Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-03-27
very minute

His mind, as he bent over his history,
was not on the faction who were plot.
ting to dethrone = king, but on that
gay party who, forgetful of every.
thing but their own pleasure, would
soon be gliding along 10 the music OF
the merry sleigh-bells. Again and
again he endeavored to shake off all
thought of his disappointment and
give his attention to the pages over
which his eyes were aimlessly wander
ing; but to no purpose.
When his older brother, Frank, said
Good night he added: IF you ever
want me to take your place, Ned,
Just say the word I'm not much of
nurse, but I'll do my best
I've been feeling for a day or two
so much BETTER said Mrs. Barlow,
that I'm sure l shall disturb no one
tonight
At these words Ned babe hurried
| Good night to both, and fastened to
bis room, where, throwing himself on
the bed, he exclaimed ooh, why
didn't they both speak last night, and
then / could have gone But, pshaw
what baby l am! Didn't I make
up my mind to stop thinking about it?'
His thoughts were interrupted by
low, prolonged whistle from outside.
He recognized the b class signal and
sDrang to the window. Two of the
boys stood below, ana he fastened to
turn down the light that he might see
them more plainly by that of the moon,
and then noiselessly raised the sash.
Hush = said one in loud whisper
Lean out farther. We've been wait
ing to see your light for / don't know
how long. There's some delay about
the ride and we can't start for half an
hour; 80 the boys voted that two of
us should come and ask you again to
Join U.S.
THE arrangements are perfect
chimed in his companion. Stones
big sleigh, and supper eight miles out
at Morrison's Tell us where to get
ladder and we'll have you down in no
time. Quick! There's only ten min.
utes left 4!
Many thoughts chased each other
through Ned's brain. To get Frank
down in the few minutes left him was
out OF the question. However, he
argued, mothers so much better l
don't believe she'll need any one. She
has slept soundly for a week past, and
hasn't had to take any medicine for
wakefulness for long time.' He
thought of leaving few lines on the
table to explain his whereabouts so
if the sleighing party were delayed
his mother would not be anxious. 1t
would not be betraying the secret,
for by that time the morning paper
would be out. He had about decided
to signal Yes to the eager, question.
ing faces below, when the words,
BLESSED is the man who endureth
temptation seemed to sound in his
| ears.
No, boys; it's very good in you,
but l can't change my mind. l wish
you the best of times, and thank you
over and over
Throwing himself again upon the
bed, he repeated the words that had
helped him to do right: Blessed is
the man that endureth temptation, for |
when he is tried he shall receive the |
crown of life which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him. /
remember wishing when DR.. Thayer
preached from that text last Sunday
that could have chance to ENDURE
and here it takes me a whole day to
make up my mind about a simple
question of right and ,Drongi Ny not
going must all be for the best > and,
while thinking thus, he fell asleep still
dressed.
Mrs. Barlow lay awake long time
that night, and instead Of calling Ned
to bring her medicine, as she usually
did, imagined she felt strong enough
to wait upon herself. Taking lamp,
she went toward Ned's room, but the
exertion was beyond her strength, the
lamp slipped from her hand, and she
fell to tbs floor.
Ned awakened by crash and a
flame of fire darting by the bedside.
'Mother! he cried, springing to-
ward the PROSTATE figure, which the
flames were nearing every second
With a hurried prayer to God for
help, he bore her as best he could to
the next room and sought to restore
consciousness. This accomplished, he
darted up the stairs to his brothers
room. 1t was filed with smoke, and
Frank could not be reused from his
stupor. Throwing up the window,
Ned called loudly for help; then took
his brother in his arms, and, by using
all his strength, succeeded in getting
him out of his room.
| Assistance was now at hand and
the fire soon under control, Ned the
while showing SO much bravery and
presence of mind that the air was rent
with cheers.
In the early dawn, after all the
neighbors had gone to their homes,
and the little family were giving ex-
preston to their OVERLOOKING Eearts
in thanks to the Great Protector, the
sleighing party dashed by, not motto.
ing the blackened side OF the Barlow
cottage. Ned saw them, and thanked
God for having given him strength to
do right.
IF l had gone he shudderingly
thought, this morning would have
found me without home and without
friends. What would my note of ex-
PLANTATION have availed =
There was so much about the fire
and Ned's heroism in the paper next
day that the expected notice of the
sleighride was cro,cded out The boys
afterward told Ned that it wasn't the
success they expected, for the fire had
awakened the whole neighborhood,
the boys had been missed, and, to
quiet the general anxiety, Mr.. Allen
had to tell where they were.
| The next morning that Ned attend.
ed school he was greeted by cheers
as he entered the room. The princi.
pal made 8 speech and shook him
warmly by the hand, while the boys
pressed eagerly forward to do the
same. Jim was manly enough to
| apologize for his conduct, adding
with emphasis slJncle Seth saw Won