The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-11-27

then return he will be protection enough.
if he is only boy, and I shan't feel at
all tiMid.'
A brisk walk, with Gilbert's constant
boyish chatter and pleasure at seeing the
long continuous line Of lamps, that it
seemed band of light along the straight
stretch Of streets, soon brought them
down into the more central portion Of
the city, and, almost before she realized
it, Rhoda found herself In crowd of
men and boys, who appeared to think
that keeping Thanksgiving eve consisted
in shouting and :jostling and pushing every
one with whom they came IN contact
Presently a loud clang and boom rang
out upon the air, and, thep, a rush on the
part of the crowd, followed by rattle
and clatter Of noisy cagines along the
street, and wbirl of hurrying people
with cries OF "tire! tire!' upon their Ii ps,
flew past.
20 Rhoda! I never saw fire; come
let us go" and Gilbert caught her by the
hand, and she obeying wild sort Of lm-
pulse which she, could scarcely under
stand, and felt powerless to control, fol-
lowed him until they stood at last in the
midst of shouting crowd, far down in
the city, Watching the raging flames that
now burst forth from the building from
whence the alarm had sounded.
There was fascination in the sight of
the long curling tongues of fire that lick
ed the walls of the house caressingly, and
terrible grandeur IN the final topple and
crash Of the mighty fortress of flames.
Rhoda stood as spell at the sight,
as was her companion, until some one
rudely pushed by her, peered into her
face and laughingly addressed her as
"Little Red Ridinghood,' then she sud-
denly became aware that it was night,
and that they two were far away from
home and alone.
"Come, Gilbert, comc,' she whispered,
quickly pulling him away; "we must go
home;" and, hurying through the crowd
open street, that they were at least two
miles from home; and from clock in a
store near by she saw that it was consid-
erably after ten.
"Have you any money, Gilbert, we
must ride home at once2" she asked, after
feeling in her own pocket and finding
her purse was not there.
"Ten cents; but that's not enough, is
it? Can't we walk? Pm not tired.''
81 don't think we can; I am cold and
tired, both? O Gilbert! why did we
Gomez" and there was slight suspicion
oftears in the trembling frightened voice,
as Rhoda realized their uncomfortable
position; two miles fiom home, after ten
o'clock, and not money enough to ride;
it was not very pleasant state of affairs,
surely. Rude men passing now, began
to notice the girl, and boldly stared IN
her pale face. "Gilbert," she whispered,
shrinking from their gaze, "Gilbert, we
must get into car; I will explain to the
| conductor, and we can pay the rest of the
fare tomorrow"
But there were no cars in sight, and it
was growing colder every moment. After
waiting some time upon the corner, Rhoda
cried:
There is policeman, Gilbert, I'll ask
him how soon the car will be aiong?''
and timldly accosting the officer who
stood near by, and who appeared to he
noticing their evident distress, Rhoda
was informed that in consequence OF the
fire, that line of cars was stopped.
"But," added the officer, politely,
"you can take an Arch street car and ex-
change with one of the north bound
lines.'
80, Rhoda, two exchanges, eighteen
cents! and we've only ten," cried Gilbert,
pathetically; "well have to walk, and
you are shivering with the cold, and it's
all my fault for bringing you out"
The officer came nearer now, and,
apeaking to Gilbert, but looking at the
tired, pale face in the scarlet hood and
seal-skin cap, said kindly
eff you will allow me, my lad, Will
arrange all that" and he took from his
vest pocket silver piece and put to into
Gilbert's hand, and adding: "your sister
is not able to walk far this cold night,
please accept this little loan"
Rhoda bowed and said
"You are very kind; do not think !
could walk back, and you see we haven't
any money; but I will recollect your sta
ton, and.'' looking up at his cap, ooh,
yes l see your number is seventy-nine,
Remember, Gilbert, policeman No. 10
Thank you. very much, for the loan ~
| and, taking her cousin arm, Rhoda hur-
ried on toward the car.
II tell you, you've got frst-class police
men here, Rhoda. Wasn't he stunner2''
cried Gilbert, as they reached the car,
and he paid their fare out of the silver
piece; I'll return the money the first
thing in the morning; it will be a real
Thanksgiving, won't it? I don't know
when ever felt more grateful; why, we
might have been arrested as tramps and
taken to the station house."
Upon reaching home, the two runa-
ways found that their stay had OCCASION
cd much CONSERVATION in the household.
Rhoda's brother Ralph stood upon the
doorstep, anxiously awaiting their ap.
pearance, not little disappointed and