Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-05-31
HOW WILLIE WATSON WAS SAVED
FROM A FIRE,

seemed almost ore than human, they
sprang up the burning staircascs, across
the cracking floors, to sezs the pan
lc-strlcken tenants, or drag them, al
ready half.suffocatcd, f,om a rcpose
that might soon prove fatal.
A loud warning shout from those
outside told Of some fearful danger,
and speedily ovory ono had fled from
the devoted building, smokc-begrimcd,
scorched, and bruised, but yet in
life.
Nor had they. quilted it ono second
too soon. Scarce had the last one
been received by the sympathizing
crowd, ere the three lower stairs fell
in with trcm mendous crash, and with
renewed vigor the flames darted ups
ward, threatening in very short
space of time, TO ingulf Tho remaining
portion In the smoking ruins.
A hasty council was held, to SEQ if
all had been saved, or ii somo anfor-
tunato beings wero yet in the devoted
house.
All arc saved! No, not all A
woman's voice calls out, "Mrs. Wat>
son ? Is Mra. Watson here"
"Mrs. Watson, who is sLe ?" interro.
gated 3y-standcr.
GA poor widow who earns her liv-
ing by going out to wash, and nurse
the sick"
Mrs. Watson was 10 pass the night
With lady who is worry ill.,. said an
other. She told mo so yesterday
But wherc is Willie, her little boy ?"
Would che not tnke him along
with her ?" inquired member of the
fire. brigade.
"1mpossiblc !" calculated a third fe
male, " she would not take him into a
sick-room. Poor darlingl he must
be in tho ruins STILL"
All eyes wore once moro directed
toward the burning mass, and some
could scarce credit their senses, on
beholding at IN open window in the
upper story, the delicate form of a
child, apparently not moro than four
or five years Of age, habi,ed in q
white night-drcss, his little hands
c!aepcd as if in the attitude of suppl.
cation, but otherwise calm and self
possessed, as if fully prepared to meet
the doom that seemed to await him.
At this moment a woman poorly,
but decently clad, forced her way
through the crowd.
"My boyI my Willie is he saved 2''
she gasped.
No answer was required. Her
eyes turned upon the little figure in
that upper story, and with q wild, de-
spairiEg shriek she spraug forward to
rescue her child or share hls fate.
But strong arms were outstrelc ched
to seize and bear the halffrantic moth.
er from the fearful scene.
The fire-escape was brought close
to tho fire, and several brave men
mounted the ladders, 10 make one last
attempt for the rescue of The child.
Alas! their efforts wero ia vain
tho ladders were too short!
I" A bed Is there feather bed to
bo had 7" cried loud, strong voice,
yes, yes, here is one;" and i'm.
mediately some volunteered their
services in hosting this chance of cs-
cape.
II was difficult and tedious enter
prise, and meanwh bile the fire was ma
King fearful progress. The forked
tongues of famo played around the
window where the child yet stood,
calm, se'f-possossed as ever. Five
minutes more, ard tho liule cotton
night-dress would have proved his
fiery shroud but tho bed was now
arranged. go.
"Comc, now, my brave little fellow"
shouted one Of the men, "4hrow your.
self down on this. Don't be afraid oi
falling we'll catch you" :,
/ At onco the child obeyed Ono mo.
ment his light form lowered 10 the
darkened air, ono moment Of terrible
snspense TO-. the on-looikers below,
then ono long, loud, universal "Hus
fzaW burst fsom every ipl He i,
lsaved t~4'~.i -s'fe-.s<''. =
l .a-s-a- =. -..-~s-s-s,. = Il = ..-,,:@ .
! "Wslb my brave little hero" asked
a strong, rough man; as he hugged
the boy oEhis bosom, weren't You
afraid. in the midst Of that Gre I" .>.,,.
, 30, yes,.I was, for q long time,'
fsaid the boy; "but I remembered
the story mother has often told nie De ol
God saving ths Hebrew children, ON
i -