The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-02-07

In the midst OF so much flame and smok
seemed too deep mystery, and as 500
as the grass had burned sufficiently ava
the young man returned to- look for hi
missing comrsde. When the smoke ha,
cleared the man rose from his place o
doubtful refuge and stood gasping upo
"How are you?' asked the younge
advancing toward him.
"I am very nearly boiled, that's abou
how / an," he said as soon as he coul
recover breath enough to speak. 18th
flames heated the air until was oblige
to duck nv head under, then the burn
ing reeds fell into the wa'er till thew ss
it to steaming, and when / raised N
head | got breath Of hot air that mad
me think mv choice lay between boilin
and roasting. I'd like to see the felo,
that knd!ed the fire in my place awhile
how Jared you ?"
81 am scorched soma, bat very sla
to escape so easily, although l have mo
The least desire to try it again. Blu
bark what was that1 7"
The two men listened anxiously for
moment, and the sound was repealed
striking chill to their hearts far NOR
terrible than anything they had befor
Experienced
It was human cry, and so full Of ag
onv and despair that tue two nen tfen
hled as 1t came borne across the waste
fearfully wild AMI distinct above th,
roar "f the flames. Il
"'Tls a woman's voice." said the3el
der man, as shud ler ran through ihil
frame at thought of fellow being Der
ishing horribly, so NEAR that they coulc
hear the heart-rending shrieks
"Look, look!' shouted the younge
man, pointing in the direction frou
which the sound proceeded, where, dark
ly outlined against the lurld sky, a fe
male form was visible retreating before
the danes, which every moment gained
upon her H.
SD God it is nv Lilv! nv owa prec
ious child! Is there no wav to save
her ?" exclaimed the elder man despair.
ingly, as his gaze fell upon the fleeing
girl. Is
"Alas, none," were the uuuttered
words that rose to the lips OF his com.
panion, as his eye measured the distance
and he saw how utterly futile would be
any attempt at rescue.
The father comprehended what sin.
gle glance had revealed TO the other
that the flames would overtake her be.
fore they could traverse half the dis.
tance and II would only involve a use
less sacrifice of two more lives. He raw
ed in agony. A lifetime of torture seem
ed to concentrate in the moments as
they watched the fragile girl, as she
sped hopelessly on as if striving to
evade, if only for a moment, the fate
that awaited her.
Look! look! again shouted the
young man, pointing to dark object
which neither had previously observed
1t was horseman, riding at full speed
toward the fleeing girl, dashing straight
in toward the fire as if willing to meet
the flames halfway.
To the men who watched bis course
il seemed like rushing into the very jaws
of death. but the horseman never falt.
cred. With an encouraging shout to
the girl, who now ran to meet him, he
dashed onward, unheeding the current
of heated air and sitting smoke that
was waited toward him.
"Toc latei Too latei He cannot re-
pass the ground" groaned the father,
as his eye measured the hopeless dis.
tance which lay between bis child and
sa 'ety.
"If there is man in the world who
can save her it is John Harper" said
his companion encouraginglv.
"John Harper! Is Il heS" gasped the
father, "and it was only yesterday that
| told her never to be seen in his com
pany again, and now the brave fellow is
riding straight into the flames to perish
with her." and the hopeless father
groaned in anguish.
"See! be has reached her; he swings
her tc seat behind him, and wheels
about to recross the ground" and With
cheering shout the young man endeav-
ored to encourage the heroic fellow.
"Eas he gone nsad'' be asked a few
moments later "He is not taking the
shortest cut, hut is bearing away to the
rightr'
st mat,ers not; It's but hopeless
race with the winds, and no horse in
America could run it. o, my poor child,
o, nv brave boy" and the father COW
cred his face with his bands and groan-
ed in agony.
The rider knew the strength of the
animal as well as any one; he could feel
the painting sides and note the slackened
speed of the willing beast, and clearly
realized the inability of the horse to
carry bis double burden across the in.
tervening space, but If he could urge
him to make a few more desperate
bounds he could reach the solitary tree
that stood like lone sentinel in the
midst of that scene Of terror and desc.
latiop.
The horse already staggered with ex
baustion, but with whip and voice ht
urged him on, until trembling in every
limb. he paused beside the tree
"Quick, Lily, climb for your life!" b.
said, standing erect in the saddle, arc
helping her as far as he could reach
then swinging himself up he assisted
her to seat upon branch out of tn
reach of the scorching flames.
The horse stood for few seconds, a
if to recover breath for a final effort
and freed from his burden, made anothe
effort for his own safety: He stsggere
forward, and fell upon his knees, jlst in
side the burned region, where the me
we're standing, and not moment to
, soon. The father ran to hin, an
; thro wing his arms around his neck, cs
ressed him with tears of gratitude:
"Pll take it all back, John. Yod'i
good enough for the Presidents daugi
ter; take Lily and my whole farm wit
her, if you want to, he said, as |
J grasped the brave mans hands as
{, descended from the tree.