Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-11-05

did nothing but run hither and thither,
wringing their hands, and utterihg ex-
CARNATIONS.
"Och, me poor darlintl me poor
little Miss Birdie It's all burnt she'll
be entrelyr' cried Nora, the nurse
"Where is she 2" hastily inquired
the tramp, who had left his bed in the
barn at the first alarm and was the only
PERSON who seemed to have any presence
of mind. ''Where is she? Speak wo-
man p
That's her room where the flames
are coming out of the window" said
Maria, the chambernaid.
Bring u laddor-quick !" shouted
the tramp, ''and all ret pals of water"
Ascending the ladder. he soon reauhA
ed the window of Brides chamber and
with one bound was lost to sight.
With bated breath the others watched
for his appearance. 1t seemed so
very long--an age-ere he was seen
again, although it was only minute or
two.
But in the meantime q carriage DASH
ed up the avenue. The master and
mistress had returned. You may
imagine their feelings when they heard
that their darling little child was in the
midst of those Aames How they prayed
that he who had gone to deliver might
succeed in his endcavor
Presently the tramp appeared at the
window, the scarlet flames spreading
about him in a brilliant frame of fire.
In his arms, carefully wrapped 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 behold him His back
was only covered by the eharred shreds
Of the old ragged cotton shirt, his beard
and hair were singed, and his face was
black burnt and bleeding His fall,
100, had injured him internally and tho
fire and smoke had totally blinded him.
Suffering terribly, he needed not the in
.juries relative to his condition, but only
murmered faintly: "The little girl
little Birdie-is she all right p
Eyes, yes, all safe and sound. But
my brave fellow, what can we do for
your" said Mr. Leigh.
"Don't do anythin for me. sir. just
git the upper hand Of the fire.
I've have. 1t is rapidly being
subdued But tell us, can't we ease you
"No, nothin', sir. I guess I'm about
dun for. Glad that was able to do
little suthin' fur yc. sir, you've been 50
kind I'm glad the Lord let me do one
thing fore | die that needn't be sham
cd Of"
But, Oh dear. kind man | can't
let yon die !" cried Birdie. knceling be-
side the tramp and sobbing bitterly.
"Oh, to think that you lose your life
for mine 1t seems so hard that you
must die for me p
"Waal, that's so much better than If
I'd live, might break all the good
resolutions, I've made. P'raps God
SEED was 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 dying
theft, didn't he? Wish I'd been better;
but Jesus is kind an good n'merciful
-p'r'aps he'll pardon me. I--rather
think-IIe-will."
The voice ccased speaking. and over
the mans Scared face came look of
perfect peace.
A soul had just been launched out
upon the great unknown sea--tbe poor,
weak, sinful soul of--''only tramp"
WHAT | HAVE SEEN Il have seen
man build II house SO large that the
sheriff turned him our Of doors.
have seen young man sell good
farm, turn merchant, and die in the
insane hospital.
have seen a farmer travel about SO
much that there was nothing at home
worth looking at.
have seen a young girl marry a
man of dissolute habits, aud repent Of it
as long as she lived.
have seen the extravaganza and
folly Of children bringing their parents
t, poverty and want and themselves to
disgrace.
! have seen prudent, industrious
wife retrieve the fortunes of family,
when her husband pulled at the other
end Of the rope.
The habit Of being always employed
is great safeguard through life. as well
as essential to the culture Of every virtue.