South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-28
Romney, Hampshire County, West Va, May o,

ony visage Of young colored waiter,
With whom be was slightly acquainted.
How are yer, Samboa' he asked pat.
ronizingly. 80
'Oh, berry we'll, tank'c, but Use in a
POWERFUL hurry, and l cum ober dis
way TO hunt some pusson to do me Q
favor ~
'All right, shady. Then I'm the one
yer arter. How much yer going ter
guv?'
Just one shillin,' and it's only. to tote
q note TO a young colored lady. dat Ibis
wild some white folks piece up town.
She's actin in the 'pacity OF cham ber-
maid, and her name am Sophronia John-
SON.
well, give us the change an the let
ter, an I'm off,
'Whew ! exclaimed the boy. as he
started oil with the letter in his pocket,
aud tho directions in his heads grfhe
very house they deuy mo. fsom this
mornin.' Wonder il the niger II order
me off tho stoop?'
AS the young 'colorod gemman' hal
said. it was only a piece up town. the
house being on Fifth Avenue, Jus. g..
hove Sixteenth street.
But as the boy ncared the corner of
the street, piercing cry OF Fire |!
Fire J! 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 GRAND as let,
Ter carrier.
The fire alarm had been sounded,
and crowd was rapidly gathering be-
fore the door, and in among them tue
boot-black was soon standing.
In some way the fire had gained q
Roadway before its existence had been
discovered, and the flames were tlarting
upward through the wide halls and into
the second story. The staircase was
wrapped in a wreathing cloud of smoke,
and little flames of crimson light ap-
peared in it's midst.
On the pavement just beyond. stood
"a gray haired man. with clasped hands
and face stricken with terror.
Our young friend recognized him at
once.
1t was the same old gentleman who
had told him SO grutily to be Off that
morning, and in an instant he took it
all in. That he was the father of the
young lady lie had seen at the window
and that some one was perishing in the
flames.
My child. my pet! he was saying,
piteously, TO himself, then turning very
excitedly TO the gathering crowd, he ex.
claimed, in tones that sounded above
tho din of the murmuring throng about
him:
"a hundred dollars to the ono who
will save my grendchild Who viii save
my grandchild?'
Il will responded shrill voice at
his side; no other than that of the poor
boot-black Of the morning.
You are only child lie began.
But the boy, pointing to the .wirling
flames above him, Interrupted hastily:
Tell me where the child is, and for
Gods sake be quickv
In the second story back, in little
crib
some Of you fellows boost me onter
that ledge above the parlor winder?
said the boy 10 the gaping bystanders,
and I'll have It down In q twinkling.'
Quickly they did his bidding, and in
less time than it takes 10 relate it, lie
had clambered to the front window, au1
efrecting an entrance, disappeared a.
mos the choking smoke that was fast
filling the room.
lie soon found the crib, and taking
the little sleeper in his arms, wrapped
it up. head and foot, i'll blanket he
tore from the rosewood bcdstead at it's
side.
Then pulling or one OF the sheets he
endeavored TO tear it into shreds, but
in vain il was made of the strongest
and finest linen. His knife, however,
was in his pocket. and hastily whip
ping it out, he cut il into mum Der OF
strips.
Then tying them together by way Of
a rope, he fastened it about the middle
Of the child.
Here it is = he shouted. and at once
proceeded TO lower the child into its
grandfathor's outstretched arms.
a great cheer sounded up from the mul.
titude, below, and the fireman seeing his
precarious position, ran for ladder
But every instant the danger increased,
and he could feel the seething fire al
most catching him in its meroiloss e m
brace.
i must jumpr he shouted, and a
hundred hands reached out to catch him
as lac gave The leap.
But With ali 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 10 the still, white
face.
A deep cash across tho forehead point.
ed TO the most serious wound he had
received, and, without once opening his
eyes or giving tho least sign OF consci-
BUSINESS, he was borne TO . neighboring
hospital.
IL was many days before he recover.
eel his senses-weeks before he could
walk. But when this stage had been
reached DO was tho recipient OF good I'll
dings. The hundred dollars, which