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

had no, acted like fools in the matter. be
cause James headed the subscription llst u
purchase On engine, you, Richard and 20
seph, opposed il; and 80 the scheme 'e'
through"
The brothers felt the rebuke. but no 70
ply escaped their lips.
At that moment thcre arose an alarming
cry on the other side Of the church. Rich
ard drove down the South road.
aDeacon Smiths house Is afirc!' ex'
claimed Joseph.
This was true. Deacon Smiths house
situated on the opposite side Of the road
from the church, had been lighted from the
great fire aud now the piazza was all in
flames
"Drivc the horse under my she'd" cried
James, F. and We will so together to help
save Smiths house."
James shed and house were close by
on the same side Of the road with Deacon
Smiths but not SO near the church.
The brothers Ieaped to tho ground. While
Richard was fastening the terrified horse to
the post, James cast an anxious eye up
ward at The roof OF his own house. He
started, and turned pale.
"What is that ?" le cried.
aFire 2" exclaimed Joseph.
Il was on the farther side OF the root.
James ran around the house, followed by
Joseph. II took but an instant to see what
was the trouble. Some blazing combusti
bic had fallen from the church upon the
dry shingles, which were now all In a
blaze!
But to reach the roof seemed impossible
The housekccpcr had gone out somewhere
to spend the "Fourh," and the doors
were all locked. In vain did James shout
for help ut the top Of his voice; the fro OH
Deacon Smiths house had drawn every
body In that direction. Joseph saw but
one way Of getting at tho roof; to burst
through the window, and ascend by the
stairs to the scuttle.
Joseph smashed sash and pane with an
axe. He was already inside, when james
bethought him that there was ladder In
his nearest neighbor's yard. To 20 for Il,
and drag II to his own door, seemed the
work OF a moment. But so long and
heavy was Il, that all James strength was
not sufficient TO raise II to tho roof. Thrice
had he assayetl II, when, rs he was about
10 give up in despair assistance came. The
ladder went up In an instant and Richard
stool by his brothers side.
awe must work !" cried Richard. "ln
minute It may he too laie."
The well was near; and down to the
pebby bottom flew the bucket, driven by
Richards strong hand. james ran iOr a
pail, and in an incredible short space oi
time it was filed with water, borne up the
ladder by Richard and placed in the hands
Of Joseph who was standing on the roof.
The burning shingles hissed and steamed,
but still the fire ragged. Another bucket.
-ano,her-druwn by james from the
well, borne up the ladder by Richard, and
thrown upon the roof by Joseph, had been
applied, before the flames were subdued.
Tho united strength Of the brothers had
conquered. What one could not have
done, nor two, perhaps, had been safely
accomplished by three.
Meanwhile tho flames on Deacon Smiths
house had been extinguishcd, and Of the
church nothing was left hut shapeless
heap Of smoking, blazing ruins.
The brothers went together to tho well
to bathe their burning brows after their Ia.
Dor.
" Our task is done, and I am thankful" "
said James, with much feeling. "With
your help, brothers, lave saved my house
our bouse, rather, for Il Is tho old family
mansion. What return can make to you
more than to invite you, cordially to invite
you, TO return to the house Of our father,
aud cheer once moro with your presence
and love the house which has been 30
dreary and empty without YOU" ...
"lacc"pt your kind offer" cried the i'm.
petuous Richard. "As | was the first to
blame, let me be the first to acknowledge
my fault and ask your forgivness, james,
and yours, brother Joseph"
"You have il, Richard" exclaimed the
miller. "And you will forgive inc, am
sure. have been to blame. The waste
waler should have been fixed"
"And ] should not have flown into n
passion about a inntier which proved a
benefit TO my grain uher all for you 70.
member that instead Of drowning or wnsh.
ing away my spring wheat, the ireshet gave
ii a fine stnrt." .H ..
Z" Brothers." interrupted James. " let the
past bury the past. Let what we lave SUI.
fercd in consequence Of neglecting our
fathers dying charge, be remembered only
as lesson for the future. ! feel that to day
the curse sent for our disobedience has
passed away. Everything this evening has
seemed as if designed by Providence to
prove to us ihat-linitcd We arc strong, di.
vided we aro weak"
On the following day, Richard LEFT the
dismal farm llousc to the solo occupancy Of
his tenant, and JOSEPH, quilted The society
of the miller's rude children, TO rcjoin their
younger brother In the family mansion.
They were o0ce more strong -oncc more
happy aud there wns never more thought
Of disunion in their hearts. The old house.
keeper was dcIighted and so had all Mill
brook reason to rejoice, for the first public
net of The brothers aler tho catastrophe we
have described, was to head two subscrip.
ton lists; one to purchase fire engine,
and the other to rebuild the church. Lib.
eul were their donations; and In beautiful
brotherhood were joined their autographs
OH The subscription papers.
Purriso Down PRicEs-'rhere is in the