Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-01-18
A HERO.
Il Deed of Glory dat qH History Cunnot
tSutpass.

"
The New York Star gives the following
graphic picture of a scene at the disastrous
fire in a New York tenement house, on Mem.
day, January 3d,a telegraph report of which
appeared in Every EUentng of that date.
Charlie MOKenua was the little boy whs, at
the risk of his " life, saved his three
small brothers from the burning building by
a display of hsroism and courage that is
rarely exhibited in grown men The fol-
lowing is the !Star's account Of the heroic
deed :
The NsKenoa family occupied an humble
room en- tbs third floor ef the tenement hsuss
wIen tie tirs broke out on Monday. The'pa-
Charlie NcKsnua, Il years old in charge of Lls
little brothers, eRo 4 years ole, another emily 2,
snd the t;n third nsa a sleeping sae} in il. cradle:
tue little fellows goodbye, opesed the door, aud
in rushed the smoke and the fame.
In another mOment the whole nQiRhhorhocd
was aroused; tile rdjoiuIng windows we're bl.ek
with people; the screams of the dying and the
building. Charlie looked out of the winGew
and saw shat tae HanisB were mounting the fire.
Now, gentle reader, you ere doubtless sc
brave IS most men or most womcn. What wosld
you have contrIyeS to save those three little
oEss eud Yourself? Try to think of a plan that
would no. take TOO mash tiHo-for the fierce
hrs is cracking at the door and the deadly
smoke uEder it-Grd that would rot risk tho
lives and liabs Of the children.
Charlie went to the window. and the people
outside called upon him to jump. To Jump
down two stories and leave his brothers to per-
ish Z Charlie shook HIS head. He knew better
But. in looking out, le saw a number of PEG
Pie en- q shed near at hand. and he called to
them to catch whist he should throw them.
Thsy answered and encouraged him. In an ir-
giant he caught up the tiny two yoar old. held
aTd onward, as yos have seen athletes do at 4
eircns' AID threw him toward tho shed. The
people caught the child. One was saved.
Try TO think vhother you could have done
this. Would you had the nerve. the pluck. the
tsnce. the eaim srrsartb to threw the CHA FAR far
enough a,'3 not vet tso far, as this boy of four-
teen did ] Let each reader answer for himself.
and msy Heaven grant that none of rs over he
placed IL suct peril that he will be compelled
to mako the test!
The four year old child was frightened. and
would not allow Charlie to lift him eut of the
wIndew BE cried, kicked, struggled with his
preServer. Charlie felt that time and strength
ware being vaisted in this struggle. Then he
released the child wont 90 thc further end of
tae room, toek a brisk run to gain force and
Impetus. and out weat tho second brother,
thrown clear across re tie sled e,d caught by
aud What calculation thera were in this sudden
run and rush that bntb oycrpowered the ehild's
resistance and sent him flying through the air!
Would YOU haze thought of that Would ven
have dared to venture Itf Charlie did, and two
were saved.
80 49, ttNfSA hS IHtSN OIL
tbs baby as he had Sac others No; that su-
hiins RomathinIg, grauecr than raaeon, which
had controlled The little hero 9" far, now taught
him ttat the tender iRiant might be- hurt or
killed by tho fall OF through the handling of
tne crowd Ike flames were burning through
tse door; the smoke made hreatkiug almost
impossible; eUt Charlie completed kis preoars-
tons to save TIE baby as methoAicsllv MS if he
had bees safely playing on a summer afternoon
at Genital Park
First. be pat on a great coat; then bundled
up the baby and slowed it SWAY inside the
coat, where the ,stGut buttons woald support
lis weisrt. "nlle BIS LANDS were left free.
fer q luil IN the fire, and climbed down hand
over hand with the baby bundled to his brsas. .
act let 90 his held. Arrived at The 10 " ost stage
OF the escape, and afraid to draP lest he should
jar the baby, ho took of the great coat, nat the
infant ia it, as il : hsnn'esk, and gently low
cred 1t to tho people below Altar that hs
dropned d"En himself. and all were saved.
His first euxioHs question was, ola the baby
hHrI I" Another second and the four children
were embodied in their motker's arms, while a
great sheer went mp from The crowd.