The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-23

they was sope-got the seed from the crab
apple, and planted them"
"John-neer' cried Dicky again.
"You may take one pin-wheel! I've got
to speak, cause it unslceps me not to
have you come to bed. just one pin
wheel. So therer'
"Behave?' said Johnny. "rn be
there in just sixteen minutes, if you
don't speak again"
"Some takes the apples and makes cider of
them. Old cider is used for vinegar:
This ended the compensation" but
in Johns haste to keep his word and
get to bed in just sixteen minutes he
made mistake, and wrote on the back
of it " Potatoes"
He smiled to see Dicky sound asleep
already; then knelt down and prayed
NOW I lay me-" with q very solemn
II think God will be sure to take
care OF me tonight so can take care
OF Dicky," thought he, creeping into
bed. He must know father and
mother have gone off, and Dicky isn't
much more'n baby" And with that
he fell asleep, holding his little brother
by the hand.
About midnight he was awakened by
the smell of smoke. If he had not been
down stairs, and if he had not felt, even
in sleep, the care of the house, dare
say he would not have walked. whats
this? Why what is itp" thought he,
raising himself on his elbow and sniff
ing,
The bedroom opened out of the sit
ting room, and the kitchen was just be-
yond. That was where the smoke must
come from, for it was the only room
that had fire in it.
johnny rose softly, and went into the
kitchen. 1t was on fire.
Probably some Goals had fallen out
of the stove door when the last stick
was put in, and had been smoldering
on the floor ever since. Now the floor.
the sink, the drop table and the sitting
room were in flames.
What should be done?
Johnny reflected. He couldn't write
a very deep compensation" but he was
just the boy to have his wits about him
when they were needed.
1.-THE first thing is to get Dickey out
of the house," thought he. The flames
are spreading to the bedroom. In a
twinkling he had him in his arms, rolled
him in shawl, and set him on the front
door stone.
Don't cry, Dicky Diver" said he,
locking him out, 'I'll come after you if
you'll be good"
Then leaving the little fellow sobbing
in utter bewilderment, Johnny rushed
back and dipped water from the barrel
to put out the flames.
1t was a hard fight for a small boy.
He could not help wondering at himself
to feel how strong he was. Pailful
after pailful he dashed on, and when
the barrel gave out he turned to the
pump in the sink. All! but the sink
door was ablaze! As fast as the fire was
quenched in one place it broke out in
another; but Johnny mastered it after
awhile.
20, if it hadn't been for my nose"
thought the brave little fellow, wading
across the floor; ''if it hadn't been for
my nose! Wonder if the fire struck
through to the cellar!''
1t had not; but. there seemed to be
smoky smell down there; and our
hero dashed water upon the ceiling,
never minding that it ran back and wet
him all over.
Quite satisfied at last that all was
right. he went to the front door and let
in bowling little Dick.
"What'd you put me out for? Say,
whatd you put me out for?"
$50 l could put out the fire, you lit
tie good-for-nc:hing fellowr' replied
JOHNNY, kissing him tenderly. "What
if you'd burnt up, and I'd burnt up,
too. sir? l guess 'twould have been
the last time mother'd have left us to
keep house. Congregationalist.