, 1874-03-01
Mary By the shoulder, and shaking her violently.


| WHERE'S s TIE YOUNG uN !" =
| Mary stopped rubbing her eyea, and stared
racantly at jim for . moment; then sho utterei
piercing scream, and attempted to enter thf
burnlng building again. The intense heat, how.
ever, drove her back and she stood in front o1
the crowd with fierce, hopeless glaroia her eyes
cry, half groan, half yell, which uade even tie
! most whisky hardened men ahiTer and turn pale.
- hundred dollars for whoeyeru Sc: tha.
babJ'!" shouted tho Major.
| Nobody etirred- There were plenty Of I'M
pecunious men at spurtip; but none seemed in
cIned to earn money in exactly this manner.
'tTwo hundred. !" cried the Professor.
"Ihreo'' roaled the Deacon. t. Its little
| heathen, an it runs a double rcsk."
| Taint no use tryin' J" remarked Serenteener,
! ox~mcmber OF IN Eastern fire department. s*No
feller cud live in that there fire more'n half =
all up with him."
! "fhat you a-yellin' oyer yer loss, jim ? ."
! pleasantly aaked Joe Backssy, edsing into the
crowd, and pattins tho unfortunate baI-keeper
] on the back.
"1t'e Injin Mary her babya in tho loft 0
Lord, just listen to the poor devil J " said Jim,
| as Mary uttered another cry.
Joe picked up bucket Of water, aud poured
it oyer himself, and an instant later
DASHED INTO THE FLAMES
and up the blazing ladder which led to tho loft
breathed for moment. The Deacon clo.ed his
eyes; and his lips were acen to move rapidly
and nanny men. though unused to such exercise,
followed the Deacon's example,
Suddenly mighty roar broke from the crowd
as Joe Backsey, hatIess, hairless, beardless, and
almost black, emerged from the burning build
ing with dirty bundle in his arms. He
had nearly crossed tho street, whon
suddenly ho stopped. screamed, "Catch
rerd, on the ground.
Tbo Deacon WIS by his sido in an instant,
shouting for water and oil, as he tenderly
turned the inBcnsible form over.
"No 60" aaid seYenteoner, giving Joe's facs
critical glance
uE's BnEATnED THE FIRE;
know it BY his lips an nose; he won't never
breathe uotllin' elee.'
'1Joe, 1" cried the Deacon, while big tears
fell from his rugged face. s'God have mercy on
yer bou1!"
From beneath tho cruel1y-singed eyebrows
and laEhcs, Joo's good-natured eyes opened
his cracked lips parted and smiled; he tried
and then the Doncon knew, by. the way
Joe's head hung over the kind old arm that
supported 1t. that 1,is partner
uAD DRAWN nlB LAST DITDEED.
:. For eome moments the crowd stood in respect
ful silence then Jim SIipson invited tho crowd
to open his few remaining bottles, aud drink
deep to Joe's good luck in the next world. 4
atretcher Has then improTised ard jos w.s car,
red to ths Office Of tho C1ickledge Company.
There WIS no formal lying g-n~state; there rasnot
a single flower placed on the rude catafalquo
but men Of all degrees crowded to see what re-
manned OF tho hero and many Of them, when
they went awey, showed tho first indications Of
soul that had over been secn in their faces.
The three partners sat down to supper, and
gazed sadly at the empty chair. The Major f.
nally broke tho silence.
~ A Christian couldn't haye died moro nobly,"
said he.
't tChrishan !" exclaimed tho Deacon 'Tho !
publicans and harlots shall so into the kingdom |
fore you-an' mel He only offered our money; |
while he gave his life" !
" "Blopael be tho promises" said the Profess |
sor. "sGiye, and it shall be given unto you.'
joe gayo hia life: Gun We believe ha will get |
anything less in return ?''
"Ef burnt off'rns u make an 4tonemenr
noradags," Raid the Deacou, "he's dono his
best; an
NOBODY COULD DO MORE"
Tho Deacon took upon h.-nseH the mournful |
duty and pleasure Of making he.dboard for !
bis deceased partner, and OF painting there
on q suitable inscription. For Lo17rs did !
The Deason rack his brain for passage IT Scrip
,uro which would be appropriate; and he finally
painted on the headboatd the verse:
"Greater love hath no man than this, that
nan lay down his life for his friends.
But Hhils it Vas drying, and the Deacon was
.bsens for 3 few moments. somo leterodox per-
lou strolled III, read the ingcriptiou, and seizing
he paint-brush, wrote:
"Hou 'Eout feller that Saves Injtn bahick
het haia't his friends ~
And thus reads the inscription to this day.
II. L. EERTo1.-