American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1873-10-04
PAUL DUVAL.
BY JOSIE KEEN.

The district school, in the pretty village
of Carterville, had just closed for the day,
when one of the boys called out to new
conner:
"Hullo Rag-slagsi are your knees get
ting ready to take an airing? ~
An angry flush suffused the face of the
poor boy thus rudely addressed, and he
clenched his hand as though ready to
strike the unkind speaker. But better
thoughts prevailed, and he walked silent
1y on.
"Well done, if that fellow is not poor,
cOwardly sneak! Just see, James, he don't
dare answer me back"
"That's so, Fred! | should like to know
what sort of stuff he is made of. Stir him
up again, if you CAM"
"Say, yOungster, who is your tailor?
Your coat is such splendid fit 1 should
like to patrOnize him"
Paul Duval stopped, turned round and
faced the taunting boys.
"My clothes are indeed shabby, but they
are not ragged. And it is you who are
mean, and cowardly, to make fun of my
poor garments"
Say that again, if you dare, master
Sam Patch! You had just better dare
call me mean, or cowardly either, and
you'll see what you will getr'
Paul made no reply, but fastened on:
nance.
"ThereI" exclaimed James, 81 knew
there was not particle of spirit in the
fellow. Just see him scud off, afraid to
answer YOU"
well, let him gol He is not worth
teasing. For my part. l can't imagine
why he came here, But all sorts of fel-
lows are allowed to enter district school,
that is the worst of it."
"And, Fred, as it hurts your pride to
come in contact with plebian charac-
tiers, l suppose that's the reason you taunt
them on the start and compel them after
wards to give you wide berth ?"
Fred Granger made no reply. He
merely shrugged his shoulders and laugh
ed, as though his companions words were
a compliment to his sagacity.
1t was a dark, cloudy night The wind
blew in gusts, rafting shutters, and loose
windows, SO many one startled from
sound sleep. Hank! Are not the bells
ringing2 And is there not IA cry of fire,
fire, echoing through the streets?
Paul Duval hears it, starts up, and
quickly arrays himself in his well-worn
clothes.
80, my sonr called out his mother,
you surely are not going out in this
Storm ?"
"Yes, mother. twill need many hands
and quick work to save property this
windy night"
But, Paul, you will be in more danger
of getting hurt; and then, oh, what would
| do without my precious boy?"
Don't fear for me, mother, or forget
what you have SO often taught me of
faiM and trust"
you are right. Go, my son, and do all
the good you can. And may the good
Lord bless and keep you in safety"
Away bounded Paul, up one street and
down another, until he stood with Il crowd
of excited people before Il fine, large man
sion, from which the devouring flames
were issuing at fearful rate. 1t was
soon evident that nothing could save the
building and the firemen were intent
striving to prevent the wind and flakes of
burning cinder from igniting other houses
near by.
"Oh, my boy, save my boy!" was the
heartrending cry which soon rent the air.
"Where is he?" called out one of the
firemen.
"Up in the third story. There, don't
you see that corner window. that's his
ROOM
II see; but it will be at too great risk
now to place ladder against the house.
1t must be nearly shelled out and ready
to fall in
so, for mercy's sake, save my child! A
thousand dollars to the first person who
attempts to save him."
''Lifc's worth more than money" NUT
tered one.
That's sop said others.
But there was a stir among the crowd
and slight but strongly built youth, in
shabby clothes, stepped forth and said:
"If some one will place a ladder against
the window, Pll venture up"
You had better not attempt it, said
the fireman who had first spoken. "Onc
life is as good as another, and you Will
lose yours"
That may be, but we had bettertry and
do something instead of standing by TO
see Il fellow creature burn To DEATH
These words were quickly spoken, and
while some men were placing a tall lad
der against the burning building. As
soon rs it touched the window, Paul Du-
val-for it was this mtave boy-stcpped
upon the ladder and with almost sus-
pended breath, mounted it round by
round. The scorching heat nearly suffo
Gated him, and the dense smoke so com
plctely blinded him that it was only
through sense of feeling he made any pro
grcss mt all.
A hushcd stiffness reigned among the
crowd, while many anNiously watched
the boy upon his perilous ascent Once
he staggered and seemed Ia fall.
"a few rounds more, my brave lad
called out some one from below
And with fresh courage Paul reached
the top of the ladder, dashed in the win
dow, and disappeared from sight. But