Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-06-10

took it up, and the night air rang with
the fearful word.
Mr.. Leigh and his wife were away at a
wedding, and no one at home but the
servants, and they, wild and excited, did
nothing but run hither and thither,
wringing their hands and uttering fright
ened EXPLANATIONS.
Och, me poor darlint! me poor little
Miss Birdie! It's all burnt she'll be in
tirelyp' cried Nora, the nurse-girl.
"Where is she?" hastily inquired " the
tramp" who had left his bed in the barn
at the first alarm, and was the only per-
son Who seemed to have any presence of
mind. "Where is she? Speak, woman"
"That's her room where the flames are
coming out of the window" said Maria,
the chambermaid
Bring ladder-quick!" shouted the
tramp. "And all get pals of water"
Ascending the ladder, he soon reached
the window of BRIDES chamber, and,
with one bound, was lost to sight. With
abated breath the others watched for his
temperance. 1t seemed so very long
an age-ere he was seen again, although
it was ouly minute or two.
But in the meantime carriage dashed
up the avenue. The master and mis-
tress had returned. You may imagine
their feelings when they heard that their
darling little child was in the midst Of
those flames! How they prayed that he
who had gone to deliver her might sue
coed in his brave endeavor!
Presently the tramp appeared at the
window, the scarlet flames spreading
about him in brilliant flame of fire.
In his arms, carefully wrapped up in
the coat he had taken off to protect her,
was little Birdie. Ere he had gone half
way down the ladder he held out his
burden for other hands to take. This
done, his strength gave way and he fell
to the ground.
Kind friends gathered around him, and
wept as they beheld him. His back was
only covered by charred shreds of the
old, ragged cotton shirt, his beard and
hair were singed, and his face was black,
burnt and bleeding. His fall, too, had
injured him internally, and the fire and
smoke had totally blinded him, so that
he could not see the plying faces bent
over him. Suffering terribly, he needed
not the inquiries relative to his condi-
ton, but only murmured family: "The
little girl-little Birdie-is she all right?"
Eyes, yes, all safe and sound But,
my brave fellow, what can we do for
you?" said Mr.. Leigh.
"Don't do anythin' for me, sir. Jest
git the upper hand o. the fire."
eve have. 1t is rapidly being sub
dued But tell US, can't we ease your"
mo, nothin', sir. [ guess Pm about
dun fur. Glad that I was able to do a
little suthin' fur We. sir, you've been SO
kind. Pm glad the Lord let me do one
thing fore I died that | needn't be
'shamed Of"
"But, oh! dear, kind man, l can't let
you die!' cried Birdie, kneeling beside
the tramp and sobbing bitterly. ooh, to
think that you lose your life for mine! 1t
seems so hard that you must die for
mel"
"Waal, that's SO much better than if
I'd go up to my God just out of drunken
spree. If I'd live | might break all the
good resolutions I've made. P'r'aps
God seed was so weak, an thought He'd
better take me. Don't cry, little one
I'm glad [ could save you"
His voice grew fainter and fainter as
he said:
Christ pardoned the dy1n' thief, didn't
he? Wish I'd been better; but Jesus is
kind, an good-an' merciful-p'r'aps
He'll pardon me. I-ruther think-He-
will"
The voice ceased speaking, and over
the mans SCARED face came a look of
perfect peace.
A soul had just been launched out
upon the great unknown seattle poor,
weak, sinful soul of "only a tramp
Hearth and Home.