New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-20
ne6fh nf es0ld Rraxe.,,

Some bows Camo down to No. is house
and reported that old Braze was gong TO
die. Several Of the men went to bis little
old shanty ON Maconb street, fearing thai
tho report was true, and sorry that the old
mans time had finally come, although 20
had little to live for
Brace used to rum with Q hand machine
in the long ago, and he never felt quito
| right about the steamers coming here to
! break up hro companies and destroy time.
honored customs. The clank Of the FIRE oeN
would rouse him, even after he WAS old and
| bent and feeble, and he would creep down
| to the fire and cheer US the pipemen dashed
! into the smoke and flames, and az the hook
and ladder boys hung to the corDces and
passed in and out of the windows. He didn't
| say word sgainst the putting. powerful
steamers, but he longed tor the days when
| from the same cistern, and when the
'Break 'er down, boys" of the foremen
drowned the roar of the flames. He used
to come down to No. ls house and sit fos
hours ct q tune, and finally came to con.
s;der himself member of the department,
although he couldn't quite get over the loss
company fight now and then.
Loneliness, poverty and want met the
eyes of the visitors - they entered the
little old house. Old Brazu was lying on .
miserable bed, and . ragged boy, who had
been sent in by neighb0r to keep tho old
man company, had grown weary and falleD
asleep in his chair.
Il sent you word, boys. because Pm
going ont Of commission to-day" said tho
old man to the firemen. "Yes this old
machine IL worn out, and she's 10 be lai&
up"
On the wall over his head was fireman's
leather hat; across the room hung bas.
tered brass trumpet with its faded cords
and tassels. Not . picture An orns.
ment-bare walls, with here and there q
spot through which one could see daylight,
He had lived alone for years. and he had
become used to the gloom and wretched.
ness aud the poverty. Death had already
set its seal upon the old mans face, and tho
firemen had not come an hour too soon.
"Get any alarms last night !" be asked,
- the men sat around him.
1t had been quiet night, they said.
''lt's kinder tough to be laid away where
. Teller can't hear the bells!' continued the
old man. land It seems As If he'd be lone
somes 1s'pose there'll be general alarms
and big fires, snd all tho steamereOut. and
l won't know anything about it''
One of them aeked ii he didn't want 70
sec clergyman.
''No; guess not" he replied; slve bees
praying little this morning and kinder
thinking over old days. forgiving every body
and asking forgiveness. When Pun gone I'd
like to have you boys man the brakes and
put me under the sod in sort . decent
style"
They asked what should be done With he
personal effects, and he replied:
I'D like the hat and trumpet put INTO
the coffin along with me; seems a. I'd RESI-
better for knowing they were there. The
neighbors can come in and take away the
rest.
After . few minutes his nina began %
wander, aud he whispered to himself. Then
he shook of the weakness, and trying hard
to discern the faces OF the men through tbe
glaze Of death he aeked:
''Isn't that an alarmp'
They smoothed back bis thin, gray hale
and whispered that he was mistaken.
y thought it struck box 4l2' he went on
after moment, ''but 'spose deaths pick.
cd up the drag-rope end 10 hauling us Ous
He was quiet again for swo Q. theea mfb.
utes, and then drew himself mp, looked
wildly around, and whispereh:'
r. Tell No. Z, to play through two hundrea
They tried to lay him down. but he pushed
Them away and hOsrsely sh0uteds
'DOwn with the brakes--thuck'es bovAs
hi hi l-ha-a ar
He fell back, and the bow soused by his.
words, sprang of the chair. and after
glance At tha white face on che ted b.
Ubispered:
"Why, old Bra.e ia deadYs
AMT be was.-Dctroi4 Free Press