River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-23

Notwithstanding the efforts made /,
overcome 1t, the devouring element wa,
conqueror, and within an hour the great
roof tell with mighty noise, sending a
blaze of light to the very sky and then
the fire died down, the crowd moved
nolsily away, and soon Fred found that he
was almost the only one left in the street
one good look at the ruins and he would
60 too.
Crossing the street, he pushed his way
toward where the house had been. Duh
red Goals, great smoke and charred
tlmoers were all that renamed. As the
boy gazed upon the desolato scene. a cry
came to his ear, a child's cry. lie started
and turned about there il was again I
What could il be !? Moving cautiously
along, the sound became more and more
distinct, until, close underan old shed and
wrapped in rough blanket that smelled
strongly of smoke, Fred found little
baby left there to die. or forgotten by
some half-crazed mother whose shelter
had that night been destroyed The great
heart Of the boy grew tender as he lifted
the ragged bundle in his arms, and with
soothing words to the little waif he turned
at once and started Cor home.
1t had been hard work coming to the
fire through the deep snow, the storm and
the darkness it was doubly hard return.
Ing yet Fred ioundered bravely along
Once or twice he fell, but with an unwav
ering courage rose and pushed on again
AT last the corner was reached which
way should he turn, up or DOWN. lie
debated the matter for some time, bat al
length, growing cold and worried, started
hurriedly off in what no thought was TIE
right direction. Was it right? On, ON,
turning here and there, following, as
nearly Ms he could rememberit, the course
that he had come, the little boy waded
through the night and the snow. But the
streets all looked strange; the great
houses doomed up gloomily on either
hand, the storm grew thicker, aud only
the wild wind answered when he called.
lie had really lost his way!
Crying with terror, staggering through
the drifts, and half frozen with the cold,
Fred KEEP. in motion he must find some
one or he might die How the snow
whirled, and the tall trees swayed and
groaned in the gale Would he never get
home, must he stop here Faster and
faster came his breath, and the little legs
trembled as the drifts grew deeper and
the piercing cold more intense. The baby
did not cry new, but be Rugged the bundle
closer to him to keep il warm, aud tried to
struggle Oh yet the battle was almost
over, and his eyes were growing dim,
when suddenly form appeared before
him, heavy hand fell upon his shoulder,
a grulf voice said, "Whose boy is this,
out sc late at night % and with a cry Of
JOY Fred cast himself upon the friendly
breast and sobbed out his story in the
policeman's ear.
X
When the tale was told next morning t.
papa and mamma around the coy break
tast-table and before glowing fire, j
seemed almost dream but the fair bah,
stranger who drank SO greedily Of th,
fresh milk was proof that it had been
reality.
The child was never claimed but TO
day Fred calls beautiful girl aSister,'
and "Snow-take,s and sometimes tell
the story of how he found her that wild
night when first he ran to fire. FERN.