The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-30

She's actin in the 'pacity oh chamber
maid, and her name am Sophronia john
son." .r. .4.,.
"Well, give us the change an the
letter, an Pm Off"
"Whewp exclaimed the boy. as
he started off with the letter in his
pocket, and the directions in his head,
''The very house they druv me from this
mornin'. Wonder if the nigger ill
order me off the stoop."
AS the young "colored gemman" had
said, it was "only piece uptown" the
house being on Fifth avenue, just above
Sixteenth street.
But as the boy neared the corner oi
the street, piercing cry of "Fire!
Firep reached his ear, hurrying on tc
see from whence it came, to his amaze
ment, it proved to be the very house 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 head
way before its existence had been dis
covered, and the flames were already
darting upward through the wide halls
and into the second story. The staircase
was wrapped in a wreathing cloud Of
smoke, and little flashes of crimson light
appeared in its midst, and on the pave.
ment Just beyond stood gray-haired
man with clasped hands and face
stricken with terror.
Our young friend recognized him al
once. 1t was the same old gentleman
who had told him SO grufiy 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 perishine
in the flames.
"My child, my petp he was saying,
piteously, to himself, then turning excl
tedly to the gathering crowd, he ex
claimed in tones that sounded above the
murmuring throng about him:
"a hundred dollars to the one who
will save my grandchild! Who will
save my grandchildw
"I will" responded a shrill voice al
his side; no other than that of the poor
bootblack of the morning.
"You are only child" he began-
But the boy, pointing to the twirline
flames above him, interrupted hastily.
"Tell me where the child is, and fol
Gods sake be quick"
"ln the second story back, In a little
crib"
"Some of you fellers boost me ontel
that ledge above the parlor winder" said
the boy to the gaping bystanders, "and
I'll have it down in a twinkling." -.
Quickly they did his bidding, and in
less time than it takes to relate it, he had
clambered to the front chamber window
and efecting an entrance, disappeard
amid the choking smoke that was fast
filling the room.
He soon found the crib, and taking tht
little sleeper in his arms, wrapped it uE
in blanket he tore from the rosewood
bedstead at his side.
Then pulling off one of the sheets, hi
endeavored to tear it into shreads, but ir
vain; it was made of the strongest anc
finest linen, his knife however was il
his pocket, and hastily whipping it out
he cut it into number of strips.
Then tying them together by way of 6
rope, he fastened it about the middle o
the child.
"Here it isl" he shouted, and at ono
proceeded to lower the child into it
grandfather's outstretched arms.
A great cheer sounded up from tn
multitude below, and the fremen, seeing
his precarious position, ran for ladder
But every instant the danger increased
and he could now feel the seething fire
almost catching him in its merciless EN-
brace.
II must jump he shouted, and hun
dred hands reached out to catch him a
he gave the leap.
But with all the eagerness of those be
meath him, they missed their reckoning
and he fell heavily to the ground.
Tender hands raised him, but ther,
was no recognition in the still white face
A deep cash across the forehead
pointed to the most serious wound h
had received, and, without once openin,
his eyes or giving the least sign Of con
sciousness, he was borne to neighborins
hospital.
Ii was many days before he recovered
his senses-weeks before he could walk
But when this stage had been reached, HI
was the recipient Of good tidings. Th'
hundred dollars, which seemed a for
tune in his inexperienced eyes, was Ger
tainly his; but better than this was tn
news that the parents of the child he hat
saved intended to take his future il
charge. th't
Since, he has become a man of higl
position and unquestionable ability, and
whenever he is asked how he came By
the scar on his forehead, his answer in
variably is: ~ received it when / was ,
bootblack and call it my revenge
Lebanon, Me-, IS proud Of possessing
the stupidest man in the United States
He is farm hand, and was engaged tt
plow ten-acre lot. Wishing him tt
draw straight furrow, his employer di
rected his attention to cow grazing RICH