The daily gazette., 1879-12-26

proved to be the very house to which he
was bent on his errand as letter carrier.
The fire alarm had been sounded, and
a crowd was rapidly gathering before the
door, and in among them the bootblack
was soon standing.
In some way the fire had gained a
headway before its existence had been
d scovered, and the flames we're already
dating upward through the wide halls
and into the second story. The stair
case was wrapped in wreatbing cloud
of SIN, ke, and little flashes of crimson
light appeared in Its midst, and on the
pavement just beyond, stood a gray
haired man with clasped hands and a
face stricken with terror.
Our young friend recognized him at
once. 1t was the same old gentlem IN
who had told him so gruffly to "be off"
that morning, and in an instant he took
it all In. That he was the father of the
beautiful young lady he had seen at the
window, and that some one was perish
ing in tie flames.
"My child, my pet!" he was saying
piteously, to himself, then turning ex.
citedly to gathering crowd, he exclaim-
ed In tones that sounded above the din
Of the approaching engines and the hum
of the murmuring throng about him:
ga hundred dollars to the one who
will save my grandchildl Who will save
my grandchild?"
II will" responded shrill voice at bi.
side; no other than that of the poor boot
back Of the morning.
"Yon are only child" he began
But the boy, poiLting TO the whirling
flames above him, interrupted hastily.
"rell me where the chill is, and for
Gods sake be quick"
"ln the second story back, in a little
crib."
''oome of you fellers boost me outer
hat ledge above The parlor winder"
SAID the boy to the gaping bystan ders,
''ard l. have it down in 'winkling. -
Quickly they did his bidding, and in
less time than it takes to relate 1.-THE had
c'ambered TO the front chamber window,
and ehecting an entrance, disappeared
amid the choking smoke that was fast
| filling the room.
He soon found the crib, and taking
the little sleeper in his arms, wrapped il
up heal and foot in blanket he tore
from the rosewood bedstead a. its side.
Then pulling off one of the sheets, he
endeavored to tear it into shreds, but
| IN vain; 1t was made of the strongest and
finest linen. His knife, however. was 4
his pocket, and hastily whipping it out
he cut 1t into mum Der of strips,
| Then tying them together by way of a
rOpe, he fastened it about the middle oi
the child.
"Here It Isl" he shouted, and at once
proceeded TO lower the child into its
grandfather's outs tretched arms.
| A great cheer sounded up from the
multitude below, and the fremen, see
ing the precarious position, ran for 9
| ladder. But every instant the danger
increased. and he could now feel the SET
hing fire almost catching him in 1t,
| lnerciless embrace.
~ must jumpl" he shouted and hun
dred hands reached out to catch him a.
he gave the leap.
But with all the eagerness Of those
beneath him, they missed their reckon
ing, and he fell heavily to the ground.
Tender hands raised him, but there
was no recognition In the still, white
face.
A deep cash across the forehead poin.
ted to the most serions wound he ha(
received, and, without once opening his
eyes or giving the least sign of consci.
BUSINESS, he was borne to nelghborinl
hospital.
1t was many days before he recovered
his senses-weeks before he could. Blu
when this stage had been reached, h'
was the recipient of good tidings. Th
hundred dollars, which seemed a FORUM
in his inexperienced eyes, was certainly
his; but better than this was the new
that the parents of the child he had sav
ed intended to take his future in thei
charge.
Since, he has become man of hig'
position and unquestionable ability, an
whenever he is asked how he came b
the scar on his forehead, his answer In
variably is: ~ received 1t when 1 was
bootblaek and call it my revenge"