The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1880-03-10

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But as the boy neared the corner OF
the street, a piercing cry of "Fire
| F1reP ]" reached his ear; hurrying on to
see from whence it came, to his amaze
ment, it proved to be the very house to
which he was bent on his errand as let
ter carrier.
I The fire alarm had been sounded, and
a crowd was rapidly gathering before
the door, and in among them the boot
black was soon standing.
In some way the fire had gained
headway before its existence had been
discovered, and the flames were darting
upward through the wide halls and into
The second story. The staircase was
wrapped in wreathing cloud of smoke,
and little flames of crimson light ap-
peared in its midst, and on the pave
ment 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 gentleman
who had told him so grufIly to Z" 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 the flames,
My child, my pet!" he was saying,
piteOusly, to himself, then turning
eKcitedly to the gathering crowd, he ex-
claimed in tones that sounded above the
din of the approaching engines, and the
hum of the murmuring throng about
him:
"a hundred dollars to the one who
will save my grandchildl Who will
Sava NV 1rpoTdahiId 931
" willl' responded a shrill voice at
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 twirling
flames above him, interrupted hastily.
"Tell me where the child is, and for
Gods sake be quick"
In the second story back, in little
crib"
Some of you fellers boost me onter
that ledge above the parlOr Winderp
said the boy to the gaping bystanders,
and I'll have it down in a twinkling."
h Quickly they did his bidding, and in
less time than it takes to relate it, he
had clambered TO the front chamber
window, and effecting an entrance, dis
appeared amid the choking smoke that
was fast filing TIE room.
He soon found the crib, and taking
the little sleeper in his arms, wrapped
IT up head and foot in blanket he tore
from the rosewood bedstead at its side.
Then pulling of one of the sheets he
endeaYored to tear it into shreds, but in
vain; it was made of the strongest and
finest linen. His knife, however, was
in his pocket, and hastily whipping IL
L - -, 6
Then tying them together by way Of a
rope, he fastened it about the middle of
the child.
81 Here it isP' he shouted, and at once
proceeded to lower the child into its
grandfather's outstretched arms.
A great cheer sounded up from the
multitude below, and the fremen, see
ing the precarious position, ran for a
ladder. But every instant the danger
increased, and he could now feel the |
seething fire almost catching him in its
merciless embrace.
E" 1 must jumpp he shouted, and a
hundred hands reached out to catch him
as he gave the leap.
But with ali the eagerness of those be-
meath him, they missed their reckoning }
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
pointed TO the most serious wound he
had received, and, without once opening
his eyes or giving the least sign of
he was borne to neigh
boring hospital.
It was many days before he recovered !
his senses-weeks before he could walk.
But when this stage had beeen reached |
he wassthe recipient Of good tidings.
The hundred dollars, which seemed a
fortune in his inexperienced eyes, was
certainly his; but better than this was
the news that the parents of the child
ne had saved intended to take his tu-
ture in their charge.
Since, he has become a man of high
position and unquestionable ability,
aud, whenever ne is asked how he came
by the scar on his forehead, his answer
is: 81 received it when |
was boot-black and / call it my 're-
van rro ,