Connecticut western news., 1878-06-06
The Forest Fire.

A N
 efGood heavens it's coming as sure aSwe're Aalive!" 2 si-st,}kS. 5'.t''-'s''''"
 " Is there no saving the house ?'' aa :. Nothing short of miracle, and the day for them is passed. 7 "a.su s.i, t5Er. .ll
 Isaiah Madison and h1s wife were driving along Canadian highway, and checked the horse on the top of a hill, which commended a wide view of the country. Their faces were white, for they were smitten with horrible fear.
 Reports had reached them for week past of the. fires raging in the forests, and there were many rumors of frightful losses of1ife, where the settlers found themselves enyironed on every hand by the merciless element. Some of the peopleiwere sure the conHagration was working down in this direction, but little dread was felt by Madison, for the req son that nothing of the kind was ever known before and then we are apt to believe that,a calamity, no matter where 1t may strike, IS pretty sure to spare us.
 But husband and wife, as they logged along at an easy pace, saw there was smoke in the air. Indeed, the vapor was percephbIe for several days, but there was a'densaty about it now which was alarming, It could be smelt and tasted, and it was manifestly increasing.
 The. densest portion lay over the for est, through which the road led, and which was entered after descending the hill upon whose crest the wagon had halted. Two miles further in the woods, and the dwelling of the couple was reached, and there was. all their earthly property. A comfortable home, 8 horse, two cows, pigs and poultry, and then only child, Dick, lad fifteen years old, who stayed behind to ''keep house" ," and attend to- the stock in the absence of theparents. N.s' aE
 It was enough to terrify man at the prospect of losing all his property in one fell 'swoop the earnings and accu- mutations of a lifetime; but just then the awful dread in the hearts of father and mother was concerning the boy.
 What would become of him when the furious fire should sweep down upon the household9 What earthly prospect of escape was afforded him? There was no lake or pond within reach, the only water being well, and a small stream flowing near the house. .... .. .44
 Everything indicated that the conaa- grafton was already close to the build 1ngs, and the connmonest prudence would have warned the couple against entering the imperiled forest It looked utterly impossible to reach their home ahead of the James,, and even if they succeeded, what could they accomplish ?
 The fire ran with the speed of a race horse, destioying everything within it's path and in such remote spot there was no means for saving buildings or stockm Why. then, make the hopeless venture?
 It was their love for Dick. their boy. whicharoused the wild hope that they might aneach the house in time to take hlm ri the wagon, and bring him out ahead of the flames. Neither father no1 mothef Sspoke . word, but their feelings were the same. The halt was for only g minute or two, when he struck the steed sharp cut with the whip, which started him on brisk trot to the bottom of the hill. Immediately after, he entered the forest and drove along ata spanking gait
 The road wound in and out, in many 8 devious turn, being quite narrow il many places, 50 that there was barely room for two vehicles to meet and pass No fence was on either side, for the ne cessity did not exist. ;. q.
 The horse possessed only moderat, speed, and he jogged- along, as he hae done scores of times before, when nc serious danger threatened; but the oc cupants of the vehicle-which was with out any covering torn and tor mented blythe most poignant anguish
 The srhoke grew denser as they ad vancedoand when they had penetrate' not quite half the distance, the drive drew the steed from his trot down to slow walk. "
 It don't look as if we can go mucl further,n' he said, in husky under tone. Do you notice how it is aheat there P
 The road in front was blue with smoke and now, that the rattle of the vehicl was nearly still,1 they could hear tha deep, th5ndsrous roar like the; ocean i storm, which always accompanies a extensive fqssst Ars. - -
 Still doubtful, and 10th to turn back SO long as there seemed g possibility o getting through, the horse was kep npon 2 slov. steady walk. The mal