Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-06
Ward listened to the merry voices 0: his

their cribs, while in the midst of them sat the
OLD grandmother, smilingly placidly at their
lively chatter
Ward gave Mrs Stacey seat, and placed
the boy on her lap; then, after introducing
wife.
She was in the kitchen, looking tired and
worried. He saw this, as he began in 6 low
tone to explain to her who their visitor was,
ana her claims upon their hospitality
But in loud angry voice She interrupted
him, saying, Now, Johh that's just like you
taking the food and clothing from your own
family to give to beggars. Here am slavin'
ana worryln' from mornin' to night to taSe
care OF these children and your old mother,
yet you bring me two more you've picked up,
and expect me tot feed and provide for then.'
But, wife, couldn't leave the poor woman
to perish in the flames, or remain homeless
and supperless this chilly night
Mrs Ward was not heartless woman She
was thrifty, and anxious to get ahead, and had
much to try her. 1t distressed her to find that
mana manage as economically as she could, she
could hardly keep John out of debt. Just
then she laid it all to her husbands charity
10 others. Therefore, seeing only her side of
the argument, she said:
Why must you always be saddled with
such people? They see you are easily i'm
posed upon, and SO we have to bear the con-
sequences
Mrs. Stacey could not help hearing the con-
versation. Putting down her child, she
walked to the kitchen door, and opening it,
said, in faltering tone:
Mrs Ward, Pm no begger. This morning
! was in my own home. This afternoon the
hre came, and had to flee before it. NV
mouse and everything in it we're burned to
ashes. Mr.. Ward saved my life and my boys
at risk don't dare think off Nav the Lord
reward him for his kindness. He asked me
TO his house to pass the night; but I'n not
stay where Pm not wanted, nor be the cause
OF strife. May the devouring flames never
leave you as homeless and friendless as they
have left me-"
These words touched Mrs Ward AS Mrs
Stacey turned away, she sprang towards her,
and said, earnestly:
"Oh, forgive me! | did not think what you
had endured. You shall stay, and I'll give
you the beast the house affords. Come, let's
all sit down to tea. Then, John you must
tell us everything about the fire and YOUR es
cape"
She turned pale and trembled as she listen
ed TO his account of the fearful risks they had
run.
John" asked his old mother, twill the fire
reach u.s."
81 think not. 1t is not Speeding in this
direction, and trust we are perfectly safe.n
Yet with fear in their hearts, that night. be.
fore retiring, John Ward and his wife went
out and climbed high rock, near the house
Where they could see the danger threatened
But around them was only the green, dewy
woods, and above, the clear,peaceful starlight
Feeling relieved, they sought the rest both so
much needed
The next morning, messenger came to
the village to say the fire was spreading with
fearful rapidity, and that help was needed to
fight it back.
The men OF the village responded to the
call, and all day and nearly all night, in COM
"a larn
fearful confagration.
But, famed by strong west wind, although
batded and driven back at one point, like an
unrelenting foe, the fire pushed forward its
columns in another and often, before the
men were aware, they saw the tlanks of the
battle turned, and themselves almost sur
rounded by the flames.
Ward at last became alarmed for the safety
OF his family, and returned home He found
the greatest excitement prevailing in the
village. he fire had attacked the other side
OF the mountain, and they feared it would
sweep ever and come down upon them.
Ward saw that the wind was still carrqinc
Inc flames in an opposite direction; yet he
told his wife to dress the children in thickest
wooden garments, SO they might be prepared
for any emergency. Then, completely ex-
hausted, he lay down to rest.
he mad slept but few hours when Mrs
Stacey came running in, with a report from
the lower houses that the fire was approach
ing from another point. They were in dan
ger OF being hemmed in, and must make their
escape at once.
Old Mrs. Ward begged her son to leave her,
urging that her life was nearly ended, at best,
and that she would only retard their tipht.
But he positively refused, anu catching up
the Two children, while his wife took the
twins, they all started to follow the rest of the
inhabitants. Mrs. Stacey had taken the baby
and with her own little bov, was already in
the advance.
For over mile the old mother walked aid
ed as much as possible by her son; but of
necessity, their progress was SLOW The exer-
tlon proved too much for her. She sank TO
the ground exhausted. Her son assisted her
to rise, and urged her to make an effort to
keep up little longer; but she begged him
TO Leave her and save the rest of the family
Inc flames We're crawling nearer They
could hear the cracking and the crash of the
great trees as they fell. He tried to persuade
the children to run on by his side; but terri
ned by the awful scene, they chung screaming
to him, and refused to move. For time, in
his desperation he tried te carry them all.
buI ms nre was advancing so rapidly, lie
saw that he must abandon his mother or the
whole family perish. She now earnestly
pleaded with him, for the sake of the little
ones, to put her down and flee for his life.
She was not afraid to meet death. 1t would
be but moments pang, then heavenly JOY
forever.
With groan of agony, he acquiesced, vet
drew her as far as possible out OF the direct
line OF the fire. Then, clasping her in his
arms, he cried, 80 mother, how can l leave
your
go, go, my son! AS you have been faithful
to me, may God deal faithfully with you and
yours. Don't grieve that you left me-"
am describing an actual occurrence. It
seems almost impossible that generous, du
tiiul son could leave his aged mother to die
by. the cruel torture of the flames, but the
safety of his own children and of his wife an.
pealed to his heart, and at the moment it
seemed to him better that one should be left.
rather than that the Whole family should per-
ISL.
Ward started forward, but before passing
out OF sight turned for one more look.
His mother was kneeling with hands
clasped and eyes raised In silent PRAYER. The
approaching flames illumined her pale face.
but 1t was calm and peaceful.
lie stood like one IN trance till his wife
who had pushed ahead, besought him to
hasten on. She didn't know which way to 90.
for the fire seemed to be everywhere His
mother also saw his hesitation and motioned
him away.
Ward could hardly endure that last sight
He turned desperately away, came rapidly to
his wife's side, and placing the children at her
feet, flung himself into a tree to obtain more
extended view.
After glance round, he sprang down, and
told her there was but one chance of esca e.
That was to climb to the ton OF the mountain