. What neither one or two
were able to accomplish, was still pructica-
bic for the three united.
Meanwhile. the glare in the sky bright.
ened. Richard lashed The horse and on
they flew again.
Then, as they approached the scene Of
the fro, and saw tho smoke and flames
surge upwards in the dim twilight, anxious
" each looked forward, to ascertain. II pos
sible. what buildings were on fire.
I" Brothers." said Richard, in an agi.
tated voice, "be the fire where 1t may, let
US work together to extinguish It,"
BE It So" replied Joseph, who now
felt certain that Il was his mill. awe
could always accomplish moro 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 Richard's
cheek was flushed, his lip tremulous; 10.
seph 3 brow was pale and thoughtful
"A turn in the road brought them In full
view Of the village. As if with one i'm
pulse tho brothon rose to gaze forward at
the fire. A glow Of light fell upon their
anxious faces. Il was the village church
which was burning. .....
"lt Is too late to save il :" said Richard
with long breath. "See, the roof 10 all
on fre."
At that moment dull sound, like dis.
tant explosion, was heard, A cloud Of
smoke and ashes surged upward and cry
of wonder burst from the awe stricken spec.
tators gathered round the burning building.