Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-07-26
A YOUNG HEROINE.
A Wisconsin Girl Saving the Llvcs Of
Her Little Sisters ana Brothers.

lFrlm the Wisconsin River Pilot
Thomas Vclle and wife, with family
of small children, settled in this county
something more than a year ago, and,
being poor, they, after many hardships,
erected Il small dwelling and cleared
few acres of land, hut they were in the
wilderness, ten miles from neighhors. A
few weeks ago the father and mother
left their family, consisting of u girl aged
~ years. one aged . year., aud Two other
children, aged respectively years and IL
months, on trip To the settlement TO get
COW and bring in some potatoes TO
plant. After the parents had hecn gone
few hOuis the house took iirc, and the
oldest girl Immediately rushed ro the roof
with water, but not being able 10 remove
the shingles she could do nothing to stay
the flames, which ,iRed rapidly, spread
inc on the inside Of the roof, until burst
Ing through they drove her from her
work. The heroic girl now turned her
attention to saving her brothers and sis
tiers. Coming to the door of the building,
she found that the child next to her own
age had got out Of the houfe bringing the
baby with her, but the little threc-year
old had crouched under shaving horse
in the further corner OF the room. There
being no chamber floor, the fire was
dropping from the burning roof between
the Child and tue door, and when asked
to come out Il refused 10 do SO, saying,
Z" l am safe herej the fire don't drop
here"
our little heroine hesitated only mo-
ment, but rushing through the falling
euihcrs brought the little one to safe
place, both having their clothes s)me-
/ what burnt. But now comes the hardest
rart Of tic task before her. Sclntily
/ clothed and with no food she took the
babe in her arms, and with the other
children started upon the trail for the
settlement. After going a few miles she
encountered a rapid stream, swollen by
the spring rains, so that ia lording II the
water came up to her arm-pits. She first
carried the babe across, and then The
little three year old, and lastly half led
half carried, the Old sister through TIE
water to the other bank. Three Times
during the remainder Of the day she
struggled across the swollen streams IN
her way until night set In, the deep forest
surrounding her. Cold, wet, and hungry
she sought place to camp, aud by goot
fortune found an Old camp, LETT by The
Indians. upnn which uhout one half q
the roof still remained. Under thls sh'
placed her little flock and then collected
pine boughs and,made "a rude bed. Placing
the little one In the middle, The hcrOi
girl stripped off her dress and spread
over the children, then covered them viii
boughs to keeI, them from Il" chilly n'l h
air, aud sat down hrsidc them, to wutcl
through that .our, celia rieht, comi' riinl
the rttlc uur Wi,uit cried and -pc.kin.
words of cheer to TIE older uur. Tn
long dreary honts oi night dragged slowl.
by, and a. the fret peep of day she re-
sumcd her tcils9mc march.and had ncdrl,
reached the llrst settler when she net he
parents returning. An older and wise
head might have found an easier way ul
of the dilemma, but we feel ccrlaiD tina
no one could have acted braver or hav
endured more than tue little daughter o
] "a. Nf..tF