The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-02-09

shops OF all grades, but bis search was
unsuccessful, and at length he turned to.
ward home thoroughly disheartened
Suddenly he heard the cry Of FIRE raised
and burryipg along he soon reached Hol.
lands saloon, from the doors and windows
of which the thick black smoke was pour.
ing in great volumes.
Gathered in front of the building were
a group of men, some half tipsy and all
looking very much frightened.
The bar tender was among them, and
approaching him, Joe asked the cause OF
the fire.
Lightning struck, he answered with q
curse and there's all that old bourbon
and best brandy going. Foss was just
taking a drink when
Was Foss 10 there p interrupted Har.
dy where is he now. has he come out I?
Il don't know, he was just going tC
drink when the lightning struck ant
knocked him over. Had hard work t.
get out ourselves without looking atte
him.
Grasping a rope which lay near, Hard
quickly tied it about his waist and cried
If | don't come back myself, pull mt
out |!
He was rushing through The door wher
fireman stopped him. You can't live
in there for q moment no said.
But l must; let me CO. and breaking
away he vanished in the smoke.
The crowd outside waited breathlessly
and at length grew excited. You'd bet
ter pull that man out if you want to saw,
him, probably sufocated before this sait
bystander.
Just then from the inside of the burn
ing building came the cry Pull pull =
Drawing swiftly but cautiously the,
soon had the body near the entrance. .whel
fireman bravely sprang through tn
flames and in moment had the motion
less form out into the street.
Bruised, burned and blackened. tn
body was yet recognized as Frank Foss
For Heavens sake where is Jo
Hardy p was the cry.
Suddenly loud shout, and from an up
per window form sprang to the groun'
striking heavily upon his side.
He was quickly raised from the cart
and carried to a neighboring store.
1t was Joe Hardy but how changed
His hair and whiskers burnt entircl
off, his garments torn and burnt almos
from his person, and face and hand
burned terribly. No bones we're broker
by his fall, but he was severely bruised
He was brought to consciousness after
few moments labor and sent CAREFUL
home
1t seems be found his way iuto the sa
loon and stumbled upon the body of hi
friepd, and being unable to carry him ou
had fastened the rope around his bod
aud gave the signal to pull.
He then 10 some way he could not te
how, found his way up stairs, and ioun
his way to the window and spraug out
He recovered completely from his ipjur
les.
As Tor Frank he was not much injured
beyond the burns and bruises, and speed
lily grew we'll.
1t is hardly necessary to say that, ,frol
that time,he had no more to do with Kei
nard, nor trequented the dram shoI
again,
When he came wholly to himself. h
remembered that he was raising the gla.
of liquor to his lips when the bolt fro
heaven entered the window, dashing til
cup from his hand, stunning him, and Sc
ting the saloon on fire.
Hung upon the wall in his room yo
may find 4 picture which represents thi
scene.
Joe Hardy is gratefully regarded t
one of the instruments used 10 this,
Salvation as by fire 1t was a terrib
cure, but it seemed to come from heave
and was Il most eifectual one, and hapE
ness reigned in the home where the der
ON bad foothold but was cast out