St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1869-09-10
yAIEDONIAN.
the Auuna FOLKS.
4 COaI Of Fire.

the blood ana uust from MS lace, Wnle
he cast wrathful glances at the retrcating
form of another boy, who was rapidly
disappearing around distant corner.
"IIallo. What's the matter p cried
Uncle Simeon, raising the window by
which he sat, and looking out.
THAT Jim Moore's been pounding me.
lie knocked me down before | knew he
was round, or he'd got the worst Of it"
for Alvin didn't like to own that he
had been whipped in a fair fight,-''but
I'll pay him ior it; see if l don't" he
continued, shaking his head, and with
his determination plainly written on his
face.
80 | would" joined in Uncle Sine
on; land I'll tell you the very best
thing you can do, and my word for it, 1t
will be the last time he ever attempts to
lay rough hands upon YOU
Alvin looked up eagerly, for he longcd
to revenge the insult he had received.
lie knew his mother would have told
him TO pass it by, and forget ii; but
then she couldn't understand the feelings
of a boy who had been whipped, and he
began to think mole Of Uncle Simeon
than ever, because he could both under
stand and sympathize with him.
The very first time you have an OPP
portunity," continued Uncle Simeon,
"iusl drop "A coal OF fire on his head.
The effect will he wonderful, l assure
you"
''Oh, you don't mean it, Uncle Sim
con! Why, never heard OF such a
thing"
Yes, do; and when good time
comes, | will show you how it is done. .
The next day, Alvin spied his antago-
mist coming up the street. His amer
began TO blaze up atresh, and he ran
around to Uncle Simeon's window t,
tell him the object of their designs was
coming, and he wanted is "pay him W
right away"
Uncle Simeon looked out attcntivelv Il
moment then he said, This isn't a
good time, now. I'll keep watch, and |
think, in Il day or two, at least, every
thing will be favorable for the opera
ton
Alvin went away much impressed
with the profound manner of his uncle.
That word ''operation'' sounded rather
OMNIBUS. He really did not wish to do
his comrade any lasting injury, and be-
gan secretly to hope that Uncle Simeon'>
recommended cooperation" wouldn't be
very severe, or burn Jim Moore's head
so that the hair would never grow out
again.
y Few days passed, and late one after
noon, Uncle Simeon came hurridy up
the walk, calling for Alvin. Now is
capital time for applying that coal OF
fire" said he. Jim is down here a
little ways, and every thing is ready
SO. make haste, and we'll have it done
right away" And before Alvin could
make sign of retreat, his uncle had
hold Of hi, arm, and was dragging him
along faster than was really convenient
for him to 20.
Alvin's home was at the edge of the
village and on the bank of beautiful
little stream of water. called, from its
white, sparkling appearance, the Silver,
line. Just below the house, there was
an abrupt bend in the course of the
stream, and a little further on rustic
bridge, once very handsome and useful,
but now broken down in many places,
and, with the exception of a single hor-
izontal beam, scarcely strong enough to
bear the weight of q man upon it. As
Alvin, hurried along by Uncle Simeon,
came III sight of the little old bridge, he
heard a vociferous shouting for help
from some one who was apparently in
great distress and danger,-in great fear,
at least.
There's your man, all ready for the
coal, whispered Uncle Simeon. ''You
see, he is partly under some of the tim
bers of the bridge that have given way,
and Is holding back that heavy piece
with his hands, to keep it from crushing
him. Now, you 20 carefully along and
get at the other end of it; Eli keep at
this end, and when we raise it from
him, the coal will drop. You'll see that
ms face turns very red, as if it burned
pretty bad"
Alvin Glanced at his uncle with sur
prise and satisfaction; then quickly and
carefully scaling the one solid beam of
the bridge that remained, he lifted the
end OF the one which his late comrade
whose strength was fast giving out, was
holding, back from his body AT the
same time, Uncle Simeon raised the 9th
or end, and the captive was free.
Jim Moore now mounted to the beam
where Alvin stood, and when he saw who
was his deliverer, Us Uncle Simeon had
predicted, his face grew very red, fal
redder than literal coal of fire on the
top OF his head would have made it. He