River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-01-23

| rarY relief from DIS en- DarraSsiDg posi-
ton, said that he would like TO 60 NJ
stairs once; and if she weuId kindly senC
him up bit Of toast, he would not inflict
his stupid presence upon anybody AGAR
that day. He hoped TO be in better trim
in the morning.
| So servant was called to conduct him
up stairs; and then. after very delici-
Gus little repast, which Miss Mortimer
Heaven bless herb had no doubt pre-
pared with her own hands, he flung him
self on the bed, and fell asleep.
! The bedroom was front one, and the
windows were open. Our hero was
awakened once, long while after, by a
mans voice outside, and then he heard
Miss Mortimer say
"Why fatherl how late you are, and
where is Bertie3'
And Mr.. Mortimer's reply
81 haven't seen him for some time. |
thought he was home; he was down at
the works with Harvey's boys at five
o'clock He'll come along when he gets
ready, | reckon"
Then the young soldier fell asleep once
more.
Unjust have been an hour or more af-
ter this that he found himself suddenly
wide awake again, with the impression
that there was something unusual going
on. 1t was quite dark in the room now.
There were hurried footsteps outside his
door, and confused anxious voices below.
He went to the door and asked what
was the matter. A servant answered,
with quivering voice.
THE works is all afire; and Master
Bert he can't be found uowhars !"
He put on his coat. and went down
stairs A carriage had just drove of, and
there was no one there except two fright
ened servants. Over the trees he could
see a glare and smoke, and he hurried
eff down the path.
Down at the Mortimer Works an ex-
cited crowd of men and women were
standing about, looking up at the dark
windows of the large mill. The doors
had been opened below, and an attempt
made to reach the uppermost story, where
the fire was; but no one scOuld get above
the third floor. The smoke drove them
back.
Meanwhile, away up under the roof the
flames were now showing themselves
and then, at the window of the corner
room,--Master BERTHE suddenly appeared
at the window. and held his head far out
while the smoke, though as vet in no
great volume, was all about him.
The room had been used as sort of
lumber room, and was generally kept
fastened The boy had been hiding
there from his playfellows just before the
works closed, and had fallen asleep.
There was but one room between him
and the fire, and this room was now so
full of smoke that it would have been
certain death by sUffocation to enter it.
There was no way Of escape but by the
windows.
| Within a dozen feet cf the window
where BERTHE had made his appearance, a
stationary ladder ran up the side of the
building, connecting with one eff the win
dOws of the adjoining room; but the boy
could not possibly reach this ladder, ard
/ there were no movable ladders Of suita.
| bic length anywhere around. Grcat
/ Heaven what was to be done? He could
not remain where he was long; the fire
was already at the door of his room.
| Presently carriage drove up, and Mr..
Mortimer and Elsie got out The great
man seemed to take in the whole situa-
ton at glance. The crowd made way
| for him, and he came through, with his
daughter, pale and beautiful, by his side.
They stopped close under the burning
walls.
lis there no way to get the boy down?
| Mr.. Mortimer cried hoarsely. "Great
| God !" why haven't some of you been up
the LADDER Here,-stand aside!'
And he would have gone up himself;
nut nimDler and younger man was be-
| fore him. Yet what use could there be
in that2 The man reached the window OF
the room next the lumber-room, and
broke in the sash; but the smoke came
rushing out, and nearly overpowered him.
/ There he was, within a few feet of the
child, and yet powerless to reach or help
hin. He came slowly down the ladder
again, and the poor father groaned aloud.
/ lie looked up, and called out to the boy
bat BERTHE did not hear him.
/ The smoke was all about him now, and
il was plain that he would soon be smoth-
cred where he was if he did not jump
The old man turned to the crowd lbout
him.
| You all know me-" he said: II do as
l say, DO notl will give you, any OF
you, every thing,-yes, all have, if you
will bring me down my boy"
But they looked at him, and said not q
weri. They loved him in their way, and
pitied him as ey had never pitied them
selves in their hardest trials,-hut they
could not do what was Impossible. Only
Cad could give back the boy
Suddenly the crowd parted again TO lei
a new conner pass through.
/ He was young man IN military cap
and be walked swiftly aud straight. He
saw it all at a glance too,--saw the boy
get out of the window silently, at last
and hang ny his two weak arms. There
was ire as well as smoke behind hin
now
Elsie Mortimer recognized the young
man at once: and something IN his stern
rcsolute look gave her hope.
20 Mr. Smith can't you do something
Tor him3" she ssked eagerly ana beseech
ingly.
lie looked down into her face fac.
which, even st that moment, he declared
TO himself to be wonderfully beautiful
Do anytbingl sy everything for her.
lie made her no answer whatever, bn
called out for light strong rope. Some
how as if even inaDimate things came &
his determined call,--it was in his hand
ut one, pliable ana soft and strong jus
what he wanted tor his purpose. He gavl
Il dextrous twist, and formed the ems
into loop like lasso. His life on TIL
plans--half military, half Indian has
we'll .itsed him for an occasion like this
Then he cOiled the rope over has lett arm
and went rapidly up the ladder.
There was great nusn now upon Ia
crowd below Every eye was fixed O
! the brave young fellow who was Tar ri
the ladder very heart wss beating g
him.
lie was attic upper story at last, paus
ing list below the window where til
flames were bursting angrily forth. The