The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-08-22
TSBURG, PA, FRIDAY, AUGUST %. 1879

y
held fast, and looked up to see if the
pine tree was still standing. AS they
passed under it the flames had caught it
in the long branches, and it stood a py-
ramid of fire. On the cars sped. Anoth-
er curve was passed, and they were again
in the midst of dense green wood.
Dan McChing shouted to his brother
to put down the brakes, and succeeded
in making him stop the train. The two
men then got out, and ran back to pick
up Ward, who had dropped exhausted
before the motion entirely ceased.
They placed him in the cars, and then
allowed the train to run some distance
further, till they felt sure that the dam
ger was past. Coming to little stream
of water near the track, they again stop
ped the train, and gathered round the
spring, to wash their burns and rest a
little.
Here Ward recognized the poor woman
he had saved as Mrs. Stacey. the wife of
a wOod-chopper, who was employed to
supply fuel for the engine house they
had just passed. Her little shanty was
right in the path of the fire. She saw
the fire coming, and had time only to
catch her boy and escape to the woods,
where these men had picked her up.
She had lost everything and feared that
her husband had perished in the flames.
He had gone off with his axe in the
morning, which way she could not tell.
Ward was filled with anxiety about
the woman and her child. He knew
that his two companions would do moth
ing for her, and he must offer her shelter
in his own home. But he had six chill
dren and an aged mother to support,
and his wife was not one who bore her
burdens lightly.
But the kind-hearted man invited
Mrs. Stacey to accompany HIM home,
and lifting the boy in his arms when
they Ieft the cars, he stode on ahead to
show her the narrow path.
They passed several houses, and ap-
preached a pretty white cottage. With
a thrill of joy, Ward listened to the
merry voices of his children.
In a moment more he opened the door
on a bright family picture. The table
was spread and his children were gather
ed round it, except the little twins, who
were already in their cribs, while in the
midst of them sat the old grandmother,
smiling placidly at their lively clatter.
Ward gave Mrs. Stacey a seat, and
placed the boy on her lap; then, after
introducing her to his mother, he asked
anXiously for his wife.
She was in the kitchen, looked tired
and worried. He saw this, as he began
ir a low tone TO explain to her who their
visitor was, and her claims upon their
hospitality.
But in a loud, angry voice she inter
rupted him, saying, ''NOw, John, that S
Just like you-taking the food and cloth
ing from your own family to give to
beggars. Here l am slavin' and worTyin'
from mornin' to night to take care of
these children and your old mother, yet
you bring two more you've picked up,
and expect me to feed and provide for
them.'' -
but, wife, couldn't leave the poor
woman to perish in the flames, or re-
main homeless and supperless this chilly
night
Mrs. Ward was not a heartless woman.
She was thrifty, and anxious to get
ahead, and had much to try her. 1t
distressed her to find that, manage as
economically as she could, she could
hardly keep John out of debt. Just then
she laid it all to her husbands charity
to 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 imposed upon, and so we have to
bear the consequence. "
Mrs. Stacey could not help hearing
this conversation. Putting down her
child, she walked to the kitchen door,
and opening it said, in faltering tone :
''Mrs. Ward. I'm nc beggar. Tins
morning | was in my own home. This
afternoon the fire came, and l had to flee
before it. My house and everything in
it was burned to ashes. Mr.. Ward saved
my life and my boys at risk l don't
dare think of. May the Lord reward
him for his kindness He asked me to
! his house to pass the night; but III 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
/ Come, let's all sit down to tea. Then.
! John, you must tell us everything about
the fire and your escape"
She turned pale and trembled as sht
listened to his account of the fearful
risks they had run.
''JOhn, y asked his old mother, Evil
the fire reach us ?''
II think not. 1t is not spreading il
this direction, and l trust we are per
fectly safe"
Yet, with fear in their hearts, tha
night, before retiring, John Ward ant
his wife went out and climbed higl
rock, near the house, where they coult
see if danger threatened, But arount
them was only the green, dewy woods
and above, the clear, peaceful starlight
Feeling relieved, they sought the res
both so much needed.
The next morning, messenger cam
to the little village to say that the fir
was spreading with fearful rapidity, an'
that help was needed to fight it back.
The men of the village responded {
the call, and all day and nearly all night
in company with a large force, the
fought the fearful confiagration.
But famed by a strong west wind
although baffled and driven back at on
point, like an unrelenting foe the fir
pushed forward its columns in another
and often, before the men were aware
they saw the fianks of the battle turned
and themselves almost surrounded b
! the flames.
Ward at last became alarmed for tn
, safety of his family, and returned home
He found the greatest excitement pre-
vailing in the village. The fire had a
tackled the other side of the mountain
} and they feared it would sweep over an
come down upon them.
Ward saw that the wind was Sti
carving the flames in an opposite dire
: ton vet he told his wife to dress IL
2 children in their thickeSt wooden ga
ments, so that they might be prepare
: for any emergency. Then, complete