Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-02-20
eastern sending its icy breath to the very

lOunu IL ON tnat chill November morning
all his former spirits returning as the last
morsel went ravenously down his throat
With bound he was off downthe street
and soon, as luck would have It, turning in
the pennies as fast as he could reasonably
desire.
=
1t was near eight o'clock that same even
ing, and our young friend, standing beneath
the light of street lamp, was turning over
in his mind whether he had best spend a
portion Of his earnings in theatre ticket
or save it for the morrow, when some one
lightly touched him on the shoulder.
Turning suddenly, he beheld the ebony
visage of a young colored waiter, with whom
he had slight acquaintance.
How are We, Sambo :" he asked, patron
izingly.
"oh, berry well, tan'ke, but Ise in pow
erful hurry, and cum over dis way to hunt
some pusson to do Inc favor"
All right, shady. Then I'm the one yer
arter How much yer goin' ter guv"
"Just one shilling, an it's only to take a
note to young colored lady dat Ibis wis
some white folks apiece up town. She's
acting in the 'pacity OBJ chamber.maid, and
her name am Sophronia Johnson"
We'll, give us the change an the letter,
an I'm off,"
"Whew p exclaimed the boy, rs he started
off with the letter in his pocket and the di.
rections in his head. The very house they
druv me from this mornin.' Wonder if the
niger 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 Of the
street piercing cry of q" Fire Fire |" reach
ed his ear; hurrying on to see from whence
it came, to her amazement, it proved to be
the very house to which he was bent on his
errand as letter carrier
The fire alarm had been sounded, and
crowd was rapidly gathering before the
door, and in among them the boot-back
was soon standing.
In some way the fire had gained a head
way before its existence had been discover
cd, and the flames were darling upward
through the wide halls and into the second
story. The staircase was wrapped in Il
wreathing cloud of smoke, and little flames
OF crimson light appeared in its midst, and
on the pavement just beyond stood gray
haired man with casped hands and face
stricken with terror.
Our young friend recognized him at once.
1t was the same old gentleman who had told
him 80 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 perishing in the flames
my child, my petw he was saying pte-
ously to himself; then turning excitodly to
the gathering crowd, he exclaimed in tones
that sounded above the din of the approach
ing engines and the hum of the murmuring
throng about him:
"A hundred dollars to the one who will
save my grandchild Who will save my
grandchild"
al will r. responded shrill voice at his
side no other than that OF the poor boot
black Of the morning
lyon are only a 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 tho second story back, in little crib"
some Of you feIars boost me onter that
ledge above the parlor winder" said the
boy to the gaping bystanders, and III have
II down in twinkling,"
Quickly they did his bidding, and in less
time than il takes to relate it he had clam
bered To the front chamber window, and
effecting an entrance, disappeared amid 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 in blanket he tore from tho rose
wood bedstead at its side.
Then pulling OF one OF the sheets he en-
deavored " tear 1t into shreds, but in vain.
II was made Of the strongest and finest
linen. His knife, however was in his peck
ct, and hastily whipping it out, he cut it into
a number Of strips.
Then tying them together by way of a
rope, he fastened it about the middle of the
child
Here il is !" he shouted, and at once pro-
ceeded to lower the child into its grand.
iathers outstretched arms.
A great cheer sounded up from the multi
tnde below, and the firenen, seeing the pre-
carious position, ran for ladder. But every
instant the danger increased, and he could
now feel the seething fire almost catching
him in its mercless embrace.
81 must jump he shouted, and humid
dred hands reached out 10 catch him as he
gave the lsap.
But with all the eagerness Of those be-
meath him they missed their reckoning and
he fell heavily 10 the ground.
Tender hands raised him, but there was
no recognition in the still white face.
A deep cash across the forehead pointed
10 the most serious wound he had received,
and, without once opening his eyes or Civ
ing the least sign Of consciousness, he was
borne 10 neighboring hospital.
II was many days before he recovered his
! senses; weeks before he could walk. But
when this stage had been reached he was
the recipient Of good tldings The hundred
dollars, which seemed fortune in his inex-
perenced eyes, was certainly his but better
, than this was the news that the parents Of
the child he had saved intended b. take his
future In their charge.
Since, he has become a man OF high posi-.
ton and unquestionable ability, and, when
ever be is asked how he came by the scar
on his forehead, bis snswcr invariably Isl:
~ received IL when boot-biaek and call II
my revenge"
The roaming correspondent OF the Bur
lt.of1n H1-aA II..sIa,sa ITALIA niaaatn0