The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-07-11

were r1gnt In q scnOol OF en-, SAID Duo,
rebaitiDg his hook. al say, fellows, amt
| this q long chalk better'n fre.works2"
For no matter how many times country
| boy may have been a-fshing, nor how many
fish he may have caught, the sport mast al
ways be exciting.
An exclamation of alarm from one OF their
number, as Bud finished speaking, startled
the boys; and they were good deal more
startled, and not little provoked, to see
Charley catch up one of the heavy paddles
snd plunge IT into the water with a long
sweeping stroke, the impetus of which sent
the scow forward e dozen feet.
Now look hereI"
"Boys," cried Charley, flushed and anxious
in a minute, tive may have the fireworks
| yet. See therep
| Around bend in the stream a thin blue
| line of smoke was seen curling up through
the trees, and even as the boys gazed, it sp
| pesred to increase in vclume and density.
1.-THE indians must have left itP ex-
claimed Charley, hurriedlv. "Boys-"
There was 10 need nor time Tor words
Instantly the two remaining paddles were
| Seized, and the scow was headed up and
around the bend. 1t came to them all in q
fash how strong the wind was blowing from
the west; that the woods of Dunn Town
chip, altogether propre.or's land, adjoined
Brsyto extending TO the top OF the hill
| that overlooked the village; and each boys
heart turned pale at the prospect.
"It's ell black growth, too" grosned
Charley, sand full of old dry tops, where
they've been numbering year after year
Just regular tinder-box. This wind III
carry fire from it a mile anyway. Pail,
boye, pull"
And they pulled. But the fire was getting
under good Roadway when they reached the
spot. The smoke was rolling up blacker
and thicker, and through it the boys could
see the red Pickering tongues of fame.
Will hold water" cried Charley, land wet
your jackeiE-wet yourselves sll over"
He was obeyed. Pailful after pailful of
water was dashed upon the fire. which had
been built beside an old dry pine stub; sad
they were really subduing it, when sudden
tempestuOus furry of wind scattered the
burning embers in al directions; and pres
| emily, before the boys were able fairly - re-
| aliZe that the mischief had been done, a doz
en- tiny putfs of smoke started up around. In
reality verything was dry finder.
We've got to tigh. Tight it hard, boys,
SAID Charley, between his grited teeth. 'I'd
like TO wiring the necks of of those Indians. -
Well, and how they ba.tled the fire. that
searching July day. They stamped it out;
they smother ed it with earth; thew dashed
wster over it; they stiAedit with their wet
jackets, blisieTing faces, hands, aad feet
WilhCut for q moment minding the paia
More than once they were sure
they had conquered, and made the woods
ring with shout of triumph; only TO see,
almost before the ech es died away, ano her
puff Of smoke starting up, sn another. Their
Threats were psTched, and rsttlsd when they
tried to speak, and thsir eyes were smartiug
snd infsmed with the smoke.
"It's no use, boys; we c ant do It," one or
another would say; and then they would
fall TO work with gre&ter vigor than before,
if that were possible.
1t was no boys plsy, l can tell you. Fo:
two long hours they fought the flames, with
blisteriDg hands and faces bsgr;med with
smoke and cinders. And when they saw
the fire was gaining inch by inch, they
worked still.
'Werl do all we can" painted Charley
'Oh, boys, why won't it rainI The thunder
clouds all go round. Oh, boys"
As he spoke long fiery
tongue Tapped st the foot of q
dry tree, and the flames went up, up, to the
top, with Kissing, rushing roar which
turned the boys hearts sick with dread.
"Its eone," said Chafley. ave can't do
aDy mere"
But ct the same moment came q growl of
distant thunder. A denee black cloud was
growing in the west. Through it there dart
ted vivid CLEAN of light.
"Jhurde and lightning!" yelled Bud.
"Up hcys, and st it sgainl Wen have
pleI.y - help before long"
s. j. p-oved. The cloud swept over the
Il, n. ~
short tiue the rain fell in sheets. And out
IN tho storm, the thunder crashing and the
lightning playing about them, stood ten
smoke -blsckened, drenched boys, with little
rivers Of rain wearing channels
down their sooty faces, hurrAhing with might
and msin. If 8 few tears of thankfulness
and relief mingled with rivers of rain, l do
not think any boy need have been at al
ashamed of them.
"Wel," said Charley, "we've had sour
Fourth-oi-J July fire. WORKS with q vengeance
This was when tho rain had nearly ceased
falling, and the boys had embarked for
home.
"We've had the fire anyhow" laughed
Bud, plying his paddle leisurely.
And Pm sure we've had the work.
you don't suppose twill start up again?
asked Jed MAIden, locking behind s. little
snxiouslY, AS the old scow moved slowiy
dow the stream.
"Nc," answered Charley, and he drew 3
deep breath of relief; sit can't after such a
soaking. But twas close shave, L tell you,
boys
So the towns-peoplo thought when they
hesrd the story.
"Twas q futsrste days work for us" ssid
Mr. Marden at the corner grocery next
morning. "Nothin' on earth would hs'
5aved the place eff the fred come through
there. It's sonetbin' to hrag about. Pm
proud o. the boys-I am So"
They've paid up for burning. Jennings
old barn." said Mr.. Stevens, care
fully weie hing cut four ounces of tea.
80 they hev," sssen.ed Mr.. Msrden.
And 20 the good folks OF Brsyton hsve
each and every one of them resolved tina
next year The boys shall have such q Fourth
of.July celebration as Brayton has never
yet seen.
How States Are Made.
The quarry men in the neighborhoo1 Of
Delaware Water Gap, in Pennsylvsnis, have
peculiar chisels, with which they break oh
from the rock long and thin pieces of slate
These slabs, which are generally about SIX